Bookkeeping Basics: What Every Nonprofit Bookkeeper Needs to Know

“Bookkeeping Basics is very methodical in its approach, introducing one concept at a time. This book will apply to many types of nonprofits and community groups because it is so elemental in nature and because the examples are from these types of groups.” — Matt Karl, Senior Research Associate, Charities Review Council, Saint Paul, MN

by Debra L. Ruegg and Lisa M. Venkatrathnam, Published by Fieldstone Alliance.

This hands-on guide gives the novice bookkeeper the knowledge and skills to track the financial activity of their nonprofit in a way that brings order out of chaos, safeguards the organization's assets, and provides useful information for making sound decisions.

The authors guide readers through the concepts and processes that every bookkeeper needs to know, including single- vs. double-entry bookkeeping, cash vs. accrual basis accounting, posting financial transactions, preparing financial statements, establishing internal controls, closing out your fiscal year, and much more.

Reproducible forms include an accounts payable register, accounts receivable register, accounts receivable register, general ledger, financial summary form, grant tracking form, internal controls activity flow chart, and an audit preparation checklist.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Bookkeeping Overview

• Bookkeeping Defined
• The Importance of Good Financial Records
• The Three Steps of Bookkeeping
• Chapter One Key Concepts

Chapter 2: Setting the Stage

• Cash Basis Versus Accrual Basis Accounting
• Double-Entry Bookkeeping
• Chapter Two Key Concepts

Chapter 3: Your Chart of Accounts

• Designing Your Chart of Accounts
• Chapter Three Key Concepts

Chapter 4: Recording Transactions

• Source Documents
• Journal Entries
• Posting to Ledger Accounts
• Preparing a Trial Balance
• Chapter Four Key Concepts

Chapter 5: Financial Statements 101

• Statement of Activities
• Statement of Position
• Other Financial Reports
• Chapter Five Key Concepts

Chapter 6: The Importance of Donor Intent

• Nonprofit Accounting Standards
• Handling Contributions
• Chapter Six Key Concepts

Chapter 7: The Bookkeeping Cycle

• Monthly Activities
• The Annual Audit
• Closing Entries
• Tax and Compliance Reporting
• Chapter Seven Key Concepts

Chapter 8: Internal Controls Part I: Protecting What You Own

• Budgets and Financial Statements
• Segregation of Duties
• Receiving Cash and Checks
• Preparing the Deposit
• Reconciling Your Bank Statement
• Accounts Receivable
• Aging of Accounts Receivable
• Accounting for Bad Debts
• Petty Cash
• Inventories
• Fixed/Capital Assets
• Depreciation
• Disposition of Fixed/Capital Assets
• Chapter Eight Key Concepts

Chapter 9: Internal Controls Part II: Protecting Your Expenditures and Liabilities

• Accounts Payable
• Accounts Payable Records
• Aging of Accounts Payable
• Paying the Bills
• Employee Advances
• Employee Travel
• Payroll
• Other Internal Control Issues
• Chapter Nine Key Concepts

Afterward

Appendices

Glossary: Terms Used in Nonprofit Accounting

Bibliography

Index

Useful Nonprofit Publications Written by Members of Our Firm

• Field Guide to Developing, Operating and Restoring Your Nonprofit Board
• Field Guide to Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Facilitation
• Field Guide to Leadership and Supervision for Nonprofit Staff
• Field Guide to Nonprofit Program Design, Marketing and Evaluation
• The above four guidebooks are offered together at a discount in our
  Nonprofit Capacity Building Toolkit(sm).
•  
• Field Guide to Consulting and Organizational Development With Nonprofits
  (book is for consultants and internal leaders)

Other Publisher's Publication for Nonprofit Organizations

• Strengthening Nonprofit Performance: A Funder's Guide to Capacity Building
• Venture Forth! Essential Guide to Starting a Moneymaking Business in Your Nonprofit Organization
• Coping With Cutbacks: Nonprofit Guide to Success When Times Are Tight
• Your Nonprofit's Technology

To Order "Bookkeeping Basics"

• $28.00 each. Published by Fieldstone Alliance, 2003, 128 pages.
• See To Order and Quickly Receive Your Publication
  NOTE:If you experience any problems processing your order, please call 800.971.2250 or 763.971.8890.

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