Should You Change Accounting Software?

Bumping this post as a reminder for those who have not yet registered.

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Are you struggling with financial reporting and analysis? Are excel driven manual processes draining your accounting team’s productivity? It’s time to consider new accounting software for your nonprofit, but for what should you be looking?

In The NonProfit Times' latest webinar with Intacct Corporation, all the information you need to decide what type of accounting system your organization needs will be discussed. Speaking during the event will be Bob Blake, founder of Xanergy, and Taylor MacDonald, vice president of channels at Intaact. Both men have decades of combined experience in the accounting software industry for nonprofits, and their tips will be valuable to showing how to simplify the process of selecting new software for your organization.

Here are a few of the topics that Taylor and Bob will be touching on during the webinar:

• Determine what you need from a new accounting system. 
• Make sure the system you select maximizes financial transparency and accountability to the board.
• Find the right vendor by following these 5 best practices. 
• Take advantage of new options made possible by cloud computing. 
• Calculate the ROI you can expect from a new cloud financial management and accounting system. 

As always, it is completely free to register for this webinar, which will begin on September 26 at 2:00 PM EST. Sign up today and learn how you can get your organization on the right track when it comes to accounting.

4 Networking Pitfalls

Networking is one of the best ways to improve your chances of finding a job. If done successfully, you will have a wide range of contacts who will do what they can to find opportunities for you. There is such a thing as bad networking -- and it can do more harm to your chances than if you didn't network at all.

On the surface, it makes sense to interact only with those individuals who have the same interests and skills as you. In reality, however, these contacts are unlikely to get you to the next level. In fact, they may view you as competition. This is not to say you shouldn't have anybody in your network like this; you should just make sure to have a more diversified contact list.

Another bad networking habit is only beginning the process when you don't have a job. You should really be working to make new contacts even when you are employed. Desperation is no way to conduct a job search, and having ready-made contacts to turn to if you become unemployed will be useful. Start developing relationships today but remember, don't ask for favors right away.

Job seekers sometimes make the mistake of choosing quantity over quality. In other words, they have hundreds of contacts, but have neglected to cultivate real relationships with most of them. It's much more effective to have a handful of really good networking contacts than to have hundreds with whom you have no connection.

Finally, you should know exactly what you want when you begin your networking. You obviously want a nonprofit job, but what kind? What position are you specifically looking to obtain? If you don't know what you are looking for, how can someone else help you?

At the end of the day, networking is what you make of it. If you put a lot of time and effort into it, you will get great results. But if you don't take it seriously and make mistakes like the ones listed above, it's not likely to help you much.

Wanted: Chief Financial Officer

UPDATE: Glenelg Country School is also looking to hire a Director of Development. Check the job posting for more details.

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A quick look at the Nonprofit Job Seeker will reveal that many organizations are searching for high-level executives. This trend continues today with our latest featured nonprofit job.

The Glenelg Country School in Maryland is looking to hire a Chief Financial Officer to carry out the mission of the school in  the financial, business and operations areas. The chosen candidate will begin on July 1, 2013 and will report to the Head of School. The CFO is a member of the Head’s Senior Administrative Team, interacts closely with various committees of the Board of Trustees and is responsible for stewardship of the school’s financial and physical assets, budgeting, investments, financial planning and plant operations.

It goes without saying that this position will require applicants to have a pretty extensive resume. Here are some the qualifications for which Glenelg Country School is looking:

• MBA or CPA in related field;
• Minimum of ten years’ experience in senior leadership role in a non-profit educational setting preferably with five years as CFO or equivalent; and,
• Knowledge of fund accounting, developing and managing budgets, strategic resource allocation, financial reporting and forecasting, and facilities management.

Head over to our career center to read more about what it takes to become a Chief Financial Officer.

6 Job Search Myths

People tend to follow conventional wisdom when they approach something that is new. Take the job search, for instance. People looking for work will often get advice telling them what they should and should not do. Much of this information is spot on, but there are some statements out there that simply aren't true.

Myths exist in almost every field and are usually rooted in truth. Most of them are harmless but in the job search, they can do a lot of harm. Here are some of the most popular falsehoods out there:

• There are no jobs available: Just because the economy is bad doesn't mean there are no jobs. A quick look at our job board will show you there are lot of organizations looking to hire. It's just that it's much harder to get a job because there is so much competition.
• All good jobs are found online: While a lot of companies post their open positions online, that's not the only place you can find them. You can still find a a lot of quality jobs through traditional career networking.
• Don't bother with temp jobs: Temporary positions and internships can actually be of great help to you. In many occasions, they can even lead to full-time jobs.
• Being unemployed long-term will hurt your job prospects: This is only true if you don't spend your time wisely. Look for volunteer positions while you are out of work so there won't be big gaps in your resume.
• Take what you can get: The worst thing you can do is to settle for a job you don't really want. This can be disastrous for your future career prospects, as you will need to explain why you took a job that is below your skill level.
• Employers don't take social media seriously: This couldn't be further from the truth. Employers regularly search through candidates' social media profiles, as it gives them a better idea of who the applicant really is.

