One of the most important New Money columns ever: A program’s true cost.
It takes a lot to get me to make a statement like the title above, but it is exactly how I feel. Over the decades I have written long articles and short articles on this subject, and taught it at least twenty or thirty times, however, the column in the July, 2012 Associations Now makes the case as clearly and convincingly as I have been able to do it.
If your organization has not yet come to grips with the great need and even greater benefit of getting down to the true cost of programs and products, I believe this column will help you and others in your organization to see why you should do so.
My hat is off to Vince Pistilli, CPA, a long-time colleague and CFO of the Society of Nuclear Medicine, for bringing his organization “out of the dark” and sharing the story with me. His handling of this classic situation was most impressive and I am pleased to now share it with you.
Read More >>> Go under Articles and Text, most recent articles and click on: A program’s true cost
New ASAE Course: Focus on Finance: Optimizing the Financial Leadership Team.
I am happy to report that the structure and content of this two-day symposium, which is intended to improve the financial knowledge of association treasurers or other financial leaders and enhance their working relationship with their CFOs and/or CEOs, has been firmed up.
In addition to the materials I will be presenting, including such things as essential financial concepts, understanding and analyzing association financial statements, building teamwork, and financial roles and responsibilities, I have been able to gather a superb team of individuals who will be presenting on such topics as managing risks, the importance of nonprofit tax filings, and investment management. Each of the speakers selected were my first choice in his or her particular field and is known to be both exceedingly knowledgeable and very entertaining.
This symposium will take place at the ASAE headquarters in Washington, DC, and is being offered on November 1 and 2, 2012 and June 27 and 29, 2013. In order to make the opportunity as valuable as possible, each association must have at least one leader and one staff person in attendance. Reservations may be made by e-mailing Mark Milroy at mmilroy@asaecenter.org. For more information paste this link in your browser >>> www.asaecenter.org/FocusOnFinance.
On a personal note:
I am very pleased to announce that in June I was elected to the position of Secretary of the Greater Washington Society of CPAs. In addition to being a member of the Society’s Executive Committee, I have also become the third member of the Society’s Ethics Committee, a position I take most seriously. My ongoing work as an independent financial advisor for associations (e.g., boards at odds with management; management trying to get to the bottom of things) should be enhanced considerably by this significant new position.
