In the realm of government operations, efficiency and transparency are top priorities. This holds true not only for government employees, but also for the constituents they serve. That's where the introduction of a web pay portal comes into play, revolutionizing financial management in the public sector. With this technological advancement, both government employees and constituents can experience a win-win.

By leveraging a fully integrated web pay portal – a key component of your accounting system -– government employees can streamline their financial tasks, easing the burden of administrative work and enabling them to focus on their core responsibilities. Payments are

As any professional will tell you, collaboration enhances the ability of each party to get more done. Separately, only so much can be accomplished, but together, greater things can be achieved. Examples abound of brands collaborating with other brands to enhance and amplify their success.

The same scenario plays out with your accounting system. Your current accounting system may be great at handling nonprofit accounting – but what about endowments?

Endowment accounting can be complex. AccuFund offers an Endowment Management System that can work with your existing accounting software to streamline the complexities of endowment accounting. Separately, each system is

What is government accounting software? How can it help you with government accounting basics?

Government accounting software is specifically designed with the financial, accounting, and reporting needs of municipalities, counties, townships, special districts, and other local government entities in mind. Such software differs considerably from general business accounting software. Most government accounting software is set up to handle the unique needs and regulatory requirements of local governments, which often have complex budgeting, accounting, and reporting structures in place.

Think of it like this: many software companies release specialized editions of their basic business packages for various industries. A contractor or

This past year may have been the breakthrough year for artificial intelligence (AI). It seems as if you couldn't turn on the news or visit your favorite website without stories breathlessly touting the latest AI innovation. While it may appear like AI is new, it's not entirely new; the technology behind the latest surge of AI-based products has been on the market for several years, quietly improving automation and saving nonprofits time, money, and resources.

According to a survey from Smartsheet, 40% of workers surveyed say that they spend at least a quarter of the work week on repetitive

As the year draws to a close, everyone's to-do list grows longer and longer. For the nonprofit accounting team, the to-do list includes year-end close.

It's a labor-intensive and all-encompassing process, but one that is vital for the financial health and success of a nonprofit organization. Ensuring you have the data you need in the correct format will help you deliver critical reports to stakeholders as required.

The following steps have withstood the test of time among many NPOs who have found them to save time and effort. Taking time now to prepare for your nonprofit’s year-end financial close will

Building dashboards for your nonprofit is like baking a cake – you must have the right ingredients. But even the right ingredients can make a terrible cake if they aren’t combined in the right proportions.

A nonprofit dashboard varies according to the users’ needs. Some users need a deeper look into an organization’s finances. For them, the “ingredients” draw more from the accounting and financial side of the software than other data. For others, the final “cake” has to be shared with people outside of the organization, so the presentation is everything. Here’s how to make the ultimate nonprofit dashboard.

Like any good novel, a writer’s ability to integrate multiple storylines helps create an engaging and impactful experience for their audience. A great novel leaves you thinking about its story days, weeks, and months after you’ve finished.

The same holds true for nonprofit financial storytelling – with the weaving together of financial data/results/analysis from all departments, you can show a great story – the effectiveness and reach of your organization and its impact on your community.

The result?
Unite team members. Improve transparency. Secure more donors. Secure more grants. Attract skilled talent. Build Trust. Build Confidence. Build strong sense of

We’ve all sat through meetings with gritted teeth, thinking, “When will they get to the information that I need?”

Each of us views our work through our own unique lens. We go through our workdays with an automatic filter in place that screens information flowing in our environment for the nuggets specific to what we need to better do our jobs. That’s why it can be so frustrating when information comes at us that’s clearly not something we need. We have to spend time thinking, considering, discarding, or sending on that information to those who may need it, and that’s

If you're actively exploring cloud-based options for municipal government software, you’re in good company.

Nationwide, among both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, cloud software adoption has never been stronger. Estimates vary, but the most recent one suggests that 94% of enterprises use cloud-based products. That number is expected to increase, with fewer organizations relying upon site-based systems as the decade progresses.

As more and more local and municipal government software shifts to cloud-based solutions, what’s driving this change? And is cloud-based software the best choice for your local government accounting needs?

