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The Basics of Nonprofit Bookkeeping

The Charity CFO

But the experience, responsibilities, and deliverables required of bookkeepers are very different from those required of accountants. . A bookkeeper records and organizes financial data; an accountant interprets and presents that data. . It breaks down like this: . What is nonprofit bookkeeping? .

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Do Nonprofits Use Cash or Accrual Accounting?

The Charity CFO

Furthermore, accrual accounting is required by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ( GAAP ) because it gives you a more accurate picture of your organization’s fiscal situation and allows for easier side-by-side comparison with financial statements of other organizations. Common accrual accounts include: .

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Set Up a Nonprofit Chart of Accounts (Free Template)

The Charity CFO

It’s a list of the accounts you use in your organization to track your financial transactions. You don’t record any financial data in the Chart of Accounts itself; it’s like an organizational map of your accounting structure. Account Description. Accounts Payable.