The Balance

Is there anyone less popular than an accounting firm’s Quality Control Department? On today’s episode, Brad Muniz chats with Amy about how nonprofit finance pros can stop seeing QC as the bad cop, and instead welcome them as a valuable advisor. 

Further Resources:

Brad Muniz - CPA, CGMA

https://sobelcollc.com/about/our-people/brad-muniz/ 



Amy Karson - Founder, Brand K Partners

https://www.brandkpartners.com/ 

Staying engaged with your donors is the name of the game in the nonprofit realm. That’s easier said than done in a world that’s increasingly leaning on remote tech. So, how exactly do we grow a team of supporters, express sincere gratitude, maintain infectious energy, and keep those essential face-to-face interactions with the people behind our mission?

Stephanie Arcella, co-founder of TakeTwo services, joins us and brings a fascinating dual-perspective of someone who’s not only a talented fundraiser but also an experienced social worker. She’s our guide on this episode of The Balance — shining light on the heavy work we have to be doing, as well as some opportunities to lighten the load.

Further Resources:

Stephanie Arcella - Co-founder, Take Two Services

https://www.take2services.com/who-we-are/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniearcella/

https://mobile.twitter.com/take2services

Amy Karson - Founder, Brand K Partners

https://www.brandkpartners.com/ 

Regulations for managing nonprofit finance can be a bit of a moving target. Organizations like the Financial Accounting and Standards Board exist not only to set the standard, but to educate and disseminate information to our nonprofit world. In this episode, we have someone bringing broad experience as an auditor, controller, preparer, and user. Rick Cole, partner at FORVIS Accounting, joins Amy to talk about staying updated and informed in an ever-changing financial landscape.

Further Resources:

Richard Cole - Partner, FORVIS Accounting

https://www.forvis.com/ 

Amy Karson - Founder, Brand K Partners

https://www.brandkpartners.com/ 

Your Board of Directors can be your organization’s greatest asset, but only if they are properly engaged and utilized. In this episode, Amy talks to Dennis Miller of DCM about what the Board’s role should (and shouldn’t) be when it comes to fiscal governance, and how to make sure your Board is leading your organization forward instead of holding it back!

Further Resources:

Dennis Miller - Founder and Chairman of DCM

https://denniscmiller.com/ 

Amy Karson - Founder, Brand K Partners

https://www.brandkpartners.com/ 

Successfully managing grant money is a huge task for any nonprofit. On today’s episode, Amy and her colleague Priya Pachkawde talk with Fraser Mooney of Doctors of the World about navigating grant restrictions, building good relationships with funders, and why not all money is worth taking. 

Further Resources:

Fraser Mooney - Executive Director, Doctors of the World

https://doctorsoftheworld.org/who-we-are/our-team/fraser-mooney/ 

Priya Pachkawde - Chief Client Officer, Brand K Partners 

Amy Karson - Founder, Brand K Partners

https://www.brandkpartners.com/ 

Diana Breen — “The Transition Whisperer” — is a career interim CEO who has guided nonprofits through all kinds of challenging situations. On this week’s episode of The Balance, Diana talks with Amy about navigating institutional change without fear and maintaining sound financial management when your organization is in flux. 

Further Resources: 

Diana Breen - Interim Executive Director/CEO 

https://www.dianabreen.com/ 

Amy Karson - Founder, Brand K Partners 

https://www.brandkpartners.com/ 

As accountants, bookkeepers, and financial planners, we’re excellent at understanding numbers. Talking about them can sometimes be challenging. In this episode, communication expert Don Waisanen speaks with Amy about how to present financial information in a way that keeps your audience informed, engaged, and confident! 

Further Resources:

Don Waisanen - Founder and President, Communication Upward 

https://commupward.com/ 

Amy Karson - Founder, Brand K Partners

https://www.brandkpartners.com/ 

For many people working in corporate finance and accounting positions, transitioning to the nonprofit sector may seem like a magical opportunity — passionate co-workers coming together to save the world...what could be better? The truth is that nonprofit work isn’t for everyone, and presents its own unique set of challenges. On today’s episode, Amy chats with Leigh Tucker of CliftonLarsonAllen about what a finance pro should consider before making the leap to working for a nonprofit, and what a nonprofit leader should consider before hiring a CFO from the corporate world. 

Further Resources:

Leigh Tucker - Principal, CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)

https://www.claconnect.com/ 

Amy Karson - Founder, Brand K Partners

https://www.brandkpartners.com/ 

Every organization wants to provide quality benefits to their staff, but when it comes to healthcare there are too many options! This week on The Balance, Amy speaks with benefits wizard Chuck Newman about navigating the sea of PEOs and HRAs to make the best choice for you and your team.

Further Resources:

Amy Karson - Founder, Brand K Partners

https://www.brandkpartners.com/ 

Chuck Newman - President and Managing Partner, Charles Newman Co. 

https://www.charlesnewman.com/ 

Artists generally don't enjoy thinking about money, but in order to run a successful, sustainable arts organization, your finances and fiscal operations must be in order. On today's episode of The Balance, Amy talks with Kate Scorza Ingram of Create Today about how to apply effective money management to the performing arts and why financial planning is a creative pursuit!

Further Resources:

Amy Karson - Founder, Brand K Partners

https://www.brandkpartners.com/ 

Kate Scorza Ingram - Founder and Principal, Create Today LLC 

http://www.createtoday.net/