Category: Technology

Nonprofit organizations are far more likely to use Cloud computing technology now than they were even just a few short years ago. The Cloud enables your organization to have a flexible and mobile work environment, and that’s leading to higher employee satisfaction and productivity. The Cloud is an important way to better connect staff and improve interaction with nonprofit constituents.

Over the past several weeks, we have looked at the need for your nonprofit to consider updating to a financial reporting solution in the Cloud, what being Cloud-based means, the important features offered through Cloud solutions, and how the Cloud is beneficial in addressing many challenges that organizations face all the time. To learn more about these benefits that solve issues for nonprofits through Cloud solutions, visit here.

The Cloud offers so many benefits to nonprofits including driving cost efficiencies. It also encourages a flexible and mobile environment for staff to work in that gives them the access, experience, and richness they want. Not only that, but Cloud computing increases productivity, satisfaction, and flexibility that keep staff happy even with the endless demands they face as a nonprofit.

Ultimately, these staff benefits of using the Cloud funnel down to allowing them to engage more with the people and purpose behind your nonprofit mission. That is what we, the Beck and Company Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors, ultimately desire for your nonprofit and will do what it takes to help you achieve engagement and success as an organization. For starters, you’ll need a Cloud computing system that offers these benefits and consultations to help you understand, implement, and best use it. We offer technology consulting services for this purpose. In addition, we desire to partner with you and help with the financial and accounting aspects of your organization in order to help you stay focused on its mission. Therefore, we would be happy to conduct your nonprofit financial audits to give you the information you need to keep accounting practices functioning as they should be to further your success.

Now, let’s take a closer look at how your organization can maximize success in Cloud transformation initiatives that lead to engagement with nonprofit constituents across the board (staff, people benefitting from your nonprofit services, Board of Director members, etc.):

1. Make the transformation and transition to the Cloud a continuous process. Cloud computing adoption should not be viewed as another project but instead as a journey that spans from strategy through execution.
2. Drive the transition to Cloud computing from the top down. Directors and board members should manage the decisions and processes that make up the transformation/transition and guide strategic decisions that are then shared with the staff and ultimately benefit those the nonprofit reaches.
3. Focus on strong leadership and engagement. Organizational alignment is important to managing the change. Focus on getting buy-in from staff and support of constituents.
4. Collaborate. Nonprofit staff and IT consultants should collaborate to help embed change into every aspect of an organization. Cloud transformations are successful when everyone is working side by side.
5. Measure success. Develop realistic and measurable outcomes for Cloud initiatives that are linked to organizational goals.

Contact us here at Beck and Company CPAs to find out more about the Cloud computing opportunities that await you and how they work through our technology consulting services. In addition, Beck and Company CPAs want to partner with you as accountants to help you get your nonprofit finances in order by conducting a financial nonprofit audit on your organization’s behalf. We want to help you engage as a nonprofit with all of your constituents, and Cloud computing plus financial audits can help you do just that!

It is highly likely that all nonprofit organizations would say they could leverage technology more to be of benefit to their nonprofit. Exchanging information using paper or outdated systems won’t allow you to keep up. Our world necessitates that you keep up with the business world as a nonprofit or you likely won’t survive long. Therefore, you need a Cloud computing solution that will allow you to keep up with financial reporting and accounting tasks while saving money not buying a robust software solution that is too much for your organization and too costly as well. The Beck and Company Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors know that technology understanding and financial audits can both be daunting for nonprofits. That is why we offer technology consulting services where we can help you understand and get a Cloud computing solution to meet your needs. We also carry out audits that can give you a better glimpse into your financial reality as an organization that can also highlight your need for a Cloud solution that will make financial reporting and accounting practices in the long term.

Over the past couple weeks, we have looked at the need for your nonprofit to consider updating to a financial reporting solution in the Cloud, what being Cloud-based means, and the important features offered through Cloud solutions. With this background knowledge, let’s dive in deeper to why all of this really matters for your nonprofit by looking at how Cloud computing will ultimately benefit your organization.

