Description

Your Form 990 and financial audit are more than annual compliance requirements — they tell a story about your nonprofit’s financial health, governance, accountability, and stewardship.

In this practical 45-minute workshop, nonprofit leaders will learn what the Form 990 communicates to donors, funders, board members, and the public; understand the difference between a Form 990, financial statement audit, and Single Audit; and discover how strong financial practices throughout the year can make the reporting and audit process smoother.

Participants will also explore common financial and documentation issues that can create challenges during 990 preparation or an audit and learn practical steps their organizations can take to improve transparency, strengthen internal controls, and remain audit ready.

The goal is not simply to survive year-end reporting, but to build financial practices that demonstrate responsible stewardship and strengthen stakeholder confidence.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand the Form 990 as a public financial story and identify the key areas donors, funders, board members, and other stakeholders may review.
• Distinguish between a Form 990, financial statement audit, and Single Audit and recognize circumstances that may trigger additional reporting or audit requirements.
• Identify common financial and documentation issues that can create problems during 990 preparation or an audit.
• Recognize the importance of internal controls, reconciliations, documentation, and proper financial reporting in maintaining audit readiness.
• Implement year-round financial practices that support transparency, accountability, compliance, and responsible stewardship.

Ideal Audience

This workshop is designed for nonprofit professionals who have responsibility for—or influence over—the organization’s financial health and accountability, including:

• Executive Directors and CEOs
• Nonprofit founders
• Board members and board treasurers
• Finance committee members
• Operations and administrative leaders
• Program managers responsible for grants or restricted funding
• Bookkeepers and nonprofit finance staff
• Leaders of growing nonprofits preparing for increased funding, reporting requirements, or their first audit

No advanced accounting or tax knowledge is required. The workshop is designed to help nonprofit decision-makers understand the questions they should be asking and the financial practices their organizations should have in place.

Nonprofits First, Inc is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

About the Presenter:

Carol O'Neil, EA, is the Founder and CEO of CEO Financial Services, a firm providing Fractional CFO, accounting, tax, and advisory services to nonprofit organizations and growing businesses. As an Enrolled Agent (EA), Fractional CFO, and accounting advisor, Carol specializes in nonprofit accounting, QuickBooks Online, financial reporting, internal controls, and operational efficiency.

Known for her practical, systems-based approach, Carol helps nonprofit leaders move beyond bookkeeping to gain meaningful financial insights. She is passionate about empowering organizations to strengthen financial stewardship, enhance board reporting, maintain grant compliance, and make confident, mission-driven decisions. Her engaging teaching style combines real-world experience with actionable strategies that participants can implement immediately within their own organizations.