What is the benefit of using Jitasa’s services rather than hiring financial professionals in-house?
When you partner with Jitasa, you get access to an entire financial management team for a lower cost than hiring one in-house employee. Our service teams are made up of accountants, bookkeepers, and financial advisors who work exclusively with nonprofits, meaning we’ll always address your needs accurately and promptly.
What makes Jitasa stand out from other nonprofit accounting and bookkeeping firms and services?
Rather than just solving one specific problem like many other services are designed to do, Jitasa checks all of the boxes when it comes to ensuring effective financial management across your entire organization, including:
- Specialization: We only work with nonprofits, and we serve charitable organizations of all sizes and missions.
- Scope: We offer bookkeeping, accounting, tax filing, advisory/fractional CFO, and controller services, so you can choose the type of assistance your organization needs.
- Personalization: We fully integrate our work with your organization’s existing operations and develop tailored solutions to meet your specific needs.
- Quality: While laying a strong financial foundation for your nonprofit to further its mission, we ensure IRS and GAAP compliance every step of the way.
- Pricing: All of our clients pay a flat monthly fee quoted to their needs, with no hidden fees or extra startup costs involved.
What if my nonprofit has an in-house bookkeeper and wants to keep it that way?
We understand that desire, and we’re happy to assist your in-house bookkeeper. We can enhance best practices at your organization, perform monthly reconciliations, and ensure you’re IRS compliant. Depending on your budget, we can also review and restructure your accounts, provide long-term planning and budgeting expertise, and create recurring reports.
If my nonprofit partners with Jitasa, do we still need a treasurer or board finance committee?
Yes. Having financial experts on your board of directors is essential for ensuring proper oversight and governance across your entire organization. However, Jitasa will work closely with these board members and even attend board meetings if you choose the top tier of our fractional CFO or controller services.
Will my organization be assigned a dedicated bookkeeper, accountant, or financial advisor to work with?
Yes! Because we strive to be an extension of your organization, you’ll primarily work and interact with one team member. However, there will typically be three to four additional team members assigned to your account to ensure you meet all deadlines and provide your team with additional support and perspectives as needed.
We offer a flat-rate, month-to-month payment model based on your needs. We’ll help you determine the best solution for your nonprofit, and your bill will remain the same each month unless you choose to add on more services (e.g., switching from an accounting-only to an accounting and bookkeeping plan).
Will my organization lose control of its financial management or data if it partners with Jitasa?
No. Our goal is to act like a member of your staff, which means we’ll hold regular meetings and provide updates to your team as we work. Additionally, you’ll retain primary administrative control of your accounting system, be able to review progress at any time, and have the power to authorize next steps.
What types of nonprofits does Jitasa work with?