Find a verified pro
Find a Nonprofit Accountant
CPAs who specialize in 501(c)(3)s and other tax-exempt organizations — Form 990 preparation, fund accounting, audit readiness, and grant compliance.
When to hire
- You're forming a new 501(c)(3) and need Form 1023 help
- Annual gross receipts crossed $50K (you now owe Form 990-EZ or 990)
- You received a major grant with audit or reporting requirements
- You have unrelated business income (UBI) and need Form 990-T
- Your board wants an annual audit, review, or compilation
What they do
- Prepare Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-N, 990-T, and state charity registrations
- Fund accounting and restricted/unrestricted net asset tracking
- Single audit (Uniform Guidance) for federal grant recipients
- Allocate functional expenses (program, management, fundraising)
- Advise on UBIT, public support test, and intermediate sanctions
Typical fees
What it costs
Low end
$1,000
per year
High end
$25,000+
per year
Notes
990-N: usually free. 990-EZ: $800–$2,000. Form 990: $2,500–$8,000. Annual audit: $8K–$25K+. Single audit adds $5K–$15K.
Compare
Nonprofit CPA vs For-Profit CPA
| Factor | Nonprofit CPA | For-Profit CPA |
|---|---|---|
| Form 990 experience | Routine — files dozens per year | Rare or none |
| Fund accounting | Standard practice | Not typically used |
| Single Audit | Qualified | Generally not |
| UBI / 990-T | Yes | Limited |
| Functional expense allocation | Routine | Unfamiliar |
Questions to ask
- How many nonprofits do you serve, and what types?
- Are you Yellow Book or Single Audit qualified?
- Do you handle state charity registrations (CHAR500, RRF-1, etc.)?
- Can you advise on UBI and Form 990-T?
- What's your process for fund accounting and restricted-net-asset tracking?
- Have you helped organizations recover from a 990 revocation?
Red flags
- Treats your nonprofit like a small business with no specialized knowledge
- Doesn't track restricted vs. unrestricted net assets
- Files 990 late without explanation (auto-revocation after 3 years missed)
- Can't explain the public support test
- No experience with state-level charitable solicitation registration
Documents to prepare
- IRS determination letter (501(c)(3) status)
- Articles of incorporation and bylaws
- Prior-year Form 990 and audited financials
- Board minutes and conflict-of-interest policy
- Grant agreements and donor restriction documentation
By city
Nonprofit Accountants in major U.S. cities
Related
Other specialties you might need
FAQ
Find a Nonprofit Accountant — common questions
Which Form 990 does my nonprofit file?+
990-N (e-postcard) if gross receipts ≤ $50K. 990-EZ if receipts < $200K and assets < $500K. Form 990 (full) otherwise. Private foundations file 990-PF regardless of size.
What happens if I miss filing for 3 years?+
Automatic revocation of tax-exempt status. Reinstatement requires Form 1023 again, plus retroactive reinstatement requests if you want it back to the original date.
What is Unrelated Business Income (UBI)?+
Income from a trade or business regularly carried on that isn't substantially related to your exempt purpose. Subject to corporate income tax on Form 990-T. Common examples: advertising in publications, debt-financed property.
Do small nonprofits need an audit?+
Not federally, but many states require an audit above certain revenue thresholds (typically $500K–$2M). Federal grant recipients spending over $750K of federal awards need a Single Audit.
How is functional expense allocation done?+
Expenses are split across program services, management & general, and fundraising. Allocation methods include time studies, square footage, and FTE counts — documented and applied consistently year over year.
This information is general and does not constitute professional advice. Consult a licensed professional for guidance specific to your situation.
Nonprofit Accountants · Verified Directory
Accounting that protects your mission
CPAs and accountants for 501(c)(3) organizations, foundations, and nonprofits. Form 990 preparation, fund accounting, grant compliance, and audit-ready financials.
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Nonprofit Accountants accepting new clients
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Vetting checklist
Questions to ask before hiring nonprofit cpas
- 1Are you a licensed CPA or EA, and in which states are you registered?
- 2What does engagement scope, pricing, and turnaround actually look like?
- 3Who on your team will do the work, and how do we communicate month to month?
- 4How do you handle deadlines, IRS or state notices, and audit support?
- 5Can you share two references from clients similar to my business?
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Compare your options
Hiring a verified nonprofit cpas vs. going it alone
| Factor | Verified Nonprofit CPAs | DIY / generalist |
|---|---|---|
| Specialized expertise | Trained in nonprofit accountants | General-purpose advice |
| Time investment | 1–2 hours to onboard | 10+ hours per filing cycle |
| Audit defense | Represents you to the IRS | You handle correspondence |
| Year-round planning | ||
| Typical cost | Quoted up-front | $0 software + your hours |
| Risk of missed deductions | Low — proactive review | High — software only flags what you enter |
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Seattle CPAs serve tech, aerospace, and the Pacific Northwest's deep entrepreneurial bench.
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Washington DC accountants serve federal contractors, nonprofits, associations, and the law firms that anchor the capital's economy.
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Baltimore CPAs serve healthcare systems, port and logistics operators, biotech, and the city's deep nonprofit and higher-ed community.
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Phoenix CPAs serve semiconductors, real estate, healthcare, and one of the country's fastest-growing small-business markets.
Little Rock, AR
Little Rock CPAs serve healthcare, logistics, agriculture, and the state's government and legal economy.
Denver, CO
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Hartford, CT
Hartford CPAs serve insurance, reinsurance, manufacturing, and the broader Connecticut River Valley economy.
Wilmington, DE
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Honolulu, HI
Honolulu CPAs serve tourism, military contracting, real estate, and the islands' small-business community.
Boise, ID
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Indianapolis, IN
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Detroit, MI
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Jackson, MS
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St. Louis, MO
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Billings, MT
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Omaha, NE
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Manchester, NH
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Newark, NJ
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Albuquerque, NM
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Oklahoma City, OK
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Portland, OR
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Charleston, SC
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Nashville CPAs serve healthcare, music and entertainment, hospitality, and the state's franchise and excise tax compliance.
Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City CPAs serve the Silicon Slopes tech corridor, outdoor recreation, mining, and financial services.
Burlington, VT
Burlington CPAs serve craft food and beverage, tourism, healthcare, and outdoor brands.
Charleston, WV
Charleston CPAs serve coal and natural gas, chemicals, healthcare, and state government.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee CPAs serve manufacturing, insurance, healthcare, and the Lake Michigan industrial corridor.
Cheyenne, WY
Cheyenne CPAs serve energy, ranching, trust administration, and a growing data-center and tech economy.
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte CPAs serve the second-largest U.S. banking center, plus energy, healthcare, motorsports, and one of the fastest-growing relocation markets in the country.
Common questions
About nonprofit accountants
Does my nonprofit need an audit?+
Most states require an audit above a revenue threshold (often $500K–$2M). Federal grant recipients above $750K trigger a Single Audit under Uniform Guidance.
What's fund accounting?+
A method nonprofits use to track restricted, temporarily restricted, and unrestricted funds separately so donor intent and grant terms are honored.
This information is general and does not constitute professional advice. Consult a licensed professional for guidance specific to your situation.
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