Funders, boards and auditors each want a different cut of the same ledger, and most small finance teams rebuild it by hand every time. I am a CPA in Washington, DC handling grant and fund accounting, audit preparation, month-end close and cleanup for nonprofits.
Most engagements begin with one of these. If more than two are true, the problem is usually structural rather than a question of effort.
I scope each engagement to a defined body of work rather than an open retainer, and agree the deliverables and the fee in writing before starting.
Grant funding carries reporting obligations. Where the general ledger is not structured around donor restrictions, required reporting must be reconstructed manually each period.
Fieldwork delays frequently originate in schedules that were not tied to the trial balance in advance of the auditor's arrival.
Timely closes depend on reconciliations being completed correctly the first time. Where they are not, the delay compounds across periods and obscures the financial position management relies on.
Accounting records fall behind for predictable reasons, including staff turnover and growth that outpaces existing processes. The consequence generally surfaces when statements are requested by a lender, grantor or auditor.
QuickBooks files commonly accumulate inconsistencies over time, particularly where transaction entry has been handled without accounting oversight.
Revenue recognition and lease accounting questions are most efficiently resolved before a position is reflected in issued financial statements.
Engagements to date and the organizations this work suits. Nonprofit reporting obligations are the common thread rather than any particular size.
Tell me what you need, which system your records sit in, and when it has to be finished. I will reply with whether I can help and what it would cost.
request@dalicpa.com