Tag Archives: nonprofit organization

Does your Nonprofit Need an Audit?

baudity Brittany Powell

The National Council of Nonprofits’ Audit Guide (“Audit Guide”) can provide your organization with a starting point for making the decision on whether or not your nonprofit organization needs an audit.

As the Audit Guide points out in its “Does your nonprofit need to have an independent audit?” section, nonprofits may be required to have an audit for various reasons including, but not limited to, compliance with specific grant agreements or loan covenants.  Additionally, a nonprofit organization may be required to have a Yellow Book or Single Audit depending on its level of Federal or State expenditures.  A nonprofit with federal expenditures equal to or exceeding $500,000 is required to have a Single Audit.  As discussed in our February 10, 2014 blog post, this threshold will increase to $750,000 beginning with fiscal years beginning on or after December 26, 2014.  This Audit Guide provides a summary for each state’s audit requirements.  North Carolina requires “a non-governmental entity that receives $500,000 or more annually in state funds” to submit a Yellow Book audit.

However, an audit may not be necessary or cost effective for all nonprofit organizations.  A review, while substantially less in scope than an audit, provides limited assurance over an entity’s financial statements.  Therefore, a review can be a viable, less costly alternative to an audit for some nonprofit organizations.

If you are considering an audit or review for your nonprofit, contact someone at our office to help you determine the engagement type that best fits your organization’s needs.  See the Audit Services & Consulting section of our website for more information about audits, reviews, and other services we provide.

Brittany Powell is a Senior Accountant with Langdon & Company LLP.  She specializes in audit, serving a wide variety of nonprofit organizations.

IRS Unveils New Form for Organizations Applying for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status

by Taylor Elliott

On July 1, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Form 1023-EZ as part of its efforts to streamline the application process for organizations seeking tax-exempt status.  The form is specifically designed for charities who wish to be classified as exempt under section 501(c)(3).  An organization must meet several criteria in order to be eligible to apply using the form, including a gross receipts test of $50,000 or less as well as an assets test of $250,000 or less. The form instructions outline additional criteria, including an eligibility worksheet that helps charities determine whether the form is right for them through a series of yes and no questions.

The IRS has indicated that the overall goal in developing Form 1023-EZ is to reduce the time and paperwork associated with providing a charity a determination as to its tax-exempt status. Previously, the IRS has been intensely criticized for a lengthy and cumbersome 1023 application process that includes an application backlog that is many months behind. Until now, all organizations, regardless of size, have been subject to the same 23-page form filled with a seemingly endless list of tedious questions, many of which are not relevant to smaller, simpler charities. After soliciting feedback from impacted parties, the IRS was able to whittle down to Form 1023-EZ, a three-page form containing only the most essential questions pertaining to determination of tax-exempt status of smaller organizations. According to IR-2014-77, as many as 70% of applicants are expected to be eligible to use this form, not only slashing the time spent by those charities in completing the application but also minimizing the time spent by the IRS in reviewing their files. The electronic filing requirement  is  also expected to increase the efficiency of the process. An application fee of $400 must be electronically submitted with the application as well.

For questions about this form or the tax-exempt application process in general, please contact our office.  We would love to discuss with you the ways that Langdon and Company LLP can help your organization obtain and maintain a tax-exempt status.

Taylor Elliott is a tax manager with Langdon & Company LLP. She specializes in tax compliance and planning, working with several not-for-profit organizations in the Triangle area.

Overview of Possible FASB Changes in Non-Profit Reporting Rules

Non ProfitThe Financial Accounting Standards Board recently evaluated the way in which non-profit organizations record and report their financial information and is seeking to make changes that would enable charities to provide more accurate financial information to the general public.

To start with, FASB board members have created a draft document that can be used as a formal operating measure to evaluate any organization that is set up to serve the public good.

Continue reading Overview of Possible FASB Changes in Non-Profit Reporting Rules

Why a Non-Profit Should Hire a CPA Firm?

The provisions of the Internal Revenue Code are complex regarding the tax treatment of non-profit donations, transactions and other recognizable events. An experienced Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is trained in the nuances of non-profit accounting and tax returns, and is capable of assisting management with recordkeeping and tax return preparation.

Utilizing a Raleigh CPA allows management to focus on day-to-day operations, and generate additional streams of income.

Continue reading Why a Non-Profit Should Hire a CPA Firm?

Overview of Possible FASB Changes in Non-Profit Reporting Rules

The Financial Accounting Standards Board recently evaluated the way in which non-profit organizations report their financial information and is seeking to make changes that would enable charities to provide more accurate financial information to the general public.

To start with, FASB board members have created a draft document that can be used as a formal operating measure to evaluate any organization that is set up to serve the public good.

Continue reading Overview of Possible FASB Changes in Non-Profit Reporting Rules