non-profit 2013 financial outlook survey report
DESCRIPTION
A recent survey, conducted by Veris Consulting and Brittenford Systems, questioned Non-Profit executives in the Washington DC Metro area about the 2013 financial outlook for their organization including: Financial or Business Outlook Financial Reporting Practices Financial SystemsTRANSCRIPT
Non-Profit 2013 Financial Outlook, Reporting & SystemsSurvey report | December 2012
1 NoN-Profit 2013 fiNaNcial outlook, rePortiNg aNd SyStemS
Non-Profit 2013 Financial Outlook, Reporting and Systems
Executive Summary
A survey of non-profit organizations and associations in the Washington, DC region was conducted in September of 2012, to determine an outlook for 2013, including:
• Financial and Business Outlook
• Financial Reporting Practices
• Financial Systems
The results provide non-profit executives with insights into the financial outlook, priorities, and challenges that face non-profits in 2013.
Key findings of the non-profit survey include a majority (71%) of those surveyed expecting growth in 2013 (vs. 2012), and only 5% contracting. The top three financial priorities for 2013 include rethinking revenue model and income generation strategies, improving program results and metrics, and expanding fundraising and development.
In terms of financial reporting practices, only 22% present financial and operational metrics to management and the Board through a dashboard. Key findings regarding financial systems include 50% of respondents use some cloud services and intend to use more in the future, and 62% are not considering upgrading or replacing any business systems.
There are a variety of financial challenges that non-profits will face in 2013. The top financial challenges for 2013 include the lack of revenue stream consistency, new non-dues revenue streams, expanding fundraising and revenue, maintaining programs with fewer resources, and diversifying revenue and identifying new sources.
The majority of survey respondents were from membership & trade associations (62%), and charitable non-profits (35%). All sizes of non-profits were represented: 35% with annual revenues of $1 - $4.99 million, 22% with revenues of both $5 – 9.99 million and $25 million or more, 15% with revenues of $10 – 24.99 million, and less than 7% with revenues less than $1 million. Almost half (49%) have 11-50 employees. And finally, the majority of participants were non-profit CFOs, Executive Directors, or CEOs.
Included in this survey report are detailed summaries and charts for each survey question, categorized by Financial Outlook, Financial Reporting, and Financial Systems. For reference, survey respondent demographics are provided at the end of the report. The survey was conducted by Veris Consulting and Brittenford Systems.
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Non-Profit 2013 Financial Outlook
QUESTION:
How would you describe your growth outlook for 2013?
The growth outlook is optimistic with 71% planning to grow in 2013. The majority of respondents (58%) indicated that they expect a 1-9% revenue growth in 2013, over 2012. 24% expect a 0% growth over 2012. 13% expect 10-20% revenue growth in 2013. Only 5% predict a year of contracting revenue, or negative growth over 2012.
1-9% growth over 2012
0% growth over 2012
10-20% growth over 2012
Negative growth over 2012
QUESTION:
Overall, what are your hiring plans for 2013?
The hiring outlook is stable with the majority maintaining FT staff and hiring 1-3 FT staff, and a very small portion planning to decrease FT staff. 59% of those surveyed indicated that they would maintain their full time staff and not make any additions. On the other hand, 27% intend to hire 1-2 full time staff, and 13% expect to hire 3 or more full time staff. Only 1% plan to decrease full time staff in 2013.
Plan to maintain FT staff
Plan to hire 1-2 FT staff
Plan to hire 3+ FT staff
Plan to decrease FT staff
58.23%
59.49%
26.58%
12.66%
1 .27%
24.05%
12.66%
5.06%
3 NoN-Profit 2013 fiNaNcial outlook, rePortiNg aNd SyStemS
QUESTION:
What are your top three financial priorities for 2013?
The top 3 financial priorities for 2013 include rethinking revenue models and income generation strategies (47%), improving program results and metrics (44%), and expanding fundraising and development (42%). Automating fiscal controls and systems (9%) and improving the accuracy of financial reporting (8%) are not a top priority for the majority of respondents.
Other priorities include launching a fundraising campaign, growing non-dues revenue, increasing investment in staff salaries and benefits, and purchasing and implementing new AMS.
Rethink revenue model & income generation strategies
Implement new financial management system
Implement operational efficiencies
Improve program results & metrics
Automate fiscal controls & systems
Manage reserves & investments
Expand fundraising & development
Improve accuracy of financial reporting
Improve business process automation
Reduce operational costs
Other
Access financing to grow operations
Improve cash flow
46.84%
44.3%
41.77%
35.44%
31.65%
17.72%
17.72%
12.66%
8.86%
8.86%
7.6%
6.33%
5.06%
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QUESTION:
What financial strategies has your non-profit utilized in 2012?
In 2012, the top three financial strategies for non-profits included diversifying revenue sources (51%), increasing the budget over 2011 (49%), and reducing overhead expenses (44%).
Other strategies utilized by non-profits in 2012 include cultivating current donors, increasing funding of reserve accounts, and a strategic move to use reserves for operations.
Diversify revenue sources
Share resources with complimentary organization
Adopt new cost-saving measures
Increase budget over 2011
Leverage capital financing
Layoff staff or reduce salaries
Increase capital investments
Reduce overhead expenses
Other
Increase use of volunteers
Continue or reinstitute staff hiring
Merge with complimentary organization
Outsource
50.63%
49.37%
44.3%
34.18%
31.65%
26.58%
22.79%
16.46%
11.39%
5.06%
5.06%
3.8%
1 .27%
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Non-Profit Financial Reporting
QUESTION:
What reports are typically included in management & board reports?
