{"id":7684,"date":"2021-08-20T11:12:09","date_gmt":"2021-08-20T15:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/?p=7684"},"modified":"2026-01-15T12:01:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T17:01:22","slug":"channel-zero-improves-a-p-efficiency-50-with-sage-intacct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/channel-zero-improves-a-p-efficiency-50-with-sage-intacct\/","title":{"rendered":"Channel Zero Improves A\/P Efficiency 50% with Sage Intacct"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/category\/money-matters\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Money Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tChannel Zero Improves A\/P Efficiency 50% with Sage Intacct\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2021-08-20T11:12:09-04:00\">August 20, 2021<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"Channel Zero Improves A\/P Efficiency 50% with Sage Intacct\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/channel-zero-improves-a-p-efficiency-50-with-sage-intacct\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/author\/andrewsevillia\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2021\/07\/Andew-Sevillia.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"Andrew Sevillia\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Andrew Sevillia<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Launched in 2000,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.chz.com\/\">Channel Zero<\/a>&nbsp;is an independent Canadian media company that owns over-the-air channel CHCH-TV and specialty channels like Rewind and Silver Screen Classics. Its operations span marketing and advertising solutions, local news production, broadcast operations, real estate holdings, film sales and distribution, and a creative production arm that brings scripted and unscripted projects to life with innovative partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We recently caught up with Cathy Mewett, vice president of finance, and Natalie Clarke, accounting manager at Channel Zero, to understand how implementing Sage Intacct turned out to be a \u201cgame-changer\u201d for their team. In our latest&nbsp;customer story, they walked us through how they navigated the complexities of remotely managing a multi-entity corporation during COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since deploying Sage Intacct, Channel Zero has benefited from the following results:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increased overall finance efficiency by 25%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improved AP efficiency by 50%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shifted time into forward-looking analysis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gained more predictable, transparent cash flow<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sped audit cycle by a week<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-smooth-implementation-leads-to-instant-efficiency-improvements\">Smooth implementation leads to instant efficiency improvements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like many companies, Channel Zero\u2019s finance team started out using Intuit QuickBooks to manage their business. After a 2010 acquisition of CHCH-TV essentially doubled the company in size, they added on an accounting system called Adagio to better manage their more complex entities. However, they soon realized that it wasn\u2019t possible or efficient to operate over 13 entities, all with different revenue streams, on two platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe analyzed each entity and its particular needs, taking a close look at payables, receipts, and documentation. A big requirement for us was to be able to easily and accurately allocate intercompany expenses across our entities \u2014 and all in the cloud,\u201d explained Mewett.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After evaluating a range of options, such as Microsoft Dynamics GP and Oracle NetSuite, Sage Intacct rose to the top of the list for its&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/sage-business-cloud\/intacct\/additional-financial-management-modules\/consolidation-accounting\/\">seamless multi-entity management<\/a>&nbsp;and its tight integration with Salesforce. Key to the implementation process was support provided by Sage Intacct consulting partner,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theanswerco.com\/\">The Answer Company<\/a>. \u201cThey gave us incredible one-on-one time and focus, and presented us with a plan of attack.\u201d Mewett noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She added, \u201cHaving the system\u2019s sandbox environment was also a huge help, as it gave us a place where we could learn about and test features.\u201d The&nbsp;Sage Intacct sandbox&nbsp;personalized and controlled environment helped them set up their chart of accounts, entity structure and integrations \u2014 and understand the resulting impact \u2014 before pushing everything live. By thoroughly learning and adopting Sage Intacct, the seven-person Channel Zero finance team was able to quickly see a 25% increase in overall efficiency across their department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-electronic-processes-keep-multi-entity-financials-on-track-amidst-a-pandemic\">Electronic processes keep multi-entity financials on track amidst a pandemic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The timing of Channel Zero\u2019s decision to shift to a modern, digitized financial system proved to be especially important \u2014 and ultimately was an impetus for even further transformation at the company. Less than a year later, the onset of COVID-19 accelerated the organization\u2019s adoption of fully paperless, electronic processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the company prepared for remote operations last year, Mewett and Clarke recall that Sage Intacct supported a smooth and painless transition. \u201cWhen the pandemic hit, the fact that we were already running our systems on Sage Intacct made it incredibly easy to adapt, since our backup and supporting documentation was already stored in the cloud. It was amazing how we could all move home with our laptops and there was no paper that needed to come with us. It would have been extremely challenging had we not been on Sage Intacct,\u201d noted Mewett.