The challenges facing nonprofits are many and include how to use technology effectively, how to enhance productivity, and how to recruit and retain talented staff members. Here’s more information about each challenge and how Cloud solutions can be of benefit in addressing these challenges:

Using Technology Effectively

Nearly every person is a consumer of technology. This means a myriad of choices for everything from mobile devices to tablets and laptops exist. Cloud-based applications are hardware insensitive enabling a user to work on any platform they choose. This allows each member of your organization’s team to use technology as they prefer to use it using whichever device they find most comfortable for them. With flexibility comes comfort, yet you won’t compromise the essentials because all constituents can work with and access the same important data on the Cloud computing system. The beauty is that it’s just on the device they prefer to use!

Enhancing Productivity

Is your financial information spread across multiple databases and filing systems? Cloud-based solutions facilitate the adoption of digital, optimized workflows. This means you won’t be searching for information in a variety of places or losing time in completing tasks. Being able to work efficiently regardless of location can lead to higher productivity. There’s no need to access multiple software and paper databases to get the information you need. A Cloud system allows you to store all of the data you’ll need in one place. Let the Cloud manage all the information in one place, and you won’t lose time getting it when you need it.

Recruit and retain great staff members

The world is always changing, and your organization will need to keep up in order to attract new staff as it grows. The key is to offer an environment that can support flexible working hours, a work/life balance, opportunities to develop professionally, and the opportunity to work with leading edge technology. Potential staff members are attracted to organizations that are keeping up with these trends in addition to making a difference in their sector and in the world as a whole. The Cloud allows this to happen because it offers flexibility of access, time, and use of any technological device. A Could-based work environment allows flexible working arrangements.

As you strive to effectively use technology, enhance productivity, and recruit and retain a great staff, your nonprofit will benefit from Cloud computing solutions that allow you to achieve these goals with ease. The Cloud benefits are many, and the challenges faced can be reduced simultaneously. Contact us here at Beck and Company CPAs so we can help you transition to the Cloud and use this technology to make audits easier. It would be our privilege to conduct an audit for your nonprofit, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Just like businesses, nonprofit organizations need to keep up with the technology of the time. The potential found in Cloud computing software to transform your financial reporting and make the complications of nonprofit accounting records easier is worth strong consideration. To learn more about the need for this and what being Cloud-based really means, visit here. Beck and Company Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors know that nonprofits need solutions to help them with the accounting side of operations as well as the important work of fulfilling their mission. With Cloud computing in place, your audit processes will also be more streamlined and simplified. Learn more about our technology consulting services to help you get the help you need to transition to the Cloud. Then, learn more about our financial auditing services that we can conduct to help your nonprofit with its accounting and process needs using the information you have stored in the Cloud. The Cloud provides some key features for nonprofits that are not available with on premise software solutions.

Let’s take a closer look at the key features of Cloud computing that would be useful for nonprofits:

• Always accessible- anywhere at any time

Cloud-based applications keep work online in a password-protected database with exclusive and secure access control. It’s easy to log in on any computer or mobile device with a web browser and Internet connection. This could be from the office, at home, at an off-site meeting, or anywhere else you need to be. Total connectivity on the go is a key feature needed in our mobile world!

• Data and information stored safely and reliably

Data reliability is closely related to data security. In essence, organizational information stored in the Cloud is available whenever it needs to be referenced. Cloud computing solutions protect data reliability in a number of ways, including redundant servers and automatic backup.

Natural disasters at the office building won’t wipe out your nonprofit altogether if a Cloud solution is being used to store operational information. Information is still intact and secure in the Cloud, running on redundant hardware and backed up for complete continuity. By simply logging on to what is stored on the Cloud, you’ll get back to your important work without losing time or information. When it comes to data security and disaster recovery, Cloud computing solutions offer the robustness needed to handle whatever unexpected events may come your way.

• Initial implementation and upfront costs are lower than other solutions

Cloud-based software systems offer a lower start-up cost and can assist in smoothing out processes. Rather than paying for costly license fees up front and annually for continuing software maintenance, Cloud-based applications are different. The best part is that paying for ongoing maintenance and fixes is substantially reduced with Cloud systems that are automatically being maintained and upgraded.  This is a significant benefit to nonprofits who are always needing to save money where they can. Typically, Cloud solutions are paid for based on storage space needed or number of users which makes them ideal for nonprofits of all shapes and sizes who are not large corporations that can afford seemingly unlimited systems and features.

