SPOTLIGHT: Inside 2025’s Boldest Shifts in the Nonprofit Sector

Unlocking Potential – A Closer Look at Private Operating Foundations

3 mins read
PKF O’CONNOR DAVIES: A private operating foundation is a sub-classification of a private foundation. Unlike a private non-operating foundation, a private operating foundation utilizes its resources to actively conduct its own mission-related exempt activities. Common examples of private operating foundations include museums, performing art centers, artist-endowed foundations, zoos, medical research facilities, libraries and environmental or archeological sites. But how and why, exactly, would a foundation pursue operating foundation classification? Let's dive into the requirements for classification and other key considerations.…

Enhancing Nonprofit Operations: Utilizing External Expertise to Boost Efficiency & Reduce Risk

2 mins read
ANCHIN ACCOUNTANTS & ADVISORS: As nonprofit organizations navigate the evolving challenges of 2025, strategic approaches are essential for optimizing operations and reducing risk. Balancing mission-focused objectives with limited resources, regulatory demands, and operational complexities requires thoughtful planning and the smart use of external support. By leveraging solutions such as operational reviews, outsourced accounting, and advanced technology like artificial intelligence, nonprofits can improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and better align resources with their mission. These strategies empower organizations to strengthen internal processes, reduce exposure to risk, and amplify their impact on the communities they serve.…

The Risk You Can’t Afford to Ignore – The Consequences of Operating Without an Internal Audit Function

4 mins read
In today’s complex regulatory and financial landscape, the Internal Audit (IA) function is not a luxury but a necessity. Internal auditing's primary objective is to provide independent and objective assurance that an organization’s risk management, governance, and internal control processes are operating effectively. Most organizations think they have this covered…

Budgeting for Nonprofits: Planning for Impact, Allocating with Purpose

4 mins read
Budgeting is more than numbers on a spreadsheet—it’s a strategic process that empowers nonprofits to turn vision into reality. A well-crafted budget is not just about balancing income and expenses; it’s about aligning financial resources with your mission, maintaining transparency, and enabling your organization to deliver meaningful impact to the…

Nonprofits Must Strengthen Resilience to Navigate Federal Funding Uncertainty

The nonprofit sector stands at a critical crossroads. Federal funding, which has served as a bedrock for many organizations across diverse mission areas, faces an uncertain future. Recent Congressional budget negotiations, changing administration priorities and shifting political landscapes have created what many nonprofit financial leaders are describing as a "flux"…

CFO & Leadership Catalyst

Shedding the Shadow Skin: An Open Dialogue on Executive Growth and the Modern CFO

5 mins read
We all carry a shadow skin. Not physically, of course, but mentally and emotionally. It is the version of ourselves built over time by pressure, disappointment, fear, and misinterpreted success. For CFOs and executive leaders, this shadow skin functions both as armor and as a burden. What fascinates me is that it begins as a survival tool. It helps us make it through. It keeps us safe. At some point, though, it becomes something else entirely. It starts serving as a barrier to becoming who we were meant to be as leaders.…

The Long Game: Rory McIlroy, the Masters, and What Endurance Reveals About Leadership

5 mins read
In a world where patience often feels like a liability, Rory McIlroy offers a masterclass in what long-term commitment can actually achieve. The story is not about a single putt, a single round, or a single moment. It is about the full span of time, the years in the making, and the pressure that compounds when greatness is expected but…

The Glass Cannon: Leading When Strength Is Fragile

5 mins read
Recently, I posted about the concept of a “glass cannon.” It’s a term borrowed from gaming, used to describe a character that delivers massive damage but has almost no defense. It’s powerful, yes, but fragile. High output. Low durability. Deadly, but vulnerable. I didn’t expect it to resonate the way it did. But it turns out the glass cannon isn’t…

Technology & AI

How AI is Rewriting the CFO Playbook

11 mins read
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has come a long way from back-office automation. Far surpassing number crunching, it actively shapes strategy, influences boardrooms, and helps financial executives lead with insight, speed, and foresight. After sharing AI’s top finance use cases (and why enterprises fail) -Where do we go from here? That question is exactly what this article is about. Whether you're a CFO, VP of Finance, or strategic advisor, this is the moment to look beyond incremental improvement and automation. Think in terms of innovation through AI…

