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Bookkeeping for nonprofits and their programs
Nonprofit accounting starts with knowing which resources can support which activities. Tidwell provides bookkeeping services for nonprofits that connect donations, program spending and payroll to reports a director or board can use.
Last reviewed:
General information, not legal advice.
Follow a gift from receipt to program spending
Keep donor restrictions and grant documentation attached to the accounting records. Separate unrestricted activity from funds designated for particular purposes, then compare program spending with the balances available. A bank balance alone does not explain what the organization can spend.
Allocate staff costs with a documented method
Payroll for nonprofits may support several programs as well as administration and fundraising. Approved time records and an allocation method reviewed with your CPA give those costs a consistent home. Reconcile the payroll totals before using program reports in a grant update.
Make the board packet traceable
QuickBooks for nonprofits is most useful when account and class names match how the organization manages its work. Tie financial statements to reconciled accounts and provide a short list of outstanding grants, unpaid bills and unresolved entries.
Prepare records for the organization’s advisers
Tidwell provides bookkeeping support alongside your CPA or attorney. We organize the ledger and supporting schedules for their reporting review, including questions about Form 990. Your advisers determine filing obligations and handle return preparation; we do not decide legal or tax treatment.
Questions from program managers and treasurers
Can restricted gifts share a report with operating donations?
Yes, provided the report preserves each fund’s identity. The bookkeeping setup should let a reviewer see restricted activity separately instead of treating every receipt as available operating cash.
Can you help clean up nonprofit QuickBooks classes?
We can review inconsistent coding and discuss a cleanup plan. Bring the grant list and the program structure your board actually uses before changing classes.
What should a nonprofit send before payroll?
Supply approved employee time, program allocations and authorized pay changes. Flag missing approvals before the pay run so estimates do not silently become program costs.
Build a clearer picture of available funds
Bring your current records and the questions you want the books to answer. We work remotely across California, with meetings at our Atascadero office by arrangement to discuss a practical service scope.
Monthly bookkeeping starts at $500 a month. See pricing