• System updates automatically

The Cloud is automatically updated by the provider of Cloud computing solutions so the real-time version is always the most current. This eliminates the need to use precious time waiting for software updates to be installed, and the latest features are always ready to use and are readily available.

• Enhanced efficiency

Collaboration and productivity are assisted with solutions in the Cloud. This happens because as newer Cloud-based applications become available and are integrated into the system, they are available instantaneously and offer immediate benefits. Remember, with Cloud solutions, what is accessible to you on your software is also available to everyone else using the same system with no lag time in sharing information and collaborating. Your organization’s staff can work together more seamlessly than ever before!

• Less maintenance required

With a Cloud-based system, it is time to say goodbye to work interruptions for IT fixes! This means upgrades happen in the background without any disruptions, allowing your nonprofit operations to stay fully functional at all times.

Beck and Company CPAs are here to help with getting your accounting needs as nonprofits up to par through Cloud computing consulting assistance, and by carrying out your audits for you using the data and financial accounting information stored on the Cloud. Contact us to learn more.

It may seem like a distant memory now or could possibly be a very recent reality for you, but no matter when your nonprofit began, the start-up process likely had similar feelings and realities. There was great emotion and excitement of the possibilities and potential impact your organization could make, yet fear and trepidation of the unknowns. Money was tight, and needs (personnel, supplies, etc.) were great. “Extra” was only in your vocabulary to represent all of the needs for more time, resources, space, etc. As your nonprofit grows, some of these extremes have likely been reduced a bit, but it is also so easy to be involved in the day-to-day operations that you forget about the need to keep up and get ahead. If this is your reality, are you potentially overlooking important technology that could propel your nonprofit forward through modern Cloud computing options?

As nonprofits, your organization likely grew organically and only added on technology as it was desperately needed and when it could be afforded. This approach allowed your organization to adequately address immediate needs but nothing more. You may see your nonprofit still lagging behind the time, or may be noticing that the systems you do have are simply unfit and underqualified for the demands of keeping accounting and financial reporting systems updated in our modern world. It’s hard to keep up with the technology industry that changes so quickly and costs so much, but poorly integrated systems may end up being more costly due to lost productivity, poor data accuracy, and unnecessary delays or errors in accounting processes and reporting. Realistically, these factors translate into lost opportunity for your nonprofit. Although many bells and whistles exist that aren’t necessary, there are some that are necessary. If there is one solution you’ll need to keep up, it is Cloud computing. The growing trend of transferring financial reporting to Cloud computing venues eliminates many issues but also provides for many opportunities.

Do you want to create an advantage by adopting Cloud-based technology and achieve more work efficiency at the same time? Over the past few years, Cloud computing has emerged as a powerful tool to do just that. It offers sophisticated automation, freedom from hardware-based solutions, a substantial decrease in the need for lots of costly Information Technology assistance and support, and secure and instant access to information anywhere at any time. Beck and Company Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors believe these factors can take your organization to a whole new level of success because they allow you to have your reporting needs met with only the level of robustness you need based on the size of your organization. Ultimately, this technology will help you have your finances in order and more readily accessible. At Beck and Company CPAs, we can help you use this more accurate and real-time data to make nonprofit financial audits easy. Learn more about our auditing services. We also offer technology consulting services to help you get what you need in a Cloud form. Find out more here. Now, let’s take a closer look at what Cloud-based technology is all about.

What is Cloud-based technology?

Cloud-based technology is often referred to as Software as a Service (SaaS). With a SaaS solution, staff can begin working immediately with the new software from any device with an Internet connection. Cloud-based solutions bundle all that you need– hardware, network, storage, services and software—into one system that is accessed anywhere, anytime via a web browser. Cloud computing applications support many of the things you already use online for your nonprofit including:

• Email

• Banking

• Applications

• Social media sites including Facebook or LinkedIn

Contact Beck and Company CPAs to find out more about why your nonprofit would benefit from the Cloud and how you can get a Cloud accounting solution to keep your financial records in order and make the nonprofit financial audits we would be pleased to conduct for you less complicated.