Streetsmart Financial Basics for Nonprofit Managers (Nonprofit Law, Finance, and Management) [Hardcover]

Thomas A. McLaughlin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471042269 | ISBN-13: 978-0471042266 | Publication Date: June 1995

A solid understanding of basic accounting and finance is essential to an organization's success, yet many nonprofit managers do not have training in these areas. This practical guide to nonprofit financial management introduces and explains complex accounting and finance topics in an informal style. It includes a 3.5" IBM-compatible disk containing spreadsheet templates for financial reports, word-processing checklists and sample documents.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Explains, in plain English, how to use financial information to effectively run nonprofit organizations. Concentrates on how to read, interpret and use financial data from bookkeepers and accountants to make management decisions that ensure the ongoing financial future of your organization. The book is organized into four distinct parts--analysis, accounting, operations and control--and features more than 50 easy-to-read charts, tables, checklists and instructive sidebars. Includes a diskette with handy financial templates to copy, modify and use.

From the Back Cover

Essential, accessible guidelines for interpreting and using financial information

"A wonderful resource for nonprofit managers and board members alike. It hits the mark by simplifying accounting concepts and providing practical advice that can help nonprofits achieve a higher degree of accountability."
–Paula Van Ness, President and CEO, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America

"After thirty-three years of managing in the nonprofit sector, I find I could have used the information in Streetsmart when I first began my career. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the effective management of nonprofit organizations."
–George W. Kessinger, President and CEO, Goodwill Industries International, Inc.

"The first edition of McLaughlin’s book was a masterpiece–clearly written, concise, and insightful. These traits also characterize the Second Edition. This is an excellent text for students and also a reference that every nonprofit professional should have on their bookshelf."
–Norman A. Dolch, PhD, Director of the Nonprofit Programs and Professor of Sociology
Louisiana State University in Shreveport

"Tom McLaughlin contributes a valuable tool to those working for the betterment of society in the nonprofit fields: an important, highly readable, intelligent review of those issues which determine success and failure. All too often, well-meaning nonprofit managers find their organizations in constant crisis due to their mission-focus and mission-drive to the detriment of sound financial management. Streetsmart Financial Basics is a fast way of balancing management skills short of returning for an MBA."
–Jeffrey R. Solomon, PhD, President, The Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies

The Second Edition of this popular resource explains in plain English how to read, interpret, and implement financial data from bookkeepers and accountants to make management decisions that ensure an organization’s long-term financial viability. Organized into four distinct parts–Analysis, Accounting, Operations, and Control–this book offers a host of hands-on resources for managers, including:

• A CD-ROM containing spreadsheet templates for financial reports, word-processing checklists, sample documents, and real-world examples of management in action
• Dozens of easy-to-read charts, tables, checklists, and instructive sidebars
• Inserted text boxes highlighting supplemental information
• Special comments in the narrative linking the material to personal financial management matters

--This text refers to the Unbound edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471042269
• ISBN-13: 978-0471042266
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,631,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have nearly 30 years of nonprofit experience as a nonprofit manager, trade association executive, and management consultant.
Among my previous positions, I served as an executive with two major Massachusetts social service agencies and as Associate Director of the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers. I am currently on the management faculty at Brandeis University where I teach mission-based management MBA students.

I am a contributing editor for the Nonprofit Times, for which I write a monthly column. I was the first Nonprofit Scholar in Residence at the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. I also serve on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, and I have served on the board of directors of the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Greater Boston and Family Service, Inc.

At Grant Thornton LLP, I work with all types of nonprofit clients in strategy development as well as nonprofit mergers and alliances. I am also nationally recognized as an expert in nonprofit financial management and organizational restructuring.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent intro to accounting/finance for the novice., August 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Streetsmart Financial Basics for Nonprofit Managers (Paperback)

As a new manager of a small/medium-sized nonprofit organization (20 staff), I needed to get up to speed quickly on accounting and finance principles, but didn't have time to take a course. This book was a great help. It's written in a conversation style, not in dry "accountant-speak," and gives the reader a good overview, with examples of all major accounting and finance concepts you are likely to run across. It even had a floppy disk with a variety of simple spreadsheets for you to learn from as you walked through each chapter. My only complaint was the spreadsheets on the disk are in an early form of Lotus 1-2-3, so those of us with Microsoft Excel have a hard time printing out these older documents cleanly (some of the formatting doesn't translate well).

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, December 26, 2008

By 

Frequent Shopper "AMY" (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Streetsmart Financial Basics for Nonprofit Managers (Paperback)

The book is short, sweet and to the point. Sums things up in a basic manner and gives you the information from more of a point of experience rather than the same old textbook standard jargon.