Common Questions | Chazin

Why Your Nonprofit Needs a Conflict of Interest Policy

Posted on September 8, 2021 by Haley Neitzel

Are you one of the few nonprofit organizations without a conflict of interest policy in place? Studies show that over 95% of nonprofit organizations employ a conflict of interest policy–and with good reason. These policies offer nonprofit organizations ethical standards and protection to ensure all actions on behalf of the organization are transparent and free of potential ethical dilemmas. In this article we’ll be covering the benefits of setting up a conflict of interest policy at your organization and how you can start…

When to Seek Virtual Accounting Assistance

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Haley Neitzel

The responsibilities of nonprofit executive leaders are many but sorting through data to get a clear picture of the organization’s financial health should not be one of them. When preparing for a board meeting have you ever asked yourself, “Do I have all the important and relevant data to help board members feel assured they understand the organization’s financial position?” Do you, as the leader of an organization, truly understand your financial reports and can you clearly explain those to stakeholders in a way…

What is a Charitable Solicitation License and Do I Really Need Another License?

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Haley Neitzel

If your organization asks for donations, guess what? Most states would say you’re engaging in fundraising activities and, if they think you’re engaging in fundraising, they’ll subject you to regulation. An overwhelming number of states regulate fundraising activities through something called a Charitable Solicitation License (CSL). Although it means more forms and another license, it’s designed to provide donors with transparency and to protect the public from misrepresentation and fraud. Each state has its own…

Do Nonprofits Have to Pay Income Taxes?

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Haley Neitzel

Did you know that sometimes nonprofits must pay income tax? It’s true. Just because you have a tax-exempt status, it does not mean that you’re, well, tax exempt! The IRS incorporated into the tax codes something called Unrelated Business Income (UBI) and it’s especially for nonprofit organizations. Frequently, nonprofits have revenue that the IRS considers unrelated to…

5 Best Practices for Nonprofit Budgeting

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Haley Neitzel

One of the biggest challenges for nonprofit organizations is sustainability. Staying afloat during uncertain times can be especially tough without a proper financial plan in place. A carefully planned budget can help NPO’s maintain and improve their operations and even refocus their goals and objectives when challenges arise. Think of a budget as a roadmap that will guide your decisions on how…

The PBC Audit Checklist—and Why You Need One

Posted on May 11, 2021 by mavidea

If you’re getting close to an annual audit, you’ve probably heard the term “PBC”—but what is it and what does it mean? First, it is important to understand what an audit REALLY is. So many organizations view an audit as an opportunity to issue financial statements. It’s not uncommon to even refer to the audited financials as the auditor’s financials when, actually, it is the responsibility…

The Importance of Accounting Manuals

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Liza Gagne

Accounting manuals are key to any organization, regardless of the type. Although the task of creating an accounting manual might seem daunting, it is a worthwhile endeavor. This blog post will explore the benefits and identify the key components of an accounting manual and as an added bonus you can download a typical table of…

What is a Month-End Close and Why Does Your Organization Need It?

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Liza Gagne

When you want to change your diet to achieve better health, it is helpful to start by getting on the scale. If you don’t do this, it is difficult to determine if what you’re doing is actually working. To really be proactive, you should get on the scale regularly and consistently so you can continuously…

Nonprofit Accounting Basics: Understanding Functional Expenses

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Liza Gagne

If you have ever wanted to expand your knowledge of nonprofit accounting basics, learning about functional expenses is a great place to start. Nonprofits have unique reporting requirements that set them apart from for-profit businesses. One of these reporting requirements is presenting an analysis of natural expenses by function – most commonly through the Statement…

What’s a Statement of Financial Position and What it Can Do For Your Organization

Posted on March 10, 2021 by Liza Gagne

Professional athletes measure their performance all the time. As Peter Drucker–the man who invented modern business management–famously said, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” Even though professional athletes are not considered to be in business, they do just that. They measure their performance during each game, during each season, and during their…