After fourteen episodes of inviting guests to talk about their experience in the Not for Profit sector, I decided to do something different. The Not for Profit sector is not for everyone, you need to have passion, compassion, and commitment. It’s hard to be in the NFP sector if you weren’t made for it.

So for today’s episode, I‘m handing the reins over to someone I trust enough to interview me about myself and what I do in the Not For Profit space. Charley Valher, Chief Podcast Officer at Valher Media will be asking me some questions which will help you understand more about me and what I do.

This is going to be an interesting episode so be sure to tune in and stay with us until the end!

Matt’s NFP Story

How Matt Ended Up In The Not For Profit Sector

• 18 years ago, Matt was in a place where he had no idea where to settle in life, with no real desire to go anywhere or do anything.
• Matt started working for his father in law in their auditing business and loved what he was doing.
• Most of their clients were from the NFP sector, and that’s what got him in.
• Matt continued working in the NFP sector because of his love for the industry and the people.
• Matt believes that God has put a mandate in his heart to help people, churches, and the NFP sector.
  
  

Dealing with Misinformation in the NFP Sector

• A lot of people don’t know where to find information.
• Matt says it’s his job to help newcomers in the NFP sector navigate their way around.
• The website for NFPs is a minefield and Matt helps people find information quicker and easier, making the process simpler all-in-all.
  
  

The Ever-Evolving Not For Profit

• NFPs have become more complicated over time since Matt’s involvement.
• Confusion arose together with the involvement of a few different departments. People were having trouble with who they were supposed to report to or not.
• Finances are a bit of a problem for most NFPs.
• Legal terms and jargons add to the confusion and that’s where Matt’s expertise comes in.
  
  

NFPs in 2020

• The biggest change in 2020 for NFPs is the fundraising side of things.
• It’s going to be both a good and bad year for all NFPs.
• Bad—because most NFPs will be required to do regulated reporting particularly to the ACNC.
• Good—because it’s a good time to build and take up a relationship with an accountant or auditor, making this an opportunity to grow.
• Matt believes that working with people who are professionals when it comes to their calling, it’s going to make your job easier.
  
  

Why Matt Chose Podcasting About NFP

• Matt says he wants to cover all things NFP but at the same time, he also wants to ensure the growth of startups and smaller NFPs.
• Matt wants to get all the information about NFP across.
• For one-man bands that wish to grow from $100,000 to a million dollars, Matt wants to address their need for information on such an important topic.
• Matt chose podcasting as an avenue to get information out to as many people as he quickly can.
  
  

Future Topics for The Not For Profit Podcast

• The difference between Xero and MYOB
• Matt wants to talk about the numbers, believing that this information will allow NFPs to make informed decisions.
• How to set up fringe benefits for pastors in the different packages using Xero, MYOB, Quickbooks, etc.
• Matt wants to talk about the accounting stuff because that’s his passion and strength,
• How to do stuff with ACNC
• Where do you go to get help in starting/raising funds for your NFP?
• Are there different rules for NFPs in different states?
• Matt wants NFPs to think big—setting up how big they want to be and how they can achieve those goals.
  
  

Common Things that Catch People Out in the Financial Side of the NFP Space

• Three biggest things that Matt finds common with his clients in the previous 18 years:
• #1: They don’t put enough effort into accounting.
• #2: Reporting and compliance—there are fines in place if you don’t do these.
• #3: Relationships—building relationships is important in the NFP sector.
• Tips that will help in solving the abovementioned problems:
• Tip #1: Enroll in programs that will help with your accounting.
• Tip #2: Comply with the standards set by ACNC to avoid fines.
• Tip #3: Get on NFP groups, community groups, and/or Facebook pages that talk about NFP so you don’t feel alone.
• Compliance helps business owners in a sense where the government is able to remove dodgy operators.
• The second component is business owners are compelled to level up and take things more seriously.
  
  

Common Traits of Successful NFPs

• Every NFP is different, but one thing common is their well-systematized business.
• Most people don’t realize that they have to run their NFP as a business.
• You need to have a good system in place, you cannot make a good decision based on bad information.
• Successful NFPs focus on their core beliefs and they don’t waver from them.
• “You do good things, good things happen.”—It’s a universal law that is common and that works, not just for NFPs but even in business.
  
  

If you want to know more about Matt Williams and what he does in the NFP sector, you may visit his website: Platinum Audits. If you have any ideas about any topics you would like to hear us talk about, or want to see and hear any guests come on the show, don’t hesitate to send me an email at matt@thenotforprofitpodcast.com or reach out to us at Facebook and LinkedIn.

For more information on Charley Valher, you may visit his website: Valher Media.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to leave your comments below. Until the next episode!