Chris Herr has spent more than two decades working alongside government entities, school districts, and nonprofit organizations to help them navigate increasingly complex financial and regulatory environments.
At Maillie, Chris leads by making the complex manageable, staying ahead of what’s coming, and being the kind of partner clients can rely on year-round, not just during audit season.
In this conversation, he shares what’s changed in the industry, what clients truly need today, and why the right advisory relationship makes all the difference.
Q: When you think about your government and nonprofit clients today, what feels most different or challenging compared to even a few years ago?
A: The biggest challenge is just the sheer volume of new rules and regulations. It feels like every year there’s something new, and everyone’s trying to keep pace. At the same time, I’m seeing a lot of change on the client side as well, especially with retirements and staffing challenges in key roles. So, when you’ve got fewer resources internally, and more complexity externally, trying to manage both at once can be really tough.
Q: With that level of complexity, how do you move beyond compliance to be a more proactive advisor to your clients?
A: There’s always the day-to-day piece and being available to clients when something comes up. Whether it’s a bond issue, a payroll question, or something operational, we’re there for those conversations. But the bigger part of it is staying ahead of what’s coming.
It starts well before the audit. If there’s a new requirement about to take effect, we’re talking to our clients months and sometimes years in advance so they’re not caught off guard by changes. It’s also important to break things down in a way that’s manageable for them. That might be a one- or two-page summary or a spreadsheet they can work from. The goal is to give them time and clarity, so by the time we get to the audit, the hard part is already done. There are no surprises.
At the end of the day, it’s not enough for us to understand it. We want to make the information usable for our clients so they have time well in advance to address any issues on their end. If everything runs smoothly for them, it runs smoothly for us too. It’s all connected.
Q: Talk to me about the importance of open communication between clients and the Maillie team.
A: It’s critical. Clients know they can reach out to me anytime, but they also have direct access to the managers and staff, really everyone on the team.
It’s not a situation where communication is filtered through one person. They know the team, and the team knows them. That open line of communication makes everything easier and more streamlined. Depending on the situation, our clients can easily go directly to whoever they need.
Q: How does that level of access and communication impact outcomes for clients?
A: It allows us to be efficient when it matters most. When we get the audit underway, that shared knowledge and deep insight across the team lets us move quickly. That keeps disruption to our clients’ routines and operations to a minimum and allows us to issue reports as quickly and efficiently as possible. That’s important, because they need audit results for budgeting, planning, and day-to-day decision-making. Getting them accurate information, on time, without disruption is our focus.
Q: There’s sometimes a perception that more complex work requires a national firm. How do you think about that?
A: Honestly, everyone is following the same rules and regulations, whether it’s a small municipality or a large state entity. We consider ourselves experts in those rules and how to apply them. That’s where the value comes from. It’s not a choice about the size of the firm. It’s about the team’s expertise and how well they can guide clients through the rules that leads to success.
Q: Can you share an example of how your team has made a meaningful impact for a client?
A: It’s not really a singular example, but one situation we see pretty regularly is clients who come to us behind on their audits, sometimes by several years. That can be a pretty stressful place to be. We take a lot of pride in helping them get back on track. Within 12 to 18 months, we’re typically able to get them caught up and into a normal cycle. That’s a big relief for them, and it sets the stage for a strong relationship going forward.
Q: What do you think is behind the long-term relationships Maillie has built with clients in this space?
A: We have a large, dedicated team that focuses specifically on government and nonprofit work. That’s what they do year-round. There are firms that handle this type of work on a smaller scale or as a secondary focus. That’s not how we operate. Our team knows this space inside and out. It’s their specialty, it’s their focus, and it’s what they’ve built their careers on. That level of focus makes a difference for our clients and it’s why our client relationships don’t just last, they grow over decades.
