2. A nonprofit organization performs a “social good” and with no single profit takers .
The Board of Directors are responsible for the actions and decisions of the nonprofit in
service of the mission that works towards social good. The Board makes decisions about the
organization through set policies and procedures and are fiduciaries of the organization
(responsible for the financial and all other actions and decisions of the nonprofit).
Issues of concern for financial decision making are
Management of the mission and money
Accountability
Fiscal imperative to follow the money
Management tools
Impact on mission
3. Important elements of good financial management and decision making is imagined as a tree (see
next slide)
The roots are adherence to the principles of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, policies and procedures, the liquidity
target, full cost pricing, budgets and variance reports, financial statements (cash flow, activity and financial
position, the annual audit and adherence to FASB and GAAP practices.
The trunk of the tree is the Hedgehog Principle (Collins, 2001) that includes the right people in the right
position performing the right jobs, facing the facts (even when difficult), a disciplined approach (reporting
transparently, in compliance with outside standards such as the GAAP guidelines and the IRS
requirements), and quick analysis (that assess the likelihood of uncertain events impacting the nonprofit).
The leaves of the tree are the optimal organizational stack that includes unrestricted funds production,
capital assets, endowment, and costs such as employee benefits, program services costs.
The nurturing weather is management of risks, liabilities and employee benefits – all carrying unknown
potential debt to the organization.
The sun represents leadership, when at level 5 the leader “builds endring greatness through a paradoxical
blend of personal humility and professional will” (Collins, 2001, p.20).
Other resources are good use of technology, current and potential supporters and the needs of those
served by the mission.
5. Elements necessary for proper accounting
Budgets
are projections of expected revenues and expenses
Three types of budgets
Operating budget
Capital budget
Cash budget
Financial reports
created with set frequency quarterly, monthly weekly or “on the spot”
Generate data to use with ratios for assessment
Statement of Activities – “The statement of activities presents the increases and decreases
…of the net assets over a period of time” (Ruppel 2007, 46).
Statement of Cash Flow gives a statement of receipts and disbursements of cash that
include
operation activities
investing activities
financing activities
and shows the organizations ability to meet its cash needs
Statement of Financial Position- a “snap shot” of the current condition of the nonprofit
appropriate, timely acknowledgement of gifts.
6. The uncertainty of risk requires that thought be given to the possible
consequences of decisions and weighing the pros and cons of the possible
outcomes
and
Creation of contingency plans to protect the nonprofit when an undesirable
outcome occurs.
Tools to help assess the risks and benefits follow in the next slide
7. Tools for diagnostic purposes
Balanced scorecard
Vinfen’s balanced scorecard
SWOT analysis
Three dimensional portfolio
Quick Analysis
Tools for diagnosing the financial health
Financial Statement Analysis
Independent Auditor’s Report
Comparative Financial Statements
Financial Expense Ratios
Program expense to total expense ratio
Management to general expense ratio
Fund-raising expense to total expense ratio
Contribution revenues to fund-raising expenses ratio
Financial ratios evaluate the state of the organization and its financial health and are used by funders, donors and those issuing credit.
8. Each evaluation and assessment tool is useful in identifying specific areas that the
Executive Director, the Board of Directors and outside funders may require. Critical to
using the reports for maintain a strong nonprofit is a cushion of liquidity or a liquidity
target in the event of an unforeseen expense or shortfall in funding. Ultimately, the funding
is to serve the mission, vision and goals of the organization, but good management of the
funds, the generally accepted accounting principles and accepted practices of the Financial
Accounting Standards Board will help the Executive Director and Board maintain a strong
nonprofit.
Included with the actions of the decision makers are policies, procedures and
recordkeeping that create sound financial management practices
9. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statement of Activities – “The statement of activities presents the increases and decreases
…of the net assets over a period of time” (Ruppel 2007, 46).
Statement of Cash Flow gives a statement of receipts and disbursements of cash that include
operation activities
investing activities
financing activities
and shows the organizations ability to meet its cash needs
Statement of Financial Position- a “snap shot” of the current condition of the nonprofit
10. Reporting the financial health of the organization is essential!
Each nonprofit must file a form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service. The different forms for
filing are:
990 N for small tax-exempt nonprofits
990 PF for Private Foundations or Non-exempt Charitable Trust
Form 990 and the accompanying schedules based on related items that are reported for other
nonprofits.
Additionally, nonprofits must make the From 990s available to the public upon request.
Another essential report is an independent audit performed by an independent from the
organization accountant.
11. The leadership of a nonprofit needs to know (how to)
read financial statements, understand the structure of donations, restricted and unrestricted,
expenses, revenues assets and liabilities.
Understand the method of accounting – accrual or cash basis
Understand fund accounting
The impact of a strategic plan on finances
Know the history and process for acquiring financial support through donations, grants and
the government
Know the process of donation acknowledgement
Understand and oversee liquidity management by considering risks, and uncontrollable cost
such as employee benefits and program expenses.
Joint and individual cost allocation
The basics of working with affiliated organizations
The effect on the nonprofit when Unrelated Business Income is generated (and how to report)
related party disclosures, other accounting areas
Familiarity with GAAP and FASB
and make decisions.
12. In summary, financial decision making for nonprofits must use
accurate information
appropriate reports
analysis to ensure accuracy
accountability
the flexibility to cope with unforeseen issues that may impact the financial health of the
organization while using the resources and funds designated for the mission for that purpose.
In an effort to serve the public trust, the nonprofit must reduce expenditures, increase funding sources
and act responsibly with regard to the requirements of funding and related reports.
The organization is able to move beyond being a “good organization” to a “great organization when
the leadership looks objectively at the business and culture of the nonprofit, considering allocation of
funding towards mission promotion and is able to ask the hard questions. When the organization is
willing to take steps towards growth, the right people in the right jobs with the right skills can work
together and move beyond actions that sustain into actions that foster growth and innovation.
13. Resources:
Behn, R. D., & Vaupel, J. W. (n.d.). Quick Analysis for Busy Decision Makers. In R. D. Behn, & J. W.
Vaupel, Quick Analysis for Busy Decision Makers (pp. chapters 1-4). New York: Basic Books.
Brinkerhoff, P. C. (2009). Mission-Based Management Leading Your Not-for-Profit. In P. C.
Brinkerhoff. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Collins, J. (2001). Good to Great. In J. Collins, Good to Great (pp. 90-117). New York: HarperCollins.
Zietlow, J., Hankin, J. A., & Seidner, A. (2007). Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations,
Policies and Practices. In J. Zietlow, J. A. Hankin, & A. Seigner, Financial Management for Nonprofit
Organizations, Policies and Practices (pp. 1-347). Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
