Blog & Newsroom

Shuttered Venue Operators Grants and Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grants can pose accounting challenges.

On Aug. 10, the AICPA released a Technical Question and Answer (TQA) surrounding how a recipient should account for these grants. TQA 5270.01, Recipient Accounting for Shuttered Venue Operators Grants (SVOG) and Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) Grants Received Under the Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 Relief Program provides nonauthoritative guidance about how to account for SVOG and RRF grants. It applies to not-for-profit organizations who were only eligible for SVOG and private businesses entities who were eligible for both grants.

Selecting a firm to conduct your not-for-profit’s audit services can feel like a daunting task. There are hundreds of firms online and most (if not all) claim to perform not-for-profit audit services.. How can you know which audit firm is the right for your Organization?

Selecting the right audit firm is like creating a long-term relationship with a partner that is dedicated to helping your organization fulfill its mission. Selecting the wrong firm can feel like trying to swim with a 500 lb. weight strapped to your back.So how can you be sure you are selecting the best fit for your needs?

Estimates show that over 5% of all revenue is lost to fraud and theft each year. The numbers are staggering - odds are if you have not experienced it, you will.

One of the best ways to prevent fraud and theft is to implement a system of internal controls (though no system of internal control can prevent all fraud and theft). We have developed a comprehensive checklist of internal controls you should be using, but here are our top 5:

Q: As a sitting board member of an organization, can I be personally liable for the actions of the entity? 

In a word, yes.

As a member of the board of directors, you assume certain fiduciary responsibilities.

Audits are important. Investors, lenders, government agencies, potential buyers and - in the case of not-for-profit organizations, your donors - rely on audit reports to assess your organization. Audits can be long, arduous, headache-inducing ordeals…but they don’t have to be. Proper preparation can go a long way towards simplifying the audit process.

Part 5 of a 5 Part Series 

Can board members be held personally liable for actions of the organization? Yes!

Agreeing to sit on a board for a nonprofit is a great way to donate your time and expertise. However, it comes with a great deal of responsibility.

Part 3 of a 5 Part Series

An Organization’s management is charged with managing the day-to-day operations of the non-for-profit; however, this does not relieve Board Members from taking on certain oversight responsibilities.

The nature of charitable giving has changed, and there are four primary reasons for this:

• Technology has made it not only easier to give to charities, but to know about charities and how efficiently they perform.
• Changes in the U.S. tax code have created a disincentive for giving, especially for those who gave strictly for purposes of a tax deduction.
• The rise of Donor Advised Funds (DAF) has made it easier for donors to contribute meaningfully to a cause.
• Concerns for transparency and organizational efficiency have driven the need for increased disclosure and external oversight.