Nonprofit · 501(c)(3)
CPA for Nonprofits
Nonprofit accounting is fund-based, donor-restricted, and audit-scrutinized. The right CPA prepares Form 990, sets up fund accounting in QuickBooks or Sage Intacct, and prepares your books for a clean single audit.
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Who this is for
Who hires a nonprofit CPA
Public charities, private foundations, and faith-based organizations all need fund-accounting expertise.
- Public charities (501(c)(3))
- Private foundations
- Faith-based and religious organizations
- Federally funded nonprofits subject to Uniform Guidance
- Membership organizations (501(c)(4), (6), (7))
What's included
Services a nonprofit CPA provides
A nonprofit CPA prepares Form 990, structures restricted-fund tracking, and supports your audit committee.
- Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, and state charitable filings
- Fund accounting and restricted-net-asset tracking
- Grant compliance and indirect-cost rate planning
- Single audit (Uniform Guidance) prep for federal awards
- Functional expense allocation (program / G&A / fundraising)
- Board-ready financial dashboards
How to choose
How to choose a nonprofit CPA
Audit experience and grant fluency are critical — funders read the 990 before they write the check.
- How many nonprofits do you currently serve?
- Do you perform audits, or only prepare?
- Can you handle Uniform Guidance single audits?
- How do you structure restricted-fund tracking in QuickBooks or Intacct?
- Will you present financials to our board?
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FAQ
Common questions
When is Form 990 due?
May 15 for calendar-year nonprofits, with a 6-month extension available via Form 8868. Failure to file three years running revokes tax-exempt status automatically.
What is a single audit?
Nonprofits expending $750K+ in federal awards in a year must have a single audit under Uniform Guidance — broader than a standard financial-statement audit.
How are restricted contributions reported?
Under ASU 2016-14, nonprofits report net assets in two classes: with and without donor restrictions. Restricted gifts release as program activity occurs.
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