Benefits of Cloud Computing for Local Governments

More and

We bet that the title of this blog surprised you. After all, many articles lately focus on gloom and doom: how nonprofit revenues are down, how the pandemic is increasing services while decreasing volunteer hours and potential donations, and so on.

Yes, it’s all true. But here at AccuFund, we don’t believe in focusing on what’s wrong. We believe in focusing on what’s right, and there’s plenty of right in the nonprofit world. Although the research shows that nonprofits around the nation may still struggle, there’s also hope that nonprofits who can adapt and change, leveraging nonprofit software and unique

Is it time for local government accounting modernization?

Modernization sounds like a strange word to use when it comes to describing a local government initiative. But just like you may modernize your kitchen or bathroom, governments need to modernize their systems too.

Local government accounting modernization is more than a facelift. It may mean finally getting rid of the outdated wallpaper, but it also means upgrading the structure behind the scenes – perhaps adding additional outlets in the kitchen that can handle more appliances or a water connection to the refrigerator area for a built-in ice maker. Local governments choosing

When choosing public sector software, it’s vital to choose software that offers maximum security for sensitive data and systems.

The Department of Homeland Security requested a $2.6 billion cybersecurity budget for the fiscal year 2020-2021. The Federal Government is taking cybersecurity very seriously, and for good reason. This year alone, we've seen many bad actors. Over the past decade, we've seen systems containing defense contractors' information attacked, denial of service (DOS) attacks, and many other cyber threats against the federal government.

For local governments, the threat is just as real. Although you may think that your town or state

The best business ideas start with solving a problem. Twenty years ago, AccuFund had its beginnings in solving a business issue and grew into a software company focused on helping local governments and nonprofit organizations achieve their mission.

In 2001, AccuFund founder Gordon Holfelder and co-founder Peter Stam sensed a business opportunity printing checks for NASCAR race winners. At that time, businesses that wished to print their own checks needed not just unique software, but specialized printers and magnetic ink, too.

The duo came up with a system that incorporated all elements needed to print checks on the go and

If you are reading this blog article, like many other nonprofits, payroll management options are top of mind. As more and more nonprofits are moving towards managing payroll in-house, we wanted to compile our list of 7 Benefits of Managing Nonprofit Payroll In-House, to help you determine your priorities and next steps.

Before we dive into the day-to-day specific benefits of managing nonprofit payroll in-house, there are two big picture issues you will want to be mindful of:

• Be sure your payroll system understands your specific nonprofit needs, and
• Look for a payroll system that will continue to provide updates

From every corner of the world and including every community member, collectively, we are charged with operating under a new normal. Basic communication, friendly greetings, social interaction, making plans, helping others – everything we were accustomed to, is done differently now. With more caution, taking more precautions.

We are all trying to do our part in minimizing the spread of COVID-19, brought about by the novel coronavirus. Following reported safety measures to keep our friends, family, and community members safe during this challenging time is the least we can do.

The varying impact of this current health crisis has taken

As a nonprofit, you’re used to being on the front line helping your community members tackle the challenges they face every single day. From social services to arts and education to health and religion, you play a critical role in helping others. The positive impact you have on your community has the power to reach far beyond local geography, it is limitless.

But now, in the face of COVID-19, you feel its limits.

Everything seems to change, every single day. How do you keep track of all you need to do, normally, while having the resources to manage an ever-changing

By now you’ve probably heard about the changes coming with FASB ASU 2016-14.  The changes are significant and we’ve assembled a collection of resources to get you up to speed.

We have some concerns about what we’ve been hearing in the field:  responses to the question,  "How will you accomplish the new FASB ASU 2016-14 requirements?" 

There are four typical responses:  two of which are practical approaches, there’s one risky approach, and one troubling response.

Q:  How will you accomplish the new FASB ASU 2016-14 requirements?

Answer #1:  Use Excel Spreadsheets to Report

This is a risky course of action.

The deadlines for ASU 2016-14 are approaching.  Implementation of the standards will be disruptive – whether that disruption is minimal or acute will depend on how prepared you are and the capability of your nonprofit accounting solutions.

