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Fund Accounting
Restricted funds, net assets, and the mechanics of a nonprofit ledger.
Endowment Fund Accounting: UPMIFA, Underwater Endowments, and What Your Board Needs to Know
Endowments follow different rules than every other fund your nonprofit holds. Here's how UPMIFA governs spending, what an 'underwater' endowment actually means, and how to account for both correctly.
August 16, 2026 · 9 min read
How to Account for Special Event Revenue: Galas, Auctions, and the GAAP Rules Most Nonprofits Get Wrong
A $150 gala ticket isn't a $150 contribution. Special event accounting has its own GAAP rules for splitting exchange value from contribution value — and getting it wrong distorts your fundraising numbers and your Form 990. Here's how to do it right.
August 8, 2026 · 7 min read
Contributions vs. Exchange Transactions: Getting Revenue Recognition Right Under ASC 958
The same $50,000 check can be a contribution or an exchange transaction depending on what the funder gets back. Getting the classification wrong changes your revenue recognition, your net asset classes, and your audit. Here's how to tell the difference.
August 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Fund Accounting vs. Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping and fund accounting aren't the same thing. Confusing them is how restricted grant money ends up spent by accident. Here's the real difference.
August 3, 2026 · 4 min read
GASB 96 Explained: How Local Governments Should Account for Subscription-Based IT
GASB 96 establishes accounting requirements for subscription-based IT arrangements. Here's what local government finance officers need to know to comply.
July 23, 2026 · 8 min read
GASB 54 Fund Balance Classifications: What Every Local Government Finance Officer Needs to Know
For local government finance officers, few areas of the financial statements carry more weight — or more audit risk — than fund balance classifications under GASB 54. This guide covers all five tiers, the distinctions that trip up most governments, and how software can make getting it right effortless.
July 16, 2026 · 10 min read
How Local Governments Are Getting Buried in GASB 87 and What to Do Before Your Next Audit
GASB Statement No. 87 fundamentally changed how local governments account for leases — requiring right-of-use assets and lease liabilities that were previously off-balance-sheet. Many small and mid-size municipalities are still struggling with implementation years after the effective date. Here's how to build a compliant, audit-ready process.
July 5, 2026 · 8 min read
GASB Compliance Doesn't Have to Be This Hard: A Guide for Government Finance Officers
Managing fund restrictions, tracking GASB standards, and producing audit-ready reports is hard enough without fighting your accounting software. Here's how to make compliance feel manageable again.
June 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Restricted vs. Unrestricted Funds: What Every Nonprofit Board Member Should Know
Not every dollar in your nonprofit's bank account is available to spend the same way. Here's the difference between restricted and unrestricted funds — and why your board needs to know it.
June 10, 2026 · 4 min read