Nonprofit Accounting Basics (For Non-Accountants)

Curious about nonprofit finances but not sure where to start? This session is designed for non-financial leaders who want to better understand how money flows through a nonprofit and how to use that knowledge to make stronger decisions. We’ll break down key financial statements – like the statement of financial position, activities, and cash flow – into plain language and explore how budgets support organizational goals. You’ll also learn how to spot financial trends, interpret surpluses and deficits, and uncover the story behind the numbers. By the end, you’ll feel more confident navigating financial information and using it to support your nonprofit’s success.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the purpose and structure of core nonprofit financial statements
• Identify key components of the Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Activities, and Statement of Cash Flows and how they inform decision-making
• Analyze budget-to-actual variances and explore potential causes and implications
• Recognize financial trends that signal health or risk using basic analysis
• Interpret the impact of operating surpluses and deficits on long-term sustainability and mission fulfillment
• Use financial insights to support planning, resource allocation, and organizational strategy – even without a finance background