Finance Reports Field Guide

Ever sat in a finance meeting feeling like the numbers are written in another language? You’re not alone. Most nonprofit leaders, board and staff alike, aren’t accountants — but you still have to explain the reports to your board, keep your staff in the loop, and actually use the info to make decisions. That’s a tall order when all you see are rows of numbers and mysterious terms like “net assets” or “cash flow from operations.” Here’s the good news: these reports aren’t as complicated as they look. In fact, you already use everyday versions of them in your own life — your checking account, your budget, even your personal net worth. The Financial Reports Field Guide will help you: • Get the gist of the three big reports without drowning in details. • Translate the jargon into plain talk for your board and staff. • Spot the story in the numbers so you can actually act on them. By the end, you won’t just be reading reports. You’ll be telling the financial story of your nonprofit with confidence — and helping everyone else get on the same page, too.