No not-for-profit looks forward to annual audits. But regular maintenance and preparation specific to an impending audit can make the process less disruptive. We recommend taking the...
Are you ready for endowments?
With baby boomers — the largest and wealthiest generation in U.S. history — expected to transfer trillions of dollars worth of assets in the next few decades, this could be the right time to launch an endowment. This article explains the two main types of endowments, describes the pros and cons, and addresses managing assets and spending restrictions. “Quasi” endowments also are discussed.
Using audit techniques can help shape your nonprofit’s future
Whether or not a nonprofit uses an independent auditor once a year, it can employ moves from an auditor’s playbook to get a better view of the organization’s revenue picture. This article discusses techniques such as pinpointing year-to-year trends and benchmarking to other nonprofits, which can be useful in planning a nonprofit’s short and long-term future.
Fraud and the nonprofit – How to counter your vulnerabilities
Every organization — whether for-profit or nonprofit — is at risk of falling victim to costly acts of fraud. Nonprofits, though, have some common characteristics that can make them particularly susceptible to such schemes. This article discusses organizational weak spots and advises on ways to combat risks by implementing some simple controls.
Five Reasons Your Organization Needs an Audit Committee
Success for not-for-profits (NFPs), regardless of their type or size, is built on a firm foundation of fiscal accountability and governance. NFPs can access expertise in these areas – and in the process more successfully fulfill their strategic goals – by leveraging the knowledge and experience of audit committees.
Your nonprofit’s bylaws
Has your organization outgrown its bylaws? Sometimes, as a nonprofit expands and matures, the guiding rules set when it was just a twinkle in its founders’ eyes need to be revisited and brought up to date. Revising your bylaws involves more than just altering the language of rarely visited documents. The process provides you with an opportunity to look closely at how your nonprofit is evolving and whether such developments are consistent with your original mission.
Update: nonprofit fraud
Every two years, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) publishes what has become the definitive guide for preventing and detecting workplace fraud. The recently released...
Is your nonprofit’s tap running dry?
The COVID-19 crisis has put enormous financial stress on many not-for-profits — whether they’re temporarily shut down or actively fighting the pandemic. If cash flow is a problem, your...
Main Street Lending Program open to nonprofits
In late July, the Federal Reserve announced that not-for-profit organizations may now apply for loans under the $600 billion Main Street Lending Program. Previously open only to...