Cherry Bekaert: Not-for-Profit Industry Guidance – Details, episodes & analysis

Across the Not-for-Profit sector, accounting and finance teams can often find themselves stuck in crisis mode, without a way forward or resources to solve their problems. At other times, teams can navigate the status quo, but growth or improvement is out of the question. In either instance, NFPs can find themselves in the common position of being stretched too thin. What solutions are out there?

Jason Sturdevant, NFP Accounting Advisory Manager, and co-host Blakeley Richard, NFP Accounting Advisory Senior Associate, join forces to discuss some examples of NFP accounting teams that were struggling to juggle day-to-day needs with broader compliance or strategic goals. Jason and Blakeley will also highlight a couple instances in which NFPs leveraged Cherry Bekaert’s Accounting Advisory team to overcome staffing challenges, complex accounting matters and organizational barriers to move toward thriving.

As part of Cherry Bekaert’s Not-for-Profit podcast series, this episode covers:

• Navigating the challenges of turnover in key finance positions
• Working through common trouble areas for colleges and universities
• Tackling technically complex tasks with limited capacity
• Creating tools for challenging accounting areas
• Developing plans for strategic growth for finance teams
• Opening up resources for training and team readiness
• Working with Cherry Bekaert’s NFP advisory team on a wide array of projects
• Outcomes for specific organizations that worked with the NFP advisory team

Cherry Bekaert’s Not-for-Profit Accounting Advisory team manages all types of complex technical accounting areas, whether that’s assisting with year-end close, supporting transition of personnel or guiding your finance team through organizational changes. If you have any questions specific to your business needs, Cherry Bekaert’s Not-for-Profit Advisory team is available to discuss your situation with you.

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Not-for-profits (NFP) across the country often struggle with their accounting processes due to outdated software, spreadsheets and manual data entry. Sage Intacct, a cloud-based platform, can simplify accounting processes so not-for-profits can focus on the business of helping others. 

In this episode of our NFP podcast series, we hear about the power of Sage Intacct from Kristen Jenei, Managing Director at Cherry Bekaert, and Hina Babar, a Director at Cherry Bekaert.

Tune in to learn how Cherry Bekaert can help implement Sage Intacct, and discover how the platform can help your organization: 

• Gain visibility into key data
• Stop manually entering financial information
• Reduce accounting mistakes
• Streamline processes
• Gain more time for tasks important to your not-for-profit

As more guidance comes forth, we are here to provide regular updates, thought leadership, current and future state consulting, change management advisory and ready to stand up services. We have solutions tailored for you.

Learn more about Cherry Bekaert’s Sage Intacct solutions

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On campuses around the country, the name, image and likeness (NIL) policy is revolutionizing the way student-athletes can obtain benefits while attending a college or university. As of July 2021, student-athletes can enter NIL deals if they comply with state law and the NCAA’s rules. Essentially, NIL allows college athletes to monetize their personal brand by profiting from their name, image and likeness through various opportunities such as endorsements, sponsorships, social media posts and more. 

In the first episode of our NIL podcast series, Anthony Kocheron, an associate in Cherry Bekaert’s Government and Public Sector Advisory practice, is joined by Mit Winter, an attorney at Kennyhertz Perry who specializes in college sports law and has an extensive knowledge of NIL and its effects on college athletic departments. Tune in to learn more about:  

• An introduction to the world of NIL, including:
  • Collectives
  • Employment Status
  • Governing Bodies
• Factors that led to NILs current state in college athletics
• How college and university athletic departments are navigating the challenges of NIL
• Observations of what athletic departments are and aren’t doing when it comes to change in college athletics
• How athletic departments are preparing for the future 
• Benefits of having comprehensive polices and procedures in place within an athletic department
• One key takeaway about NIL

Due to the ever-evolving NIL space, and the current and upcoming compliance challenges universities are facing, Cherry Bekaert has dedicated a team of professionals to track all there is to know about NIL. As more guidance comes forth, we are here to provide regular updates, thought leadership, current and future state consulting, change management advisory and ready to stand up services. Whether you are a Power Five or sub-division school, we have solutions tailored for you.

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Section 179D Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction (section 179D) is an energy tax deduction created to incentivize the adoption of clean solutions in commercial buildings. Originally intended for the commercial industry, not-for-profit organizations are now able to take advantage of this notable tax deduction if they invest in energy-efficient improvements.

Since not-for-profits are tax-exempt, they can allocate the energy tax incentive to a taxpaying entity working on the structure renovations. Before applying for the Section 179D tax credit, it’s imperative to understand the solutions that make the most sense for your building and the potential deduction allocations you may be eligible to receive.

Host Amy Dosik, Not-For-Profit Tax Practice Leader at Cherry Bekaert, is joined by special guests Martin Karamon, Tax Credits and Incentives Advisory Leader, Ed Vettel, Tax Credits and Incentives Senior Associate, and Andre Kohn, Energy Tax Credits and Incentives Senior Associate. Together they discuss the Section 179D energy efficient commercial building deduction and how not-for-profits and schools can benefit.