Sound Telecommuting Policies For Nonprofits

The topic of telecommuting has come up on this blog in the past as it relates to job seekers. Should they consider it when applying for work? What is the advantage of working from home as opposed to at the office? These are all questions that have been discussed in previous posts.

As big of an issue as it is for job hunters, telecommuting affects employers just as much.

Having employees work remotely can sometimes be a hassle. While technology has allowed remote workers to better interact with their co-workers, it can still be hard when an individual is not around to give instant feedback. Any nonprofit that allows telecommuting must have sound policies in place to make sure things run smoothly.

Jeff Tenenbaum, who chairs the Nonprofit Organizations Practice Group at Venable LLP, suggested several components that organizations need to include when creating telecommuting policies. These include:

• A clear definition of “telecommuting” for purposes of the telecommuting policy and any agreements between the employer and the employee;
• Easy-to-understand eligibility requirements;
• The steps of the telecommuting-approval procedure;
• Clarity that participation in the telecommuting program is a privilege and not a right, subject to revocation at any time for any lawful reason;
• Notice that abuse of telecommuting can result in disciplinary action, including termination;
• Understanding of the employer’s right to inspect the home-based work environment;
• A non-disclosure and confidentiality agreement;
• Statement of the employer’s right to change the terms of its telecommuting policy; and,
• Clear language that the telecommuting employee is expected to meet the same performance standards as on-site employees.

Featured Nonprofit Job: Raiser's Edge Database Supervisor

The worst part about vacations is having to get back to the job search after a relaxing weekend. It can be frustrating looking for work after a bit of a layoff. To help get you back in the swing of things, take a look at this just-posted featured nonprofit job from the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles (GSGLA).

The organization is looking to hire a Raiser's Edge Database Supervisor to maintain the integrity of all donor records. Raiser's Edge is a donor database program designed by nonprofit software giant Blackbaud, so you must have advanced knowledge of the program if you are to be considered. Other duties performed by this position include:

• Supervising the Database Assistant to oversee the processing, acknowledgement, maintenance, and reporting of all donations and pledges.
• Providing accurate weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual donor reports with analysis for Executive Leadership Team.
• Working with the Fund Development team to create new reports and track donations against the annual revenue budget.
• Serving as the primary liaison between Fund Development and Accounting to ensure monthly reconciliations and provide support for the annual audit.
• Overseeing the processing of donations from Raiser’s Edge Interactive Net Community, other online giving portals, and the GSGLA membership database.
• Running mailing lists for all GSGLA appeals and publication mailings. Provides training and technical support for GSGLA staff as needed.

As was mentioned before, candidates must have an advanced knowledge (minimum of 5 years) of Raiser's Edge to be considered for the position. The other qualifications for the job are as follows:

• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel and Word.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work with people at all levels of the organization and to provide Board and Executive Leadership Team with accurate and clear reporting.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Excellent customer service skills and ability to work well and cooperatively under deadlines.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Information Technology preferred.

If you meet all of the above requirements and are interested in the job, head to our career center to read more information and apply.

The NonProfit Times' September Issue Is Now Online

I'd like to take a break from the job search for a moment to announce to our readers that the September 1 issue of The NonProfit Times is now online for your reading pleasure.

The September 1 edition of NPT focuses a number of major issues in the nonprofit sector today, from professional development to management concerns. Let's take a look at the articles and columns that appear in this issue:

Special Report

• Professional Development/Continuing Education: This month's special report focuses on the different levels of difficulty that come with pursuing continuing education in the nonprofit sector.

Articles

• Mergers Keep Doors Open, Refocuses Management: It’s unclear precisely how many charities have closed as a direct result of the recession or whether they’ve merged with other nonprofits. At the very least, industry analysts say, there’s much more discussion about mergers and strategic alliances or partnerships these days.
• Musical Chairs At Komen, Brinker Stays And Goes: A media firestorm regarding pink powerhouse Susan G. Komen for the Cure defunding of Planned Parenthood, and its eventual reversal, started this past February and put the organization in the spotlight for reasons unrelated to its usual marketing prowess.
• With Election Around The Corner, Charities Must Tread Carefully: Guest authors Janice M. Ryan and Ronald M. Jacobs present an in-depth guide of what 501(c)(3)s can legally do in terms of political advocacy.

Columns

• Stage One Is Denial: Our editor-in-chief Paul Clolery thinks Nancy Brinker needs to leave the organization, rather than just switching roles.
• Time, Task And Turf: Frequent NPT contributor Thomas A. McLaughlin shares the three areas that are most likely to shape board member behavior.

Head over to the NPT website to view these articles and, if you have a digital subscription, view the whole issue.