Episodes

  • Quality Control
    Nov 16 2022

    Is there anyone less popular than an accounting firm’s Quality Control Department? On today’s episode, Brad Muniz from SobelCo chats with Amy about how nonprofit finance pros can stop seeing QC as the bad cop, and instead welcome them as a valuable advisor.


    Further Resources:


    Brad Muniz - CPA, CGMA, SobelCo

    https://sobelcollc.com/about/our-people/brad-muniz/

    

    Amy Karson - Chief Executive Officer, Brand K Partners

    https://www.brandkpartners.com/



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    23 mins
  • Fundraising in the Current Economic Environment
    Oct 26 2022

    Staying engaged with your donors is the name of the game in the nonprofit realm. That’s easier said than done in a world that’s increasingly leaning on remote tech. So, how exactly do we grow a team of supporters, express sincere gratitude, maintain infectious energy, and keep those essential face-to-face interactions with the people behind our mission?


    Stephanie Arcella, co-founder of TakeTwo services, joins us and brings a fascinating dual-perspective of someone who’s not only a talented fundraiser but also an experienced social worker. She’s our guide on this episode of The Balance — shining light on the heavy work we have to be doing, as well as some opportunities to lighten the load.


    Further Resources:


    Stephanie Arcella - Co-founder, Take Two Services

    https://www.take2services.com/who-we-are/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniearcella/

    https://mobile.twitter.com/take2services


    Amy Karson - Chief Executive Officer, Brand K Partners

    https://www.brandkpartners.com/



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    27 mins
  • Nonprofit Accounting Standards
    Oct 5 2022

    Regulations for managing nonprofit finance can be a bit of a moving target. Organizations like the Financial Accounting and Standards Board exist not only to set the standard, but to educate and disseminate information to our nonprofit world. In this episode, we have someone bringing broad experience as an auditor, controller, preparer, and user. Rick Cole, partner at FORVIS Accounting, joins Amy to talk about staying updated and informed in an ever-changing financial landscape.


    Further Resources:

    Richard Cole - Partner, FORVIS Accounting

    https://www.forvis.com/

    Amy Karson - Chief Executive Officer, Brand K Partners

    https://www.brandkpartners.com/



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    29 mins
  • Fiscal Governance and the Board of Directors
    Sep 21 2022

    Your Board of Directors can be your organization’s greatest asset, but only if they are properly engaged and utilized. In this episode, Amy talks to Dennis Miller of DCM about what the Board’s role should (and shouldn’t) be when it comes to fiscal governance, and how to make sure your Board is leading your organization forward instead of holding it back!

    Further Resources:

    Dennis Miller - Founder and Chairman of DCM

    https://denniscmiller.com/

    Amy Karson - Chief Executive Officer, Brand K Partners
    https://www.brandkpartners.com/

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    22 mins
  • Managing Restricted Grants
    Sep 7 2022

    Successfully managing grant money is a huge task for any nonprofit. On today’s episode, Amy and her colleague Priya Pachkawde talk with Fraser Mooney of Doctors of the World about navigating grant restrictions, building good relationships with funders, and why not all money is worth taking.

    Further Resources:

    Fraser Mooney - Executive Director, Doctors of the World
    https://doctorsoftheworld.org/who-we-are/our-team/fraser-mooney/

    Priya Pachkawde - Vice President, Brand K Partners

    Amy Karson - Chief Executive Officer, Brand K Partners
    https://www.brandkpartners.com/

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    29 mins
  • Managing Finances During a Leadership Transition
    Jun 22 2022

    Diana Breen — “The Transition Whisperer” — is a career interim CEO who has guided nonprofits through all kinds of challenging situations. On this week’s episode of The Balance, Diana talks with Amy about navigating institutional change without fear and maintaining sound financial management when your organization is in flux.

    Further Resources:

    Diana Breen - Interim Executive Director/CEO

    https://www.dianabreen.com/

    Amy Karson - Chief Executive Officer, Brand K Partners

    https://www.brandkpartners.com/

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    33 mins
  • Effectively Communicating Financial Information
    Jun 10 2022

    As accountants, bookkeepers, and financial planners, we’re excellent at understanding numbers. Talking about them can sometimes be challenging. In this episode, communication expert Don Waisanen speaks with Amy about how to present financial information in a way that keeps your audience informed, engaged, and confident!

    Further Resources:

    Don Waisanen - Founder and President, Communication Upward

    https://commupward.com/

    Amy Karson - Chief Executive Officer, Brand K Partners
    https://www.brandkpartners.com/

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    38 mins
  • Transitioning from Private Sector to Nonprofit Accounting & Finance Roles
    May 4 2022

    For many people working in corporate finance and accounting positions, transitioning to the nonprofit sector may seem like a magical opportunity — passionate co-workers coming together to save the world...what could be better? The truth is that nonprofit work isn’t for everyone, and presents its own unique set of challenges. On today’s episode, Amy chats with Leigh Tucker of CliftonLarsonAllen about what a finance pro should consider before making the leap to working for a nonprofit, and what a nonprofit leader should consider before hiring a CFO from the corporate world.

    Further Resources:

    Leigh Tucker - Principal, CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)

    https://www.claconnect.com/

    Amy Karson - Chief Executive Officer, Brand K Partners
    https://www.brandkpartners.com/

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    23 mins