Gloria Nedved, CEO, Ripple Creek Business Solutions, Inc., Denver, CO
"Short, concise, and not intimidating, with many reproducible forms. The internal control sections are wonderful."


William K. Flowers, CPA, Financial Consultant, Nonprofit Financial Center, Chicago, IL
"The step-by-step approach combined with the tips , sample forms, and the audit preparation checklist are of tremendous value."


Anita Moreno-Navarro, Office Manager, Texas Nonprofit Network, San Antonio, TX
"The step-by-step flow of information in this books answers the what, when, why, and how questions non-accountants have about bookkeeping."


Dawn Scranton, Administrator, Accounting Directors Inc., West Palm Beach, FL
"Bookkeeping Basics is a ‘must have.’ It’s essential for synchronizing the efforts of all of your staff members."


Book Description
Many nonprofits don’t have a trained bookkeeper on staff. This crucial function goes to whoever has the time and the willingness to do it. Lack of accounting training is frustrating for the individual and risky for the nonprofit. Inaccurate or incomplete bookkeeping can lead to poor financial decisions, potential misuse of funds, and, in extreme cases, fraud. Bookkeeping Basics: What Every Nonprofit Bookkeeper Needs to Know, will enable nonprofits to successfully meet the basic bookkeeping requirements of their organization. This hands-on guide gives the novice bookkeeper the knowledge and skills to track the financial activity of their nonprofit in a way that brings order out of chaos, safeguards the organization’s assets, and provides useful information for making sound decisions. Authors Debra L. Ruegg and Lisa M. Venkatrathnam guide readers through the concepts and processes that every bookkeeper needs to know, including: • Single- vs. double-entry bookkeeping • Cash vs. accrual basis accounting • Posting financial transactions • Keeping a "paper trail" of source documents • Preparing a trial balance • Creating financial statements • Establishing internal controls • Preparing for your annual audit • Closing out your fiscal year The authors clearly define such terms as debits and credits, assets and liabilities, charts of accounts, segregation of duties, and more, then add a glossary at the back for ready reference. Reproducible charts and forms include an accounts payable register, accounts receivable register, general ledger, financial summary form, grant tracking form, internal controls activity flow chart, and an audit preparation checklist.


About the Author
Debra L. Ruegg is a principal and senior consultant with the LarsonAllen Public Service Group, a leading financial management consulting firm for nonprofits, foundations, and entrepreneurial government entities. She has worked extensively with local and national foundations and nonprofits on financial assessments, financial systems, internal operating systems, and organizational assessments and design. She is coauthor (with Susan Kenny Stevens) of Budgeting Your Way to Financial Stability. Lisa M. Venkatrathnam is a freelance writer and owner of White Fence Communications. She previously served as a consultant at the LarsonAllen Public Service Group. She is coauthor of several books and numerous studies.