Why Posit Bet on Numeric’s AI and Close Tools to Transform Their Work

Posit is the open-source data science company, providing software tools and platforms that help organizations like NASA and Pfizer scale data science successfully. Having grown from three founders in 2009 to nearly 400 employees today, Posit embodies the innovative, forward-thinking ethos of the data science community they serve.

Supporting this growth is Posit's 9-person accounting team, led by Accounting Manager Ann Vermeersch and Senior Accountant Jennifer Feucht. Their team believes in leveraging technology to eliminate manual work and help focus on strategic insights that drive business growth.

But their journey to accounting excellence wasn't always smooth. For three years, they struggled with a close management solution that felt more like a burden than a benefit.

When Enterprise Software Becomes More Burden Than Benefit

Posit’s initial accounting challenges stemmed from making a software purchase before having complete clarity across the team’s workflows and SOPs. As such, months into using the tool, the team realized that their purchase was inconsistent with the team’s size and needs.

"That tool was just huge—like huge companies use it. We were a team of two or three at that point," explains Vermeersch. The mismatch was immediate and painful.

The problems went far beyond size. The tool had an archaic interface that felt cumbersome and unintuitive. The transaction syncs that happened overnight meant the team couldn't review entries in real-time, creating delays that stretched their close to seven days. And most frustrating of all, the system seemed to require double work to complete tasks correctly.

When Posit hired a new CFO three years ago, she immediately questioned why they were paying for software that wasn't being used effectively. Her directive was clear: either make that solution work or find something better when the renewal came up.

The Search for Something Better: Finding Numeric

When renewal time arrived, Feucht took charge of the evaluation process. But this time, things would be different.

"We didn't have a choice before. When the renewal came up, I was like, 'Hey guys, we didn't have a choice. Let's choose to be with our current tool, or let's just go see what's in the market.'"

Her research was thorough, and the team evaluated multiple vendors, including FloQast, CloseCore, and others. But the Numeric demo was clearly a notch above:

"When we did our Numeric demo, it just kind of blew everyone else out of the water," says Vermeersch. "It just seemed way more advanced than anybody else."

Three key factors made Numeric the clear winner: the AI-powered features that promised to eliminate manual flux analysis work, the modern user interface that felt intuitive rather than archaic, and perhaps most importantly, the real-time NetSuite integration that would eliminate the overnight delays that had plagued their prior experience.

A Night and Day Difference in Implementation

The contrast between implementing the first solution and implementing Numeric couldn't have been starker. Where the prior tool had taken over a year to get running, Numeric was operational within a single accounting cycle.

The smooth implementation was largely thanks to Posit’s solutions consultant from Numeric, who understood their challenges from an accountant's perspective.

"He was super knowledgeable and he was an accountant," explains Vermeersch. "Having somebody who's on the same level, like, 'Yep, I'm an accountant. I know what you're looking for. I'm not a software person or an engineer. I'm not a salesperson. I’m just a true accountant,' and he really helped us succeed."

Beyond that, Numeric’s hands-on approach included one-on-one training sessions with team members and constant availability through Slack and calls, ensuring everyone was comfortable with the transition.

“Having Real-Time Integration is Huge”

Once operational, Numeric immediately transformed how Posit approached their month-end close.

"Having the real-time integration in Numeric is just huge," emphasizes Vermeersch. "That just speeds things up so, so quickly. Beyond that, I'm able to review tasks pretty much as quick as the team puts stuff in. So when an entry gets in, I don't have to wait till the next day to review it."

This real-time capability enabled the team to compress their close from seven days to just two and a half days—a transformation that combined new CFO leadership with the right technology tools.

AI-Powered Flux Analysis: An Accounting Partner You Can Trust

One of Numeric's most impactful features for the Posit team has been the AI-powered flux analysis. For Vermeersch, who handles month-over-month reviews, the AI explanations have become an indispensable part of her workflow.

"That flux analysis is like my AI friend during month-end close," she explains. "I'm like, 'You tell me what's going on here.' It's almost like you have another partner, right? You have another reviewer that you can kind of depend on to look at your financials and give you their thoughts on it."

The AI doesn't just save time—it enhances accuracy and provides a starting point for deeper analysis. Vermeersch often collaborates with team members, asking them to verify or expand on the AI's explanations, creating a collaborative review process that combines AI with human expertise.

Customer Service That Goes Above and Beyond

When it came time for Posit's financial audit, Numeric's customer service truly shone. The team was struggling with their prepaid schedules and how to present them to auditors in the right format.

"I'm still not crazy about our prepaid schedules and how they come out at audit time," recalls Vermeersch. "We got on a call with our solutions person and I was like, 'Hey, this isn't working for us,' and he's like, 'Okay, I know what they're looking for. I know what you can give them.'"

The Numeric team didn't just provide generic advice—they jumped on calls to help solve specific audit challenges. "They were like, 'Give them this and see if that works out. If not, come back to us and we will work with you to get you what you need.'

This level of support made all the difference during a high-stakes audit process. "There was no pushback at all. It was like, 'Yeah, let me jump on the phone and help you,' and that makes all the difference in the world."

The Partnership That Keeps Evolving

For Posit, choosing Numeric wasn't just about getting better software—it was about finding a true technology partner. The team appreciates Numeric's commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.

"I like companies that are very tech-forward and always looking at how they can leverage technology to make their products better," explains Feucht. "I like to see companies that are constantly trying to evolve and constantly trying to move and aren't in a stagnant state."

This evolution mindset has led Posit to continuously expand their use of Numeric. Perhaps most importantly, the team has found a true partner in Numeric—one that understands their challenges, provides responsive support, and continues to innovate alongside their growing needs.