Collaboration between the finance department and non-finance staff in nonprofit organizations is essential to achieve effective financial management. By breaking down the silos preventing this collaboration, the finance department can fulfill its responsibilities and enable the organization to run its programs, deliver services and successfully carry out its mission.
Working collaboratively is essential for:
- Implementing and enforcing accounting policies and procedures
- Maintaining internal controls to protect the assets of the organization
- Generating accurate and timely financial data and financial reports
How Do Nonprofit Organizations Break Down the Silos Between the Finance Department and Non-Finance Departments?
- Identify areas where collaboration is needed by reviewing, documenting and evaluating the finance department’s operating procedures.
- Communicate to leadership the areas where collaboration is needed and why it is important to the organization.
- Discuss ways to promote collaboration and address challenges that might be encountered.
- Train non-finance staff who are responsible for processing data in automated financial systems, such as expense management systems, in their proper use.
- Provide guidance to staff on how to comply with due dates while fulfilling their daily responsibilities.
Where Is Collaboration Needed?
Examples:
- Maintaining proper checks and balances over spending throughout the organization
- Working together to create and monitor the organization’s budget
- Processing data in automated financial systems, such as expense management systems, in a timely manner
- Keeping cash and confidential documents in a secure location with access given only to authorized personnel
- Adhering to due dates for submitting information, established by the finance department, so the finance department can generate accurate & timely financial data & financial reports
Roberta Katz Consulting has presented webinars on behalf of nonprofit organizations focused on improving collaboration between their finance department and their non-finance staff. Schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss arranging a similar webinar to be presented to the staff of your organization.
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