Thinking about finances during a global pandemic is not an ideal place to be, but it was exactly the situation Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO) faced when David Fisk joined the organization in 2020. The immediate task for him? Make a decision about their accounting systems going forward.
David led a formal request for proposal (RFP) process, evaluating three firms to find the best fit. By the end, the decision was unanimous. “There was no doubt in our minds at the end of that process,” he recalls, “that picking Chazin was the smart decision to make.”
A Mission Requiring Performance and Precision
Each season, CSO presents approximately 175 concerts, reaching more than 160,000 music lovers. The organization also supports four youth orchestras and offers educational programs designed to serve under-resourced communities.
Under the leadership of Music Director Kwamé Ryan, CSO’s 65 full-time professional musicians play a vital cultural and civic role in Charlotte, uniting the region through music. Guided by its mission to ignite the human spirit through the passion and unifying power of live symphonic music, CSO is the oldest continuously operating symphony orchestra in the Carolinas and continues to bring exceptional musical experiences to diverse audiences across Mecklenburg County and beyond.
The Challenge: Complexity at Scale
With performances happening week in and week out, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra operates within a highly complex financial ecosystem. Dozens of concerts and funds flowing across various programs and purposes add significant layers to day-to-day accounting. That complexity increased further in recent years as CSO undertook efforts to raise endowment funds, introducing additional requirements related to restricted, unrestricted, and campaign-specific funds.
With so many priorities in motion at any given time, working with accountants who understood the complexity of nonprofit fund finance was not a wish list item—it was critical to protecting the symphony’s mission and ensuring financial integrity.
At the same time, CSO was not only evaluating accounting systems; the organization was also rethinking the structure of its entire finance team. When David stepped into his role, CSO had an outsourced Assistant Vice President of Finance and wanted to preserve that continuity while outsourcing controller and accounting functions. Flexibility became just as important as technical expertise.
Why Chazin? How the Partnership Took Shape
From the first interactions, David and the finance committee recognized a team that understood the realities of a complex, performance-driven nonprofit and could meet those needs with both rigor and adaptability. Chazin’s experience across nonprofit finance, combined with a service model that could evolve alongside them, offered reassurance at a moment when stability mattered most.
Founder Adele Chazin’s direct involvement reinforced that trust. Her hands-on approach signaled a level of accountability and long-term commitment that resonated with leadership—this wasn’t a transactional engagement, but a partnership designed to last.
The partnership quickly became embedded in the symphony’s day-to-day operations. Chazin stepped in as an extension of the finance team, providing outsourced controller and accounting services and offering interim CFO- and VP-level support as needs shifted. Over time, their role expanded well beyond closing the books. The team ensured audit readiness year after year, created a comprehensive accounting manual to formalize internal controls and approval processes, and brought efficiency to segregation of duties and cash handling.
“It is very important that you work with a team of accountants that you can trust and rely on.” — David Fisk
Equally important, Chazin understood the nuances of operating within a unionized environment by ensuring payroll and labor-related processes were handled accurately and compliantly. For an organization balancing artistic excellence with financial stewardship, Chazin delivered something essential: Confidence in the numbers, dependable support, and the freedom for leadership to stay focused on advancing the Symphony’s mission through music.
A Partnership That Adapts
A reliable, responsive partnership has allowed CSO’s leadership to move forward with confidence, knowing the financial foundation beneath their work is strong, accurate, and prepared for what’s next. With audits running smoothly year after year, the organization no longer has to divert energy toward financial uncertainty or corrective action.
Instead, clarity has created space for leadership to make informed decisions, for staff to focus on delivering exceptional performances, and for CSO to expand access to music throughout the community. As Charlotte Symphony Orchestra continues to unite the region through the transformative power of live music, Chazin remains a steady partner behind the scenes, supporting the structure that allows the music to lead.
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With over 20 years working exclusively with nonprofits, we pride ourselves in having a unique understanding of nonprofit accounting needs. We believe that nonprofits deserve personalized, quality service and should not settle for a one-size-fits-all approach. We collaborate with you to provide a fully virtual and customized solution that is not only cost-effective but also strengthens your accounting function. We offer a team of industry experts at your disposal to provide advice, leading technology, and to supplement existing staff to improve efficiency and compliance.