basic controller & advisory CFO services

Our core work includes serving as your controller (accounting manager) and advisory CFO.  (“Advisory” means that we don’t make final decisions, but make recommendations to you.)

For less than the cost of a full-time CFO, you have access to a full fractional team.

Aside from closing the books at year-end, the accounting services include reviewing your books monthly and helping you ensure that all transactions are accurately captured in the correct line item, function, grant, and any other categories included in your accounting system structure, and that we understand the nature of each transaction.

It also includes accounting advice as needed, and any desired support for transactions and filings. Each client has a different set of needs in this area, but here are a few examples:

Compliance

  • Form 1099s

  • Escheat reports and payments to the state

  • Charitable solicitation licensing

  • IRS notices

Financial Planning and Strategy

  • Develop and implement financial strategies and plans to support the organization's mission and goals

  • Work closely with the executive team and board to align financial plans with overall organizational objectives

  • Provide financial forecasts and projections to guide decision-making

Accounting

  • How to capture all the many pieces of information for a fundraising event

  • How to treat the purchase of an asset to be paid for by a grant

  • What language to include in a contribution acknowledgment (“tax receipt”)

  • How to account for a fiscal sponsorship

  • How to account for endowment gifts

  • (these are just a few examples – there are many questions that arise, and we are here to help!)

Technology

  • We get bulk discounts on many of the software products you need for accounting, and we offer them to our clients at a discounted cost.

  • We help you implement new software as needed and within our areas of expertise.

  • We help you to integrate various external software and online platforms with your accounting software. (Ex. Square and other revenue platforms)

Our Controller/CFO services importantly include regular touchpoints with you, as well as serving as a nonvoting member of your finance committee and joining some or all board meetings. We interact regularly with management and the board to ensure that we understand your strategy and goals so that we can help you implement and achieve them.