Non Profit Accounting FAQs
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Who do you work best with?
Nonprofit organizations that want clear, reliable financials and a partner who understands mission-driven work. Common clients include 501(c)(3) charities, associations, membership organizations, religious organizations, and foundations.
How is nonprofit accounting different from regular small-business accounting?
Nonprofits often must track how money comes into an organization and how it is spent for grant reporting and restricted funds tracking, along with regulatory reporting. Reporting to boards, funders, and regulators is required even at a small scale creating a need for accounting sophistication that is well beyond that of a similarly sized corporation or business.
What types of services do you provide to nonprofits?
We help with the financial reporting and planning – monthly bookkeeping, board reporting, and forecasting and budgeting. These services include fractional CFO and fractional controller support. We also help with the financial operations for nonprofits – invoicing, bill pay, and payroll processing.
Can you help us set up or clean up our books?
Yes. Many nonprofits come with legacy charts of accounts, partial grant tracking, or years of catch-up work. Cleanup typically includes reorganizing the chart of accounts, aligning funds and programs, fixing prior-period entries, and reconciling bank, credit card, and payroll activity.
Do you support grant and restricted fund tracking?
Yes. We help design and maintain systems that track grant budgets, expenses, and remaining balances by funder and program. You receive reports that align with grant agreements and make it easier to complete interim and final funder reports.
Can you work with our board and finance committee?
Yes. Many engagements include preparing board-ready financials and presenting them at regular meetings. We help interpret the numbers, explain variances in plain language, and support board members in understanding the organization’s financial health.
What software and systems do you work with?
Common accounting platforms include QuickBooks Online and other cloud systems used widely in the nonprofit sector, like Sage Intacct. We can also collaborate with your donor CRM, payroll systems, and grant management tools to streamline data flow and reduce manual work.
Do you help with budgets and forecasts?
Yes. We work with staff and leadership to build annual budgets by program, fund, or department. We can also create rolling forecasts and cash flow projections to help you plan hiring, programs, and reserves with fewer surprises.
Do you assist with audits and Form 990?
We do not act as your auditor, but we help you get ready: preparing schedules, supporting documentation, and answering auditor questions about the books. Yes – we can file your form 990.
How do you support compliance and internal controls?
We help design simple, practical internal controls around cash receipts, disbursements, approvals, and segregation of duties appropriate for your size. Our processes and documentation support compliance and give leadership and funders more confidence in your financial systems.
What does onboarding look like?
Onboarding usually starts with a discovery meeting to understand your programs, funding sources, and current systems. We review your existing books and reports, identify cleanup or redesign needs, and then agree on a monthly process, deliverables, and timelines.
How do your fees work?
Most nonprofits prefer a fixed monthly fee based on budget size, transaction volume, and the level of support needed. Separate pricing is available for one-time projects such as historical cleanup, system implementations, or intensive budgeting engagements.