FASB ASU 2016-14: Here’s what’s changing for nonprofit organizations

Very simply put, the face or the presentation of your financials will be simplified.  Temporary and permanent restrictions will be combined into one column rather than being represented in two columns.  Enhanced disclosures should be relegated to the notes section of your financial statements.

For a more comprehensive treatment of the FASB ASU 2016-14

If you are currently evaluating nonprofit accounting software, chances are your old system is a legacy, on-premise, accounting solution. We define legacy as software that was developed prior to 2000 (Y2K). “On-premise” refers to where your software physically resides, for example, on a server in your organization’s office.

One of the things you probably have been tasked with, is looking at nonprofit cloud-based accounting solutions. There are many compelling reasons to consider a nonprofit cloud-based accounting solution (anytime, anywhere access; browser-based access; the ability to use PC or Mac or both; budget-friendly subscription pricing; and disruption-free upgrades to name

Never has there been a greater need for the services and support our nonprofits and local governments provide, in large cities and small towns, across the United States.

And at the same time, these nonprofits and local governments are challenged by the reality that funding is shrinking.

In order to persevere and continue providing for the communities they are charged with supporting, nonprofits and local governments need to maximize their technology, streamline their processes and provide their internal teams and stakeholders with the financial reporting needed to make informed decisions.

AccuFund is helping its customers meet this challenge head on

Many commercial accounting products have 2 elements - a natural account and a department - and this works fine for commercial entities.  In a nonprofit with multiple funding sources this quickly causes reporting issues.

We regularly work with nonprofits (NPOs) who use commercial accounting software and don’t understand why the software products designed specifically for NPOs offer more than 2 elements or dimensions in their account structures.

I was recently at a mid-sized NPO using a commercial product with two elements, a “Reporting Unit” (RU) and an object code or natural account element.  

So I asked them, what is

DUE DILIGENCE IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING NONPROFIT SOFTWARE MARKET

When organizations are closing in on the purchase of nonprofit accounting software, they generally take the time to call references.  Talking to other people who use the software is common and smart practice.  

People who are living with a solution – who rely on it each day to carry out their responsibilities – are in the very best position to give you great insight on strengths and weaknesses of a particular product.  We always encourage buyers to talk to other nonprofit and government organizations using AccuFund.

Product Due Diligence Isn’t

When mapping the direction and strategy of your nonprofit, the ultimate goal is always mission fulfillment.  But are there habits and processes that need to change in order to see dramatic improvement?  

Are there change agents within the organization that have pointed to areas of deficiency who have been routinely told “not yet”?  Are there areas of the organization that are operating exactly as they did five years ago, ten years ago?  What about your accounting department?  Are they using the same processes and tools as they were years ago?  Is the only change the increased number of spreadsheets

The following article was originally featured on the Nonprofit PRO website, December 2016.

The impact of nonprofit organizations in changing lives and communities for the better can never be fully calculated.

The wonderful goodness of combining the resources of knowledge, ability, funding, and delivery of service, in order to accomplish good - optimal assistance and transformation - is something nonprofit employees, funders, donors, advocates and volunteers should be proud of.

It could be said that the whole is greater than the sum of parts when it comes to nonprofits and their function in society.  And, it could be said that

AccuFund primarily concerns itself with security and fraud prevention in its accounting products and takes that responsibility seriously.  Separation of duties, auditability and control are all considered in the design of the system.

If you are a senior financial person in your organization you may be expected to think more broadly about security and fraud including your website and the safety of website donations with credit card information.  One way to give your donors confidence is to include a “Security or Trust Seal” on your website.  The seals available from WebTrust, Symantec/Norton, Comodo and other sources provide a level of

Do you ever wish you could spend more time in Excel?  We didn't think so. 

What you don't need is another spreadsheet.  What you do need is a nonprofit systems that provides the reports your nonprofit or government organization needs. We hope you enjoy the video!

When Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District replaced their accounting software system with AccuFund Online hosted solution, they immediately gained 750 hours a year time savings.  On average, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District creates 125 purchase orders each month.  They estimate AccuFund Online saves them about a half hour for each one.  That's 62.5 hours saved each month, or 750 hours per year - that's over 18 weeks!

