A CPA turned Business Central expert is the new ERP Practice Lead for Boyer & Associates. Jennifer Bonenfant brings more than 30 years of finance and ERP experience, combining deep accounting knowledge, delivery leadership and real-world customer perspective.
Bonenfant began her career as an auditor and controller in the 1990s. At each new role, her employers asked her to support internal ERP implementations. In 1999, she helped modernize the operations of the University of Virginia Fund and Alumni Association, advocating for the selection of Navision (now Dynamics NAV).
“I was an early adopter. … I saw the product grow, and we used every corner of it. It was great,” Bonenfant said. She was a key part of the university’s eventual upgrade to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, NAV’s cloud counterpart.
When her family moved to Illinois, she decided to take the plunge directly into ERP consulting. As a CPA who has sat in the client seat, she understands the pressure customers face during an implementation.
“I’ve been in their seat before, so I know how uncomfortable it can be. They still have a job to do while implementing new software, so I’m always mindful of their time,” she said. “I understand their priorities and what success looks like for them.”
A Business Central expert and enthusiast
Bonenfant has led ERP implementations for nonprofits, multinational operations, faith-based organizations, professional service corporations and complex multi-entity businesses.
“I’m enthusiastic about Business Central, so I’m always happy to learn something new and help a different customer achieve their goals. I’m an accountant, so the ability to leverage Excel and the familiar look and feel across products is a huge advantage,” she said.
A recognized Business Central speaker and expert, Bonenfant currently serves on a committee with other Business Central thought leaders to shape reporting and priorities for the cloud ERP’s twice-yearly updates.
“It’s rewarding to lean in with peers across the Microsoft Dynamics Community and contribute features and functionality that add value for users,” she said.
A connected, AI-first approach
Bonenfant met the Boyer team in 2021, when she worked for one of the company’s nonprofit partners. Boyer’s emphasis on connected systems impressed her.
“It’s exciting to see project management and Power Platform tied so closely to the ERP delivery team,” she said. “In many organizations, those sit in separate buckets. At Boyer, they’re much more connected.”
Boyer’s investment in AI was another major draw. By her second day, Bonenfant was already jumping into projects and thinking about how customers could embed AI into their Business Central environments.
“I’m most excited about the M365 Copilot products. They’re going to change how we deliver,” she said. “I really appreciate that Boyer’s leadership is investing in those tools and making them available. That is not the norm.”
Her favorite Microsoft AI use cases involve Copilot in Excel. She has used it to speed data migration, reformat legacy data, and build data exchanges for ACH and positive pay layouts.
“Count me in. 20 minutes as opposed to six hours? I’ll do that every time!” she said.
On the home front
Bonenfant and her husband of 30 years, David, grew up in Florida and attended the same high school. They currently live in Bloomington, Illinois, with their youngest son, Ryan, a high school freshman. Adam, their oldest son, is attending law school in Florida, and their daughter, Leigh, is at the University of Tennessee.
When she’s not at work, Bonenfant spends most of her time either outside on their pontoon boat or taking road trips with the family. “We like to be together,” she said.
In the fall, Bonenfant and her husband often head to Knoxville to visit their daughter and cheer on the Vols. Bonenfant is a member of the University of Tennessee Family, serves as a Trustee for Alpha Chi Omega and is the Chairman for Central Catholic High School Advisory Board.
