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4 Quick Ways to Improve Your Charity Accounting

More than ever, nonprofit organizations must improve their efficiency in light of the rising volume of donations. Charity accounting plays an important role in the efficiency formula. Without it, your nonprofit can later experience financial difficulties.


A nonprofit or charity requires a lot of financial management even though it is not operated for making cash. Money is involved in almost everything, from modest fund-raising efforts to significant corporate donations. Accounting is always present where there is money.


In this article, we will help you better understand how nonprofit accounting can be taken to the next level. Fasten your seatbelt and let’s start digging into better understanding the nonprofit market!





Understanding the Nonprofit Organization Market


Nonprofits have demonstrated extraordinary resilience in the face of the worldwide pandemic, the racial justice uprising, and the general disquiet and turmoil in our nation. In recent months, the sector has felt more crucial and significant than ever before.


The number of charitable and nongovernmental organizations worldwide in 2021 was above 10 million. Both in the United States and in Canada, the nonprofit market is an ingrowing sector which has more and more strict accounting regulations. To have a better understanding of how important the nonprofit world is, let’s take a look at two essential markets:


1.    Nonprofit Organizations in Canada


A significant portion of the Canadian economy and a major influence on Canadians’ lives is the charity and non-profit sector. But a lack of data is a problem for the charity sector. However, the sector’s perspectives are evolving. A federal advisory committee on the charitable sector was created in 2019 within the Canada Revenue Agency. The federal government became better aware of the sector’s relevance from the start of the pandemic t in early 2020.


Right now, the priorities for improving the nonprofit world in Canada are:


  • Modernizing governmental regulations in relation to the nonprofit sector

  • Supporting organizations that help vulnerable people

  • Examining the legal and regulatory challenges that Native American groups and others  are confronted with in the area of charity

  • Examining the regulatory approach to charity account purposes and activities, particularly its effects on nonprofit organizations working with non-qualified donors and nonprofit organizations participating in revenue-generating activities

  • Enhancing the gathering and analysis of data relevant to the nonprofit sector.


While the data is lacking, the charitable sector in Canada is ever-growing, therefore nonprofit bookkeeping became a quintessential activity.


2.    Nonprofit Organizations in US


Charitable groups in the US run large-scale organizations that offer accessible services for deserving causes. Millions of Americans are employed by nonprofit organizations, which contribute significantly to the US GDP. Additionally, over the previous ten years, the revenue of these organizations has increased by more than twice.


Nonprofit organizations typically invest their earnings back into the organization to further the its main goal. In the last two years, NGOs in the US have generated billions in both total revenue and program revenue. In fact, according to nonprofit statistics, 2019 was one of the best years for philanthropic giving in the US ever. However, revenue for charities in the United Kingdom has also surpassed billions.

Right now, there are nearly two million 501(c)(3) charities and charitable organizations that operate in the US. Churches and religious groups are the most common sort of nonprofits in the US, followed by civic, social, and business organizations. All these organizations have to make sure that their charity accounting is in-line with the market regulations.


4 Quick Ways to Improve Your Nonprofit Accounting


As the nonprofit sector keeps on developing, its charity accounting functions have to keep up. In the following part of the material, we will introduce four tips and tricks aimed to help you smoothen the financial activities of your nonprofit organization.


1.    Constantly Review Charity Taxes


In most scenarios, a nonprofit organization is not required to pay income taxes, however, charity taxes should be always reviewed as they depend on various items, such as the field of your activity.


A nonprofit organization may be required to pay taxes in some circumstances, such as when money was used for non-charitable purposes or when it was given to them in a way that necessitated tax payment. For instance, income from selling ice cream may qualify for income tax reasons if the nonprofit organization ABC was established to offer refuge for the homeless. However, because nonprofits are subject to more regulation, the tax benefits come with increased inflexibility.


However, the regulations are constantly changing, so it is for the best to review the taxes you have to pay on a yearly basis.


2.    Ensure Fraud Prevention


The nonprofit industry is oftentimes handling huge amounts of money. For the benefit of its donors, staff, and beneficiaries, a non-profit organization’s primary duty is to prevent fraud and other dishonest practices. Therefore, the cash flow should always be checked in order to avoid fraudulent transactions and other financial issues.


For best results, a nonprofit organization should have internal auditing and controls, as well as set policies and codes that are intended to stop fraud within the organization.


3.    Work with Nonprofit Accounting Software


Selections of nonprofit accounting software enable nonprofits to precisely manage the intricate financial requirements for establishments of any size.

Oftentimes, a charity account  prefers utilizing nonprofit accounting software for industry-specific tasks, particularly fund accounting and the real-time collection of donations, as opposed to relying on a general-purpose company accounting system with basic accounts receivable (AR) and payable (AP) capability.

The use of nonprofit accounting software increases the likelihood of your charity accountant to:


  • Be more organized when preparing your taxes.

  • Set up donor recurring contributions.

  • Follow developments in nonprofit purchasing


4.    Work with a Nonprofit Accountant


The distinction between for-profit and not-for-profit accounting is evident; the latter manages money to support the organization and forward its objectives rather than producing revenue, which is for-profit accounting’s primary objective. No matter what the national accounting regulations are, there is no one better knowledgeable in charity law and taxation than nonprofit professionals.


When doing nonprofit bookkeeping, it is essential to work with an accountant that specializes in not-for-profit accounting because it differs significantly from other types of accounting. Additionally, candidates should have the knowledge and expertise necessary to manage funds responsibly while supporting the organization’s vision and objectives.


Are You Ready to Take Your Charity Accounting to the Next Level?


The success of a non-profit organization depends on good nonprofit accounting. An organization can operate as long as feasible and further reach its objective by following these accounting tips and other nonprofit accounting techniques.


However, there’s no need to do it on your own. Zivo can be the ace up your sleeve. At Zivo, we believe that there is already enough pressure on nonprofit executives to succeed and increase the effectiveness of their organizations while seeking to maintain a healthy work-life balance. We are here to assist you with your nonprofit financial services because of this.


Set up a free consultation with us today, and let’s get to work on your nonprofit accounting structure!

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