But that was only a start to the efficiencies gained from making the move to AccuFund Online, you can read the full story here.   

Rancho SimiRecreation and Park District

Your staff is on edge.  You’re exhausted and stressed.  The only thing you can think about is getting through month-end.  

If that sounds familiar, read on, because while it’s not unusual for us to come across nonprofit accountants who experience the professional equivalent of going under house arrest during period-end closes; it is completely unnecessary.

Painful closings are a symptom of inadequate accounting systems.  Inadequate systems make your life harder, not easier. 

Beyond the monthly pain inflicted by inadequate accounting systems, the time chewed up by closing activities delays critical fund information getting into the hands of your organization’s

It may not be at the top of your priority list but regular system reviews are key when it comes to ensuring that you are getting the most out of your investment.

Your financial systems are the bedrock of responsible stewardship and organizational transparency.  In addition, access to financial data when evaluating grants, applying for new grants, determining fundraising campaign effectiveness, tracking operational expenses, etc., is critical to serving your constituents now and in the future.

We recommend an annual system review.  Just as you budget and plan for each new year, it makes sense to evaluate how your accounting

Implementing best practices is the gift that keeps on giving.  Best practices incorporated into the workflow of your nonprofit system helps you work smarter and usually faster that makeshift manual activities.

When best practices are combined with automation and offer a significant savings in time and money – that’s the best possible scenario, and going paperless is an activity that delivers each of those benefits.

We saw such positive results with clients that we recently conducted a series of webcasts showcasing ways nonprofits could benefit from going paperless.  You can view a recording of the presentation here.

So what’s

Nonprofits have more choices than they did a few years ago when it comes to operational software.  If you are shopping for new accounting software there’s a new consideration beyond features and functions:  is the best choice a cloud solution, a hosted solution or an on-premise solution?

• On-premise is the traditional method of housing your software.  You license a solution that is installed on a server that resides physically within your organization. 
• A hosted solution means that you license the software and it resides on a “host” server that resides in a facility operated by the hosting service company.
• A

Savvy donors want to make sure their gifts are being used properly and that the organizations they choose to champion are fiscally responsible and transparent.  GAAP compliance allows not only donors, but also creditors and other stakeholders, to view financial data in a format that is consistent from organization to organization.  

When it comes to GAAP Expense Rules, there are three things nonprofit organizations should be aware of when creating financial reports:

1. Expense should be reported as a decrease in unrestricted net assets
2. Expenses should be reported gross and not netted against revenue (investment expenses would be an exception)

Representative Payees are government agencies, nonprofit organizations or a relative or friend who is appointed by the Social Security Administration to handle the Social Security matters of beneficiaries who are not able to handle their own financial affairs.

The SSA defines the responsibilities of the Representative Payee as:

• Determining the beneficiary's total needs and using the benefits received in the best interests of the beneficiary.
• Maintaining a continuing awareness of the beneficiary's needs and condition, if the beneficiary does not live with the Representative Payee, by contact such as visiting the beneficiary and consultations with custodians.
• Applying

Cloud Computing is at the top of the list for almost all organizations looking for their next fund accounting and donor management and fundraising systems – and for good reason. Cloud computing is the most revolutionary technology development since application software (once only available for mainframe computers) became available for personal computers and landed on the desktops of end users.

There are several hugely compelling aspects to cloud computing – in many cases it comes with:

• a lower cost of ownership
• significantly faster implementation
• full feature sets
• hassle-free upgrades
• enhanced security, up time, and disaster recovery
• can be available anytime,

I recently read with interest an article by Gene Marks about how to make your CRM installation a success.  One of his points I thought applied equally well to your accounting system and that was "Invest in a Administrator".  I have repeatedly seen this be the difference between failure and success in client installations.

Like the CRM system that Gene is talking about, you make a significant investment in your accounting solution and it is a critical part of your organization, be it governmental, nonprofit, tribal  or commercial for that matter.  Many managers expect that after the installation the software