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sage Intacct\u2019s multi-entity capabilities, such as intercompany allocations, were particularly critical for handling the financial complexities of so many distinct lines of business. Time-sensitive processes like the month and year-end close, which were inefficient and rarely happened on a predictable schedule, are now on time and consistent across all entities. Monthly reconciliations, which used to take multiple days, are now fully automated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Channel Zero also benefits from the increased transparency Sage Intacct provides into the financial health of each of its entities and more. The system\u2019s flexible reporting dimensions allow the team to uncover valuable insights, such as sales by filmmaker and by project, travel and entertainment expenses by employee, as well as to track advertising sales by agencies and their individual clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPreviously, we were only ever able to look at our profit and loss statements and try to blend them together using painfully manual processes. Now, running projections, cash flow forecasting, and budgeting is so easy \u2014 with Sage Intacct, we just press a button and run a report, which can be quickly communicated to shareholders,\u201d commented Mewett.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-expanding-the-value-of-cloud-based-financials\">Expanding the value of cloud-based financials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the Channel Zero finance team has seen substantial improvements across nearly all of their processes, they still have plans in the works to further explore Sage Intacct\u2019s capabilities. The current top priority is the same one that helped them make the decision to go with Sage Intacct originally: its&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/sage-business-cloud\/intacct\/platform\/salesforce-integration\/\">seamless integration with Salesforce<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re in the final stages of integrating the two best-in-class systems. Once that\u2019s sorted, we\u2019ll have a bi-directional flow of information from accounting to sales, giving the finance team real-time access to the sales pipeline and our reps unprecedented visibility into the payment status for each client \u2014 a huge win,\u201d explained Clarke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith the additional bandwidth that implementing Sage Intacct has given us, we\u2019ve only just scratched the surface of what our team can accomplish,\u201d Mewett elaborated. \u201cWe\u2019re looking into how we can further automate our workflows, for example, by integrating an expense management app and connecting Sage Intacct with our bank to upload file transfer records for electronic payments. There\u2019s so much potential, which is exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Sage Intacct\u2019s powerful functionality, Channel Zero is now empowered to not only access the data their teams need when they need it, but to use that data to inform their next steps and decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Discover Sage Intacct<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get to know the new cloud accounting and financial management solutions for your industry\u2019s specific needs.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/sage-business-cloud\/intacct\/quickbooks-alternative\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tid=\"cta-id-6876\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-button-location=\"cta_box\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Learn more about Sage Intacct<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1331173398-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1331173398-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Launched in 2000,&nbsp;Channel Zero&nbsp;is an independent Canadian media company that owns over-the-air channel CHCH-TV and specialty channels like Rewind and Silver Screen Classics. Its operations span marketing and advertising solutions, local news production, broadcast operations, real estate holdings, film sales and distribution, and a creative production arm that brings scripted and unscripted projects to life [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1272,"featured_media":172,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,11],"tags":[],"business_type":[99],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[100],"imagine_tag":[],"coauthors":[366],"class_list":["post-7684","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-matters","category-strategy-legal-operations","business_type-medium-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-ca","author_name":"Andrew Sevillia","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2019\/01\/GettyImages-612742822_super.jpg","imagine_tags":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice Canada English","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7684","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1272"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7684"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7684\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/172"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7684"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7684"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7684"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=7684"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=7684"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=7684"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=7684"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=7684"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=7684"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=7684"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}