Too many nonprofit leaders quietly avoid their own finances, trusting that a clean audit or a capable CPA means everything is handled, and that blind spot can put a mission at real risk. In this episode, Patton talks with Sean Hale, founder of Nonprofit CFOs, who busts five money myths that hold organizations back: that the audit has them covered, that finance is the CPA’s job, that nonprofits aren’t supposed to make a profit, that confusing financial reports are just part of the territory, and that you say yes to whatever a funder asks.

Get our take on budgeting, who needs to understand the finances, and more in this podcast.

Don’t look for CPA. Try this instead.

The most successful executive directors take an active role in their nonprofit’s financial strategy. They don’t have to be a CPA or start doing the CPA’s job, but they do need to have basic financial literacy in order to effectively participate in financial decisions.

What’s a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement? When does a nonprofit need a CPA on staff? How do we engage our board in finances? Bria Arline interviews Sean Hale on these topics and more in this podcast.

Do you think you need a CPA to be your treasurer? Think again! Check out this video and interview to learn why.

You can be a great treasurer without being a CPA, accountant, or financial professional. And some CPAs make awful treasurers. Want to know what qualifications to focus on instead?