Theo here again. Dan, the question of using the same wages for multiple funding or credit purposes is certainly an important part of this discussion. For nonprofits that received government funding, the treatment of wages can require careful review before claiming the Employee Retention Credit. There were organizations that benefited from the… Read more

Theo here. Joseph, I can see why the board might be confused. They may simply be looking at two different views of the organization’s finances without enough explanation of how the figures relate to one another. My view is that finance reports provide the formal accounting picture, while fundraising reports provide a relationship and development… Read more

Making financial information understandable to board members is a surprisingly important skill. Not everyone around the table will be comfortable with accounting terminology, and that is perfectly normal. I think the real goal should be helping members recognise what the numbers are saying about the organisation. Clear dashboards, simple… Read more

I like the emphasis on stewardship here because board finance should be about more than simply checking whether the numbers balance. Board members need enough financial understanding to connect decisions with the organisation’s mission and the people it serves. That also means asking thoughtful questions rather than trying to become accountants o… Read more

Hello Bradley. It is a difficult situation when a volunteer feels unappreciated, especially when you are already relying on a small group of people. Rather than looking for one person to handle everything, could you consider a fractional CFO or bookkeeping service? They could handle areas such as deposits, reconciliations, and reporting without… Read more

Hello Janet. This is certainly one of those standards that can make a relatively simple situation feel rather complicated. If your organisation has experienced very few write-offs historically, that experience is certainly relevant when estimating expected credit losses. I would be inclined to start with the actual historical experience rather… Read more

Getting your head around the ERTC can feel a bit like having a first date with the tax code. The webinar sounds like a wise move, as the finer details can trip up even experienced professionals. One important point, as I understand it, is making sure you are not claiming wages that were already covered by PPP forgiveness. Think of them as separate… Read more

Ah, the classic DAF attribution puzzle. Many organisations get caught up in this, and it can feel like navigating a labyrinth. If you credit the individual, you risk misrepresenting the legal source when those grant letters arrive. The DAF sponsor is generally the legal donor for tax and audit purposes. I would suggest using a note field for… Read more

When looking at nonprofit finances, overhead ratios tell only a fraction of the story. I think it is worth considering operating reserves, revenue diversity, and whether the organisation publishes clear annual reports. Donors may also learn more by looking at unrestricted cash flow rather than focusing too heavily on administrative percentages.… Read more

When considering nonprofit tech stacks, the sheer number of platforms can feel rather overwhelming. I would start with a simple list of what you actually need before chasing shiny integrations. Things tend to work better when leadership has a clear direction, because even good software cannot resolve an unclear strategy. Peer communities like this… Read more

Reserve investing is one of those quieter areas that can have a big impact. In my experience, a conservative mix of short-term bonds and money market funds can help balance accessibility with a reasonable return. The right approach will depend on the organisation’s circumstances and investment policy. A clear investment policy statement is also u… Read more

Government funding can be a bit of a double-edged sword, can it not? In my experience, it is worth allowing some of the grant budget for compliance work, such as tracking, audits, and staff time. The exact amount will depend on the grant, but planning for these costs early can prevent surprises later. Good accounting software can also make the… Read more

For learning Form 990 preparation, I’d start with the IRS instructions and prior completed returns before buying expensive books. There are also several nonprofit accounting courses and practical guides available online. Personally, I find working through an actual 990 alongside the instructions far more useful than simply reading theory.

Property use fees would not normally be treated as donations simply because the property is nonprofit-owned. I’d look at whether the payment is actually rental income, program service revenue, or something else. The Form 990 instructions are worth checking carefully here, as the classification can affect reporting.

I don’t think a 990 alone tells the whole story. It can highlight useful financial and governance information, but context matters when interpreting unusual figures. Looking at the organisation’s wider operations and recent history can provide a much clearer picture.

Jordan, I have been having the same problem too.
I think I’ll try Riley’s suggestion.

Thank you Eli.

I’ll try it out.

This has been an issue for me too. Thank you for sharing.