Financial statements (statement of activities, statement of financial position, etc.) are included in management and board reports 95% of the time. Actual vs. budget or prior year comparisons are included 94% of the time. On the other hand, dashboard, key operational metrics, and key financial metrics are included in management and board reports less frequently. Dashboards are included 27% of the time, key operational metrics 39%, and key financial metrics 43%.
Respondents also indicated other reports including: treasurer’s report, cash flow summary, membership information, investment portfolio, 3 year projections, and the best estimates of revenues, expenses, and cash flow for the year.
Financial Statements (Statement of Activites, Statement of Financial Position, etc.)
Dashboard
Actual vs. Budget or Prior Year Comparisons
Other
Key Financial Metrics (key financial metrics not included in Financial statements)
Key Operational Metrics
94.94%
93.67%
43.04%
39.24%
26.58%
6.33%
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QUESTION:
How are the management and board reports distributed?
Management and board reports are typically distributed through email and hardcopy packets. 77% of respondents indicated they used email while 56% use hardcopy packets. Direct access to management/financial systems are only used 5% of the time.
Other distribution methods included intranet sites, WorkZone, web posting, electronically, SharePoint Team Sites, secure webportal, Webex then email, board effect, and power points presented on monthly calls.
Direct access to management/financial systems
Hardcopy packets
Other
Dashboard
77.22%
55.7%
12.66%
7.6%
5.06%
Monthly
Quarterly
Other
Upon request
55.7%
34.18%
7.6%
2.53%
QUESTION:
How frequently are the management and board reports distributed?
Management and board reports are most often distributed monthly (56%), with quarterly (34%) and upon request (3%) following behind.
Other frequencies indicated included 3 times/year, different schedules based on user needs, daily quarterly, and differences in frequencies depending on type (management or board).
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Non-Profit Financial SystemsQUESTION:
Which statement best describes your current approach to cloud computing?
Half of respondents use some cloud services and intend to use more in the future, while 29% do not use cloud services and do not plan to in the upcoming year, and 19% do not use cloud services but are exploring some options and plan to use it in the upcoming year. However, 2% do not know what cloud computing means.
We use some cloud services now and will use more in the future
We do not use cloud services, and do not plan to in the upcoming year
We do not use cloud services but are exploring some options and plan to use
We don’t know what cloud computing means
49.37%
29.11%
18.99%
2.53%
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QUESTION:
Within the next 12-18 months, are you considering upgrading or replacing the following business systems?
Currently, 62% of those surveyed are not considering upgrading or replacing any business systems. Of those planning to upgrade or replace their business systems, 18% are considering association or membership management, 16% accounting or financial management as well as document management, 10% business process management, and 9% grant management.
We have no plans to upgrade or replace any business systems
Association or Membership Management
Accounting or Financial Management
Business Process Management
Document Management
Grant Management
62.03%
17.72%
16.46%
15.19%
10.13%
8.86%
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Survey DemographicsQUESTION:
Which best describes your organization’s type?
63% of respondents indicated their organization is a 501(c)(3), 32% a 501(c)(6), and 5% a 501(c)(4).
501 (c)(3) 501 (c)(6) 501 (c)(4)
QUESTION:
Which best describes your organization’s annual revenue?
35% of those surveyed belong to organization’s that have annual revenues of $1-4.99 million, 22% have revenues of $5-9.99 million and also over $25 million. Only 6% have revenues less than $1 million.
$1-4.99 million $5-9.99 million Over $25 million
Less than $1 million
$10-24.99 million
63.29%
31.65%
5.06%
35.44%
21.52%
21.52%
15.19%
6.33%
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QUESTION:
Which best describes your organization’s number of FT employees?
25% belong to organizations with 21-50 employees, 24% 11-20 employees, 16% have over 100 employees, 14% 6-10 employees, 13% 51-100 employees, and 8% have 1-5 employees.
21-50 employees
11-20 employees
Over 100 employes 51-100 employees
6-10 employees 1-5 employees
25.32%
24.05%
16.46%
13.92%
12.66%
7.6%
QUESTION:
Which best describes your role within your organization?
The majority of respondents are non-profit CFOs/Financial VPs or non-profit Executive Directors, Presidents, or CEOs, with 42% and 39% respectively. 10% are considered non-profit COOs and 5% are non-profit Controllers.
Non-profit CFO or Financial VP
Non-profit Executive Director, President /CEO
Non-profit COO Other
Non-profit Controller
41.77%
39.24%
10.13%
5.06%
3.8%
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About BrittenfordBrittenford Systems is a technology services firm that implements and supports financial and CRM software systems including Microsoft Dynamics GP, Dynamics SL, Dynamics CRM, and the cloud-based Intacct financial management system. Brittenford Systems also offers CIO Advisory Services, Microsoft Dynamics training and staffing, cloud engineering services, and application development.For more information on Brittenford Systems, please visit www.brittenford.com, or call 703-860-6945.
About VerisVeris Consulting specializes in outsourced financial management and survey research for nonprofits and social enterprises. Our Outsourced Accounting and Financial Management Practice draws upon specialized expertise to improve bottom line results and enable nonprofits to grow revenue and control costs. We provide objective, hands-on consultation through interim CFO services, outsourced accounting, financial assessments, and executive search—helping nonprofits take control of their finances and advance their missions. Our Survey Research Practice delivers valuable insights through benchmarking, compensation and satisfaction surveys as well industry trends and business intelligence studies. For more information visit www.verisconsulting.com.