Nonprofit Internal Controls: The Essential Guide to Fraud Prevention
Nonprofit internal controls were the missing piece that led to a significant loss of funds for a beloved community organization we recently reviewed. Sadly, the cause wasn’t a sophisticated cyber-attack but a simple lack of oversight in their accounts payable process. Consequently, this vulnerability allowed a trusted volunteer to divert small amounts of cash over […]
Restricted vs Unrestricted Funds: Nonprofit Accounting Guide
Restricted vs unrestricted funds management is the absolute cornerstone of nonprofit financial integrity and donor trust. However, many organizations struggle significantly to keep these buckets separate, leading to commingled cash, inaccurate reporting, and eventual compliance nightmares. If you want to survive your next audit and build lasting relationships with major donors, you must track spending […]
Nonprofit Bookkeeping Grant Tracking: The Fund Accounting Guide
Effectively, nonprofit bookkeeping grant tracking is the ultimate test of an organization’s financial discipline. However, you cannot successfully fulfill your mission if you do not know exactly which dollars are restricted and which are available for operations. Specifically, implementing robust nonprofit bookkeeping grant tracking throughout the year is the only way to ensure compliance and […]
Cash vs Accrual Accounting: Which Method Fits Your Business?
Effectively, choosing between cash vs accrual accounting is one of the first and most critical financial decisions a business owner makes. However, many entrepreneurs simply default to whatever their software suggests without understanding the impact. Specifically, this choice determines when you pay taxes, how you view your profits, and whether you can secure a loan. […]
Top Bookkeeping Mistakes: How to Spot and Fix Them Fast
Effectively, avoiding top bookkeeping mistakes is the fastest way to protect your business’s cash flow. Unfortunately, many owners unknowingly commit errors like commingling funds or ignoring reconciliations until tax season arrives. Specifically, these slip-ups compound into cash surprises, tax exposure, and bad management decisions. Below, we highlight the top bookkeeping mistakes we see most often […]
Bookkeeping Cleanup Preparation: How To Lower Your Costs
Effectively, bookkeeping cleanup preparation is the single biggest factor in determining the final cost of your project. However, many business owners simply hand over a shoebox of receipts and hope for the best. Specifically, this disorganized approach leads to higher fees, longer turnaround times, and unnecessary questions. Below, we outline exactly how to gather 12–24 […]
Can a Bookkeeper Help During an IRS Audit? What to Expect
Effectively, receiving an audit notice is one of the most stressful moments a business owner can face. Naturally, your first question is likely: “Can my bookkeeper help me get through this?” The short answer is yes. Specifically, while a bookkeeper cannot legally represent you in tax court, they play a critical role in organizing records, […]
Chart of Accounts: The Strategic Blueprint for Business Profitability
Chart of accounts design is effectively the backbone of your entire financial system, yet many business owners treat it like a junk drawer. Specifically, they toss new expense categories into the mix whenever a confusing transaction appears, creating a chaotic list that makes no sense. Consequently, this disorganized approach leads to financial reports that hide […]
Embezzlement Prevention: How to Detect and Stop Employee Theft
Effectively, preventing embezzlement is one of the most uncomfortable but necessary responsibilities of a business owner. Sadly, employee theft often starts small—a disguised invoice here, a personal charge there. Specifically, without proper controls, these small leaks compound into devastating losses. Below, we outline exactly how to detect red flags, implement segregation of duties, and stop […]
Documents for Your Bookkeeper: The Ultimate Checklist for a Smooth Handoff
Effectively, gathering the right documents for your bookkeeper to review is the single most important step you can take to ensure accurate financials. However, many business owners find this process overwhelming, leading to delays and increased costs. Specifically, providing a complete, organized set of records allows your bookkeeper to work efficiently, catch errors early, and […]