As part of Cherry Bekaert’s Not-For-Profit podcast series, and the second episode in the energy tax credits and incentives mini-series, this episode covers:

• Section 179D background
• Determining eligibility for Section 179D 
• Section 179D benefits 
• Enhanced deduction requirements
• Maximizing Section 179D opportunities

Cherry Bekaert’s Energy Tax Credits and Incentives team assesses the eligibility of your organization to receive business energy tax credits and incentives, so you can receive the maximum monetary benefit allotted. If your organization makes investments in clean energy advancements, then you may benefit from energy efficiency federal, state and local energy tax credits and incentives. If you have any questions specific to your needs, Cherry Bekaert’s Not-For-Profit group is available to discuss your situation with you.

Related Resources:

• Podcast: Direct Pay for Not-for-Profits
• Factors to Consider When Seeking Cost Segregation and Section 179D Study Service Providers
• A Comprehensive Overview of Energy Tax Credits Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

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The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) opened the direct pay program for not-for-profit or tax-exempt organizations to qualify for energy tax credits if they were investing in clean energy solutions. Before the IRA, there were clean energy tax credits available to tax-paying entities to take advantage of, but tax-exempt organizations couldn’t reap any benefits when choosing to invest in energy enhancements. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) often releases new guidance on energy tax credits and incentives concerning not-for-profit and tax-exempt organizations, so it is imperative to stay updated to prevent incorrectly filed tax applications.

Host Amy Dosik, Not-For-Profit Tax Practice Leader at Cherry Bekaert is joined by special guests Martin Karamon, Tax Credits and Incentives Advisory Leader, Timothy Doran, Energy Tax Credits and Incentives Director, and David Mohimani, Tax Credits and Incentives Manager, to talk about the direct pay program for not-for-profit entities. As part of Cherry Bekaert’s Not-For-Profit podcast series, and the first episode in the energy tax credits and incentives mini-series, this episode covers:

• IRA overview 
• Background on the direct pay program
• Energy tax credit eligibility 
• New IRS final regulations
• Application process for energy tax credits
• Direct pay benefits 
• Key discussion takeaways 

Cherry Bekaert’s Energy Tax Credits and Incentives team assesses the eligibility of your organization to receive business energy tax credits and incentives, so you can receive the maximum monetary benefit allotted. If your business makes investments in clean energy advancements, then you may benefit from energy efficiency federal, state, and local energy tax credits and incentives. If you have any questions specific to your business needs, Cherry Bekaert’s Not-For-Profit group is available to discuss your situation with you.

Related Resources:

• IRS ERC Voluntary Disclosures Program
• Understanding IRS’ Voluntary Disclosures Program for Employee Retention Credit (ERC) Claims
• Analyzing the Impact: Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024
• Factors to Consider When Seeking Cost Segregation and Section 179D Study Service Providers
• Understanding the Inflation Reduction Act and Other Energy Incentives

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Nonprofit organizations, from social services to trade associations and charter schools, play an essential role in supporting our communities. But these organizations often[HR1]  face several challenges and restrictions when it comes to fulfilling their missions. Throughout [HR2] 2024, not-for-profit (NFP) organizations will have many opportunities to increase impact and streamline operations. 

Matthew Socha, Not-for-Profit Practice Leader, hosted John Fedus, Partner, and Amelia Crawford, Director, to look into their crystal balls and predict the top trends not-for-profits may experience this year. They explore a variety of themes, issues and opportunities that organizations face.

The first of our NFP podcasts for 2024, this episode covers:

• Managing the lack of resources available to NFPs
• Remote work
• NFPs’ investment in technology
• Improving donor experience
• Collaboration with other nonprofits
• Artificial intelligence (AI) for NFPs

Cherry Bekaert Can Guide You Forward

Cherry Bekaert has a dedicated not-for-profit team with extensive experience in the industry. Many of our team members serve in a voluntary capacity on boards and give of their resources for the causes they feel strongly about. We have a clear sense of your priorities, goals and objectives and look forward to the opportunity to support your organization and mission.

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Cyber breaches like the recent Blackbaud data security incident remind us that no one is out of reach of cybercriminals. In our newest Not-for-Profit webinar, join Matthew Socha, Partner and Industry Leader of the Firm’s Not-for-Profit practice, and Steve Ursillo, Partner and Leader of the Firm’s Information Assurance & Cybersecurity practice, for a discussion on Blackbaud’s response, next steps for organizations impacted by the breach and an overview of the most common cyber control deficiencies for not-for-profits. 

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In today's complex financial landscape, managing an endowment effectively is more critical than ever to provide a stable source of funding that supports long-term missions.

In this episode of Cherry Bekaert’s Not-for-Profits (NFP) podcasts, Jason Sturdevant, NFP Accounting Advisory Manager, is joined by co-host Blakeley Richard, NFP Accounting Advisory Manager, to discuss endowments in the context of educational organizations like private universities or K-12 schools. This episode also covers other information that can benefit any organization looking for best practices regarding their endowments. 

Listen to learn about:

• Endowments and Personnel Transition 
• K-12 Cleanup 
• Endowment Overhaul
• Closeouts
• Navigating Endowment Challenges
• How Cherry Bekaert Can Assist 

Cherry Bekaert's team of professionals is equipped to offer comprehensive advisory services that address the endowment needs of not-for-profits. We ensure that endowment funds are not only preserved but also poised for growth. Their knowledge in crafting tailored solutions allows institutions to align their financial strategies with their long-term goals and mission-driven objectives. Contact us today.

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