Having a strong accounting sector is imperative for nonprofits, as fees resulting from bills or incorrectly prepared tax documents could be devastating. In order to combat these potential issues, nonprofits can bring on an accountant as a full-time staff member. When hiring these finance pros, there are a number of characteristics and traits to look for. Below are a few points to keep in mind when interviewing accountants to bring on board.

Can they work as part of a team?

Nonprofit organizations are often tight-knit groups that depend upon each other to keep the business running. This is why all staff members need to have a zest for the success of the organization, and this is no different for the accountant. Nonprofit planning is often most successful when there are a few hands involved, so business leaders will want to look for accountants who can contribute realistic and intelligent strategies, and who are open to others' suggestions. Hiring a trained accountant who has the skill set to work with others can make the financial forecasting process significantly easier, saving business leaders time and energy.

Are they innovative thinkers?

Accountants are trusted as the member of the staff who is focused on keeping finances in order. Keeping this in mind, good accountants are constantly looking for ways to help the nonprofit save money in their operations. Having more working capital is vital for nonprofits, because it enables them to increase marketing efforts and investment opportunities. Nonprofits should also be members of the staff that will work with the management team to build and save wealth.

Do they know how nonprofits work?

Nonprofits are different from businesses and other organizations in that they use surplus revenues to achieve their goals instead of distributing them as profit or dividends. Knowing the ins and outs of how nonprofits work is imperative for all staff members. Unless the accountant is familiar with nonprofit processes and how the organization plans to meet its objectives, he or she may not have the insight to properly construct and contribute to a strategic plan. In addition, it will be difficult for the person to develop a sound and forward-thinking budget if he or she is uncertain about the direction and overall mission of the organization.

What is their risk tolerance?

All nonprofit managers have a certain risk tolerance, and if they are smart, they will want to hire an accountant that doesn't see risk in exactly the same way. Accountants who can find a happy medium between risky and conservative can be a benefit for nonprofit managers who tend to lean too far to one side of the line. Before hiring an accountant, quiz him or her on potential situations to gauge whether the person's risk tolerance is right for the nonprofit

var addthis_config = {services_compact: ‘facebook,twitter,linkedin’}