The AI Enabled Finance Organization of 2028

14 mins read
If Part I – How AI is rewriting the CFO Playbook opened your eyes to what’s working now, then Part II is about widening your field of vision. Because what we’re seeing in today’s AI finance use cases is just the beginning. The real change is ahead, and it’s coming fast. Most finance leaders still think in terms of automation, how AI can help them go faster, cleaner, or cheaper. And that’s fine… for now.…

From Possibility to Playbook – Turning AI Vision Into Execution

14 mins read
The future sounds impressive, but how do we get there? In Part II – The AI Enabled Finance Organization of 2028 we looked into the future on how AI will reshape financial strategy, reporting, ESG, risk, and workforce planning by 2028. We explored the possibilities. The promises. The edge that early adopters are already starting to realize. However, a bold vision means nothing without the ability to execute. This final part of the series is…

Financial Strategies & Management

Unlocking Hidden Cash: Calvetti Ferguson’s Experts Reveal Sales and Use Tax Refund Opportunities

1 min read
CFOs, controllers, and treasurers are sitting on a goldmine – untapped sales and use tax refunds. Calvetti Ferguson, a regional accounting and consulting firm with clients nationwide, is helping businesses unlock this hidden cash through expert-led refund reviews. Brian Valencia and Orges Lleshaj recently shared their invaluable insights with financial executives, shedding light on how to identify overpayments, explore potential exemptions, and maximize refund opportunities. Bryan, a seasoned tax expert who leads the tax incentives team, and Orges, head of Calvetti Ferguson’s sales and use tax practice, bring a combined wealth of knowledge to the table. Calvetti Ferguson Team’s Proven Track Record With a strong focus on tax compliance and advisory…

Taking A Closer Look at Fractional CFO Services in LATAM

2 mins read
The Fractional CFO, a relatively new concept in the world of finance, has been gaining popularity among businesses of all sizes. Mark Blackton takes a closer look at this emerging trend in his presentation on the Fractional CFO model for…

Strengthening CMO-CFO Collaboration

3 mins read
In an important session of The Financial Executives Networking Group (FENG), two notable thought leaders, Mark Sue and Reed Berglund, unraveled transformative insights on fostering synergy between CFOs and CMOs. Given their significant expertise and background in finance and marketing,…

Acing the Financial Game in Manufacturing

At a recent gathering of the Manufacturing Special Interest Group (SIG) of The Financial Executives Networking Group (The FENG), financial virtuosos Mark Sue and Scott Meyers dispensed some valuable wisdom on the nitty-gritty of manufacturing, labor efficiency, and the dynamics…

Navigating Philanthropy: Strategic Insights for Finance Executives

Financial advisor Juan Ros recently addressed The Financial Executives Networking Group, sharing his wisdom on aligning charitable giving within business exit strategies. Ros, well-versed in financial management and philanthropy, shed light on the symbiosis of financial objectives and charitable inclinations.…

The Case for Project Finance

Why choose project finance, over another type of financing – identifying the common elements of project finance is a worthwhile exercise to determine if project finance is really the best type of financing for your deal. If you cannot envision all of…

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Internship Opportunities at The FENG

1 min read
Internships are available, on a part-time basis, for college accreditation, at The Financial Executives Networking Group (The FENG). We are seeking creative and motivated marketing, graphics, communications and finance students to join our dynamic team. You will have the opportunity to apply and gain valuable experience in social media and…

Letter From The Editor–April 2025

2 mins read
The Financial Executives Networking Group is pleased with the continued success of the Financial Executives Journal, an online publication dedicated to industry thought leadership, career growth, and professional development. Featured Spotlight The current edition spotlights “Inside 2025’s Boldest Shifts in the Nonprofit Sector”, which explores the evolving landscape that mission-driven organizations…

Celebrating Women’s History Month at The FENG

1 min read
The Powerful Connection Between Paying It Forward and Women’s History Month The FENG is proud to recognize accomplished women and mentors that give generously of their time to pay it forward. They go beyond their professional achievements uplifting others, sharing knowledge, and empowering those around them. Their commitment to lifting…

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