Bookkeeping/Financial Management

Organization Resources and Best Practices

• Council of Nonprofits
• Nonprofit Accounting Basic$
• Propel Nonprofits

• Samples: View all Financial Management examples in ACCE's Samples Library

Accounting

• ACCE QuickPoll: Chamber Accounting Practices
• The Basics of Not-for-Profit Accounting and Financial Statements - Chamber Executive magazine
• Cash vs. Accrual: The Basic Accounting Types - Chamber Executive magazine
• Nonprofit Accounting Basics: Accounting and Bookkeeping Articles - Accounting for Fundraising Expenses, Government Grants, Special Events, and Donors and Sponsorships
• Nonprofit CFO Survival Guide: A Mini "Field Manual" (2016 ed.) - Intacct
• Nonprofit Finance and Accounting Study - Abila, Inc.
• Tips for a Successful Chart of Accounts Restructure - ASAE
• What’s Taxing Nonprofit Accounting and Finance Professionals? - Associations Now article by Katie Bascuas (11/12/2015). Highlights results from two 2015 surveys that show some of the biggest challenges facing accounting and finance professionals in the nonprofit industry.
• Would You Drive Blindfolded? - Article by Joan M. Renner of Renner and Company, CPA, PC
• Year-End Survival Guide for the Nonprofit Accountant (2016 edition) - Abila, Inc.

Budgeting/Cash Flow

• See also the related Chamberpedia page on Budgets.
• Anticipating the Year: Budgeting - Chamber Executive magazine
• Budgeting: A Guide for Small Nonprofit Organizations (PDF) - A free resource provided by the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants
• Balance Sheet Cheat Sheet - The balance sheet - also called the Statement of Financial Position - serves as a snapshot, providing the most comprehensive picture of an organization's financial situation. It reports on an organization's assets (what is owned) and liabilities (what is owed). Resource from the Nonprofits Assistance Fund.
• Nonprofit Budget Tips for a Healthy New Year - article available from Common Good Vermont
• Cash Flow Projection Worksheet - Understanding the ebbs and flows of your organization's cash will help you make smart management decisions that protect your core programs and overall sustainability. 
Managing cash flow requires three steps: planning the use of cash, anticipating any problems, and responding with appropriate management actions. Resource from the Nonprofits Assistance Fund.
• Managing Cash Flow Resource Article - While standard nonprofit financial reports - the Budget, the Income Statement and the Balance Sheet - provide important management information, these statements alone do not tell whether there is enough cash on hand to pay for the unexpected heating repair, to take on a new program opportunity, or even cover payroll next month. For this, effective cash flow management is essential. This resource will help your nonprofit manage your cash flow by explaining why, when and how. Resource from the Nonprofits Assistance Fund.
• Can You Afford to Pay Back Wages? - Article by Sarah Sheila Birnbach makes clear the back wages requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), other federal statutes, and analogous laws at the state level.

Financial Planning

• The Critical Numbers You Need to Know for Business Success - American Express OPEN Forum
• Financial Literacy by Annuity.org - This guide on financial literacy covers topics like setting a budget, how to use credit responsibly, planning for retirement and much more to benefit consumers of all ages.
• Financial Management Self-Assessment Tool (PDF) - From the Nonprofit Association of Oregon
• Financial Policies Library - From the Nonprofit Assistance Fund and includes Definitions, descriptions, and examples of policies for a variety of nonprofit financial activities.
• Introductory Financial Information: Fundamentals - For a nonprofit to understand and assess their financial condition, assess their financial management practices, and identify priorities for planning. From the Nonprofit Assistance Fund.
• The Nonprofit Starvation Cycle - Funding strategy guide from The Bridgespan Group and covers building robust infrastructure “which includes sturdy information technology systems, financial systems, skills training, fundraising processes, and other essential overhead”
• See more best practices on Financial Reserves on the Financial Investments Chamberpedia page.

Taxation Resources

• Audit Committee Checklist - From the Robert C. Harris Nonprofit Center
• Exempt Organizations Taxation Resources - From the American Institute of CPAs
• Best Practices for Exempt Organizations and Form 990 - Article from the Journal of Accountancy (September 2010)
• Benefits of Audit Committees and Audit Committee Charters for Not-For-Profit Organizations (PDF) - Audit Committee Brief from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

ACCE Affinity Program

• Patriot Software - Offers simple and affordable online time and attendance, payroll, and accounting software for small businesses.

ACCE’s Partner Resources from Insperity

• Administrative Productivity Needs Assessment (March 2011)
• The Advantages of a Cloud-Based Travel and Entertainment System (October 2012)
• Basic Payroll Terms Every Employer Should Know - Part One, A-N (October 2012)
• Basic Payroll Terms Every Employer Should Know - Part Two, O-Z (October 2012)
• How Software Can Strengthen a Nonprofit's Accountability (May 2013)
• Pay Up – A Step-by-Step Guide to Establishing a Payroll Process - Part One (August 2012)
• Pay Up – A Step-by-Step Guide to Establishing a Payroll Process - Part Two (August 2012)
• Ten Common Payroll Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them - Part One (September 2012)
• Ten Common Payroll Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them - Part Two (September 2012)
• Ten Tips to Help You Control Employee Spending (August 2012)
• Top Six Benefits of Installing a Time and Attendance Solution (April 2013)
• Top Ten Bookkeeping Mistakes Any Business Owner Can Make (June 2013)
• Twelve Key Performance Indicators You Should Keep an Eye On (July 2013)
• What to Look For in Financial Management Software (October 2013)
• Find more Insperity Resources

Related Chamberpedia Topics

• Annual Reports and Financial Reports
• Audits
• Being a Non-Profit Legally and Competitively
• Budgets
• Fiduciary Responsibility

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Last Updated: 11/30/2017