For Nonprofit Boards, Numbers Are a Necessity As a Board member for a nonprofit organization, you’re expected to attend Board meetings, monitor fundraising and management, digest reports, and help the organization determine its strategic direction. You’re also expected—and, indeed, compelled by law—to oversee the organization’s finances as part of the fiduciary responsibility of a Board. …
Category: Nonprofit Best Practices
[Case Study] Parish Drives 22% Increase in Donations with Sage Intacct
After falling behind on annual audits, St. Columba’s recognized it was time to make a change and brought in a team from Chazin & Company. The Sage Intacct Accountants Program partner conducted a full assessment of St. Columba’s financial operations and recommended specific next steps to revamp the Church’s processes. Chazin & Company streamlined the…
The Chazin Way
How can an accounting partner help your nonprofit overcome common challenges? The world of nonprofits is comprised of many different types of organizations. All 501c organizations face challenges that are unique to the nonprofit sector. One thing that all nonprofits have in common is the need for high-level accounting and financial oversight. Not having your…
5 Outsourced Accounting Myths
If you’re running a nonprofit, odds are you’ve considered outsourcing all or a part of your accounting and finance function. That makes perfect sense. Outsourcing is a cost-effective way to access expert nonprofit accounting and finance resources and create a high functioning accounting and finance department. One of the common myths listed below, however, may…
Creating Good Accounting Habits Is Important for New and Smaller Nonprofits
Leaders of nonprofits that are just getting started, or are relatively small, are generally focused on getting their organization up and running, raising money, and delivering on their mission. That’s to be expected. Properly tracking the financial activity of the nonprofit, and installing best practices, does not tend to receive the attention it deserves early on. There are accounting rules that…
What Your Numbers Can Do for You: Taking Advantage of IRS Form 990
IRS Form 990 is more than just a tax form that many nonprofits must file every year. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate to the IRS, as well as to current and potential stakeholders, that your organization is well-run and financially sustainable. It is also an opportunity to showcase key mission-centric programs. IRS Form 990 can…
A For-profit Accountant Can Be a Valuable Nonprofit Treasurer
Are you a for-profit accountant looking to put your skills to use for a favorite nonprofit cause? Then becoming a nonprofit treasurer might be a great fit for you and for the nonprofit. The treasurer position is a leadership role on a nonprofit’s Board of Directors. Board members have fiduciary duties such as overseeing the organization’s…
How to Review Financial Reports: A Guide for Nonprofit Boards (Part 1 of 3)
One of the most important duties as a member of a nonprofit’s Board of Directors is the stewardship of the organization’s financial resources. Board members play a pivotal role in monitoring the financial health of the organization. In fact, it is the fiduciary responsibility of the Board to do so. One of the ways the Board achieves this is by regularly reviewing several different financial reports. These financial documents…
How To Present Financial Reports to Nonprofit Leadership
If you work in the accounting and finance department of a nonprofit organization, you will likely be required to prepare and present financial reports to members of leadership or other stakeholders in your organization. While this may seem overwhelming, there are steps you can take to ensure you present financial reports effectively and confidently. This…
Budgeting for Nonprofits: An Introductory Guide
You might have a personal budget where you track your income and expenses to stay informed of your finances. Similarly, a nonprofit budget is a plan for how an organization will spend and allocate its money and includes a comprehensive list of revenue and expenses. Though a nonprofit budget is more complex than a personal…