The Nonprofit Bookkeeper – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of the week long anniversary series, Aishat shares three key lessons she has learned over the three years of running BAnC Services, a bookkeeping and accounting practice that works predominantly with nonprofits and individual.

She concludes the series with this episode by sharing three quotes that capture the essence of of BAnCServices' journey.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Persistence and consistency are crucial in reaching goals.
• Building a trusted community and giving back yield valuable results.
• Marketing and visibility are essential for growth and sustainability.
• People buy from people they know like and trust
• The results of marketing initiatives is not instant

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice – BAnC Services which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector.

With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits; and shines a light on the often unseen & unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission.

Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers with navigating financial management challenges and is the author of "Money Solutions for Single Mums". She also champions financial literacy among young black adults and thrives in discussions about money management.

Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk

CONNECT

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In this episode of our business anniversary series, I shine a light on Culture Community, a Saturday school for children aged 8 to 16 that focuses on black history, culture, and traditions.

Culture Community provides a safe space for children to discuss their feelings. offers lessons on black leaders and inspirational figures, along with engaging activities and games.

I sit down with the Founder, Precious Graham, to discuss her inspiration for starting the school, the challenges they’ve faced, and their many accomplishments. Precious also shares why they "keep it moving" despite obstacles, her vision for the future of Culture Community, and the partnership between Culture Community and BAnC Services.

Precious explains Kwanzaa (one of their planned activities) the way she has experienced it, as the celebration of Christmas by Rastafarians, though google explains it as an African American celebration.

Tune in to learn more about this vibrant Black Saturday School and the enriching experiences it offers for your child.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Anyone that wants to learn about black history is able to come along.

BEST MOMENTS

“… there may be days when you create something and two people turn up, no matter how many people turn up. You always have to show up, you always have to give them the best experience…”

“… our team is ready to go. Like, we're always ready to pounce, We're not scared of any challenges. We're just ready to roar, let's say that..”.

… you have to always think, in order for this to work, you need to still have finances coming in and then you're able to give out more…”.

"A lot of the children always say to us, we love Culture Community because we feel like we're being listened to. It's not like typical school..."

EPISODE RESOURCES

Find out more: https://www.culturecommunity.co.uk/

Connect: https://www.instagram.com/culturecommunitycic/?hl=en

Follow: https://www.facebook.com/CultureCommunity21/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice – BAnC Services which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector.

With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits; and shines a light on the often unseen & unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission.

Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers with navigating financial management challenges and is the author of "Money Solutions for Single Mums". She also champions financial literacy among young black adults and thrives in discussions about money management.

Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk

CONNECT

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Budgeting is an important tool for mastering and managing a nonprofit’s finances effectively. It is a financial roadmap that outlines income sources and expenses.

So, in this episode, I talk about the basics of budgeting and the pre-requisites for a useful, quality and realistic budget.

If you’ve ever wondered how much funds are available in your non-profit to deliver its mission, what its expenses are and/or how the actual financial operations compare to what you thought it would be; then this episode is for you.

Have a listen to discover practical steps and tips to developing a realistic and useful budget.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Budgeting is crucial for managing non-profit finances effectively.

A budget is a financial roadmap that outlines income sources and expenses.

Estimate income conservatively and include all possible expenses when creating a budget.

Regularly review and adjust the budget as necessary.

BEST MOMENTS

" A budget should be a living document that gets reviewed periodically, rather than treated as a one-time tick-box, static document."

" Set aside a portion of your budget for unexpected expenses or opportunities."

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice – BAnC Services which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector.

With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits; and shines a light on the often unseen & unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission.

Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers with navigating financial management challenges and is the author of "Money Solutions for Single Mums". She also champions financial literacy among young black adults and thrives in discussions about money management.

Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk

CONNECT

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Louise Roe, a seasoned Fundraising professional, shares insights on grant funding and establishing credibility with potential donors. She emphasizes the importance of research when applying for grants and matching values with funders.

Lou shares strategies for cultivating long-term relationships with foundations, leveraging in-kind donations, identifying foundations whose missions align with a non-profit's, and negotiating grant terms. She provides valuable strategies for navigating the challenges of fundraising in the non-profit sector. In this part of the conversation,

We tak about the hidden work involved in fundraising and the need to cover overhead costs.

Lou shares immediately implementable fundraising tips.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Research funders and match values to increase the chances of securing grant funding.

Clear and simple language is crucial in grant proposals.

Researching foundations and looking at similar charities that have been funded can help identify foundations whose missions align with a non-profit's.

Negotiating grant terms is possible, especially when there are changes or challenges that need to be addressed.

Match your grant applications to the interests of the funders and be clear in your proposals.

BEST MOMENTS

"Make sure you fit what funders are looking for."

"Building relationships and networking are key strategies"

"Passion and storytelling are important elements"

"Researching foundations and looking at similar charities"

"Research successful applications"

"Matching interests, clear proposals"

EPISODE RESOURCES

Connect with Lou: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-roe-9440851a4/

Nene Park Gardens: https://www.nenepark.org.uk/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice – BAnC Services which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector.

With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits; and shines a light on the often unseen & unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission.

Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers with navigating financial management challenges and is the author of "Money Solutions for Single Mums". She also champions financial literacy among young black adults and thrives in discussions about money management.

Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk

CONNECT

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In this episode, we recap and reflect on the The Nonprofit Bookkeeper's journey to date.

I also share information about the approach of a summer hiatus and take the opportunity to pause and reflect on some of the topics discussed with guests to date.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice – BAnC Services which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector.

With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits; and shines a light on the often unseen & unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission.

Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers with navigating financial management challenges and is the author of "Money Solutions for Single Mums". She also champions financial literacy among young black adults and thrives in discussions about money management.

Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk

CONNECT

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Today's guest Patrick Regan, Founder of Rights Evaluation Studio, an independent monitoring and evaluation consultant, who brings a wealth of experience from his work with health and human rights organizations, sheds light on the importance of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in the non-profit sector and how to make the most of a limited MEL budget.

We explore the critical elements of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in non-profit organizations and Patrick shares lots of practical tips for making the most of a restricted M&E budget.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• A theory of change is a crucial tool for non-profits to articulate how their activities will lead to long-term impact.
• Participation of stakeholders, including those with lived experience, is key to effective M&E and can lead to more relevant and impactful programs.
• Non-profits can implement a robust M&E system even with limited resources by prioritizing data collection and involving staff with relevant skills.
• Effective communication of M&E findings to donors requires a combination of quantitative and qualitative information, tailored to the preferences of the audience.

BEST MOMENTS

"Monitoring and evaluation is a combination of applied social research and project management principles and practices."

"Stories are often the most compelling way to understand impact."

“… if you have a very scientific donor, they're probably not going to want the story stuff. They're going to want a lot of hard statistics.”

“A lot of resources can be spent sometimes at the wrong time, which limits the impact that budget could have….”

EPISODE RESOURCES

Find out about Rights Evaluation Studio’s services https://rightsevaluation.studio/

Connect with Patrick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-regan-a5725b120/

OECD DAC Principles: https://www.oecd.org/dac/evaluation/daccriteriaforevaluatingdevelopmentassistance.htm

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice – BAnC Services which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector.

With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits; and shines a light on the often unseen & unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission.

Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers with navigating financial management challenges and is the author of "Money Solutions for Single Mums". She also champions financial literacy among young black adults and thrives in discussions about money management.

Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk

CONNECT

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In this episode of the Nonprofit Bookkeeper, you host Aishat, discusses Financial Sustainability in non-profits. She talks about a two-prong approach to financial sustainability and outlines three actionable steps each for optimizing income and managing costs, all aimed at bolstering your non=profit's financial resilience.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Financial sustainability in non-profits is about securing the resources needed to carry out the mission over the long term.

Being a going concern is not the same as being financially sustainable

Diversifying income streams and developing grant writing expertise can enhance financial sustainability.

Reviewing expenses, building reserves, and engaging in long-term planning contribute to financial sustainability.

BEST MOMENTS

"Financial sustainability is like having the proper training, nutrition, and pacing strategy for a runner to complete the race."

"Say thank you to your donors by acknowledging them and keeping them up to date on the impact their grant is making."

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice – BAnC Services which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector.

With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits; and shines a light on the often unseen & unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission.

Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers with navigating financial management challenges and is the author of "Money Solutions for Single Mums". She also champions financial literacy among young black adults and thrives in discussions about money management.

Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk

CONNECT

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In this episode, we delve into the world of CICs with Fiona Sanders, Co - Director of Miss S, a seasoned expert in CIC accounting. Despite navigating her own health challenges, Fiona's passion for socially conscious finance shines through as she offers invaluable advice for those operating within or considering starting a CIC.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• CICs are intended to trade and generate income, while charities rely more on grants and donations.
• When applying for grants, read the questions carefully and answer them directly, and make sure to include all necessary costs in the budget
• Engaging bid writers may not always lead to success, as a personal approach is often needed for smaller organizations

BEST MOMENTS

“… If they're looking to make money themselves, then a CIC is not the right entity for them. They should be looking at a regular limited company....”

“… CICs are really a halfway house between a commercial limited organization, limited company and a charity,”

EPISODE RESOURCES

Find out more about MISSS https://misss.co.uk/

Join the CIC hub https://www.facebook.com/groups/562645194719543

Connect with Fiona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-sanderson-misss/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice – BAnC Services which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector.

With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits; and shines a light on the often unseen & unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission.

Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers with navigating financial management challenges and is the author of "Money Solutions for Single Mums". She also champions financial literacy among young black adults and thrives in discussions about money management.

Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk

CONNECT

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In this inspiring episode of "The Nonprofit Bookkeeper," I sit down with the passionate and driven Denise Stephenson, a lawyer turned advocate who is dedicated to uplifting young black and brown children through her charity, Reach Out to Kids (RO2K). As co-founder of Emancipated Run Crew as well, she's making strides in creating inclusive spaces within the running community.

Denise story of resilience, determination and proving doubters wrong by becoming a successful lawyer and later pivoting to full-time charity work, is a must listen! Through RO2K, Denise is breaking barriers & paving the way for future generations. She highlights the invisible work that goes on behind the scenes to support the mission of RO2K.

This episode is more than an insight into non-profit management; it is about advocacy, breaking stereotypes, and changing narratives—one child at a time!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Funding is a major challenge for non-profits, and multi-year funding is needed for sustainable growth.
• The application process for funding can be time-consuming and challenging, especially for smaller organizations.
• Partnerships with corporate organizations can provide valuable funding and support.

BEST MOMENTS

“… we had a shoot, a student showcase, where we were celebrating the work that the students did for the. Mayor of London's challenge, seeing those children, those young people get up and talk in front of an audience of people, whereas when they started, some of them were SCN students. They wouldn't even talk. When we first got them, they would not talk. They wouldn't put their hands up. They wouldn't volunteer to mentor. They wouldn't do any of it. At the end of it, they were standing on a stage. Presenting their ideas in a very professional, passionate way, I almost cried...”

EPISODE RESOURCES

Find out more about RO2K https://www.linkedin.com/company/rok-reach-out-2-kids/

Connect with Denise: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisestephenson2/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice – BAnC Services which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector.

With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits; and shines a light on the often unseen & unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission.

Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers with navigating financial management challenges and is the author of "Money Solutions for Single Mums". She also champions financial literacy among young black adults and thrives in discussions about money management.

Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk

CONNECT

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In this episode, your host, Aishat discusses the differences between cash accounting and accrual accounting in non-profit financial management. The benefits and drawbacks of each method are explored and she concludes with three things to consider when deciding on which is appropriate for the non-profit

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Cash accounting records income and expenses based on the exchange of cash,
• accrual accounting records them based on entitlement and incurring of expenses.
• Accrual accounting provides a more holistic financial picture.

BEST MOMENTS

“… One records transactions on exchange of cash and the other records transaction on entitlement and….”

“… the larger and more established non-profits will benefit from the holistic view provided by accrual accounting.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

Charity reporting and accounting: the essentials November 2016 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice – BAnC Services which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector.

With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits; and shines a light on the often unseen & unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission.

Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers with navigating financial management challenges and is the author of "Money Solutions for Single Mums". She also champions financial literacy among young black adults and thrives in discussions about money management.

Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk

CONNECT

https://www.instagram.com/npbookkeeper/

https://www.tiktok.com/@npbookkeeper?lang=en