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When Does Your Nonprofit Need an Audit?

The Charity CFO

Contrary to what many people envision, a nonprofit audit doesn’t usually start with a letter from the IRS. Instead, an independent nonprofit audit is something you choose to build trust in your nonprofit organization. So it’s not always a wise investment for some smaller nonprofits. . situation. .

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Do Nonprofits Use Cash or Accrual Accounting?

The Charity CFO

But that’s not quite true—nonprofits face a decision between 2 different accounting methods for tracking their financial activity: cash accounting vs. accrual accounting. Is your nonprofit required to use accrual accounting? So which accounting method is right for you? What is the Accrual Accounting Method? Accounts payable.

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Fund Accounting for Nonprofits & Charities

The Charity CFO

Nonprofits often receive donations or grants designated for a specific purpose–like a donation to a specific program or grant you have to spend within a calendar year. And the issue of restricted funds presents unique bookkeeping and accounting challenges for a nonprofit that a for-profit company doesn’t face.

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Nonprofit Accounting Basics for Founders, Board Members & Executives

The Charity CFO

If you’re like most nonprofit leaders, you’re not researching nonprofit accounting basics to satisfy your curiosity. with this overview of nonprofit accounting basics. . What is nonprofit accounting? The basic accounting principles for nonprofit organizations are the same as accounting for for-profit companies. .

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The Basics of Nonprofit Bookkeeping

The Charity CFO

Do a Google search on nonprofit bookkeeping, and you’ll find page after page of articles on nonprofit accounting. Because while nonprofit bookkeeping and accounting are related, they’re not the same thing. Furthermore, nonprofit bookkeeping differs in some critical ways from for-profit bookkeeping too. Manage payroll .

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Statement of Activities: Reading a Nonprofit Income Statement

The Charity CFO

The Statement of Activities is the Income Statement of a nonprofit organization. As a nonprofit, you call the difference between revenue and expenses the change in net assets. . NOTE: For a nonprofit organization, revenue also includes non-cash gifts, like in-kind donations of goods or services. Or profit. .

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Understanding Functional Expenses for Nonprofits

The Charity CFO

Functional expense reporting confuses many first-time nonprofit bookkeepers and executives. But it is need-to-know-information in the nonprofit world. Because you’re required to report functional expenses to complete your IRS 990 and maintain nonprofit status. Don't hire the wrong accountant for your nonprofit!