Commons Collection – Fiscal Operations Resources

Financial Management Best Practices

Tips & Insights

• Introduction to Nonprofit Finance
• 12 Characteristics of Financially Healthy Nonprofits

Videos & Webinars

• Best Practices in Financial Management for Nonprofits (Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta)

Tools & Templates

• Nonprofit Financial Infrastructure Self-Assessment (Wallace Foundation)

Articles & Case Studies

• An Executive Director’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership

Deciding to Outsource

Tips & Insights

• IN is OUT and OUT is IN: Outsourcing the Finance or Accounting Function in a Nonprofit

Articles & Case Studies

• A Storm is Brewing: The Accountant Shortage Is Already Affecting Nonprofits

Fiscal Staffing

Tips & Insights

• Bridgespan Nonprofit CFO Resource Center

Financial Policies & Internal Controls

Tips & Insights

• Financial Management resource page (National Council of Nonprofits)
• Financial Policy Guidelines and Example (Nonprofit Financial Commons)

Tools & Templates

• Accounting Procedures Manual Template (Blue Avocado)
• Nonprofit Fiscal Policies & Procedures: A Template and Guide (CompassPoint)
• A Sample Nonprofit Financial Policies and Procedures Manual (FT&M)

Charts of Accounts

Tips & Insights

• Establishing a Nonprofit Chart of Accounts (Jitasa)
• What’s Wrong With Your Chart of Accounts and the Solutions You Need to Make It Right

Videos & Webinars

• What Is a Nonprofit Chart of Accounts?

Tools & Templates

• Unified Chart of Accounts

Revenue Recognition

Tips & Insights

• Charitable Organizations – Substantiating Noncash Contributions (IRS)
• GAAP Requires Nonprofits to Report In-Kind Donations on Financial Statements (HBK)

Audits

Tips & Insights

• Nonprofit Audit Guide (National Council of Nonprofits)
• Nonprofit Audits: A Complete Guide to Financial Auditing (Jitasa)

IRS Form 990

Tips & Insights

• Instructions for Form 990 – Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax
• What to Look For When Reviewing the IRS Form 990 Before Filing