Bank Accounts for Nonprofits

• Most nonprofits will need several bank accounts, and flexibility within solid relationships is a must. Convenience and no check-writing fees are also desirable. By Estela Kennen.
  
  Source: Suite101.com   |  Published: 2007

Banking for Nonprofit Organizations

• How nonprofits can successfully get loans. Banks will be looking for financial viability and internal controls, and a plan.
  
  Source: Smart Business Houston   |  Published: 2007

Guide to Basic Bookkeeping

• This is an introduction to the very basics of bookkeeping: assets, liabilities, balance sheets, etc. If you are unfamiliar with elemental accounting (and don't have a professional or trained person who is) this is a good place to start. Did we mention that having an accountant on your board is a good idea?
  
  Source: Village Volunteers   |  Published: 2007

Guide to Basic Bookkeeping for Nonprofit Organizations

• 66-page PDF briefly explains basic bookkeeping principles before launching into a full description of a manual bookkeeping system.
  
  Source: Self-Help Housing   |  Published: 2002

Internal Controls: Safety Tools that Should Make Cents for Every Nonprofit

• When some nonprofit CEOs and senior managers hear the words, "internal controls," they cringe, roll their eyes or, in some cases, break into a sweat. They shouldn't, because internal controls are more about effectively running your nonprofit than maintaining compliancy with overweening industry watchdogs. This article explains how internal controls can add accountability, fraud prevention, and efficiency to your organization's financial operations. It also discusses the different areas in which they are necessary, and tips for implementing them. Written by Melanie L. Herman.
  
  Source: Michigan Nonprofit Association   |  Published: 2002

Internal Reporting for Good Management

• The board of directors and senior staff need timely and accurate reports to be able to make good decisions. This group of articles outlines the statement of financial position, the statement of activities, the statement of functional expenses, and cash flow statements. How to make them, how often, who should see them. By Elizabeth Hamilton Foley.
  
  Source: Nonprofit Accounting Basics   |  Published: 2007

Seven Ways to Reduce Your Audit Costs

• Audits are getting more expensive, and many nonprofits have seen them as necessary expenses to suffer, not manage. Dennis Walsh relays some methods of saving money when it comes to auditing your financial system. Negotiating and requesting different CPA reports are just a couple.
  
  Source: blueavocado.org   |  Published: 2009

Notes from Annual Budget Planning

• This page contains key notes from the yearly annual budget workshop held by the Nonprofits Assistance Fund. It is a goldmine of practical advice on why annual budgets fail, faulty steps and assumptions, how to budget for a surplus, working with the board, and a host of other budgeting issues. Not wordy, full of content, just perfect.
  
  Source: Nonprofits Assistance Fund   |  Published: 2008

Lessons for Boards, from the Nonprofit Overhead Cost Project

• Here is a great article detailing how boards can organizations can improve financial controls, financial reporting, financial staffing and organizational effectiveness. Beautifully laid-out in an 11-page PDF.
  
  Source: Urban Institute & Indiana University   |  Published: 2004

ECFA Standards and Best Practices

• The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability has created a “best practices” guide to help churches and para-church organizations. The rules are compatible with nonprofits. This 16-page PDF presents EFCA standards in one column, and ideal practices in an adjoining column for contrast. Very useful for understanding accountability standards.
  
  Source: ECFA   |  Published: 2009

The Board's Fiscal Responsibilities

• Highlights the ways in which a board should be involved in the financial matters of a nonprofit. There are especially useful questions that will help board members evaluate the financial health of their organization. Written by ECFA vice-president Dan Busby.
  
  Source: ECFA   |  Published: 2006

Quality Financial Reporting: What is the Board's Responsibility?

• Also by Dan Busy, this short article outlines how a nonprofit can maintain excellence in financial reporting. Issues include reviewing your conflict of interest policy, creating an auditing comittee, choosing the right auditing firm, and understanding financial statements.
  
  Source: ECFA   |  Published: 2003

Fiscal Management (Organizational Effectiveness Series)

• This is the ultimate guide to nonprofit fiscal management. It covers general basics of a fiscal management system, financial planning and budgeting, financial statements and reports, cash management and accounts receivable, audits and internal control, and cost allocation and decision making.
  
  Source: National Minority Aids Council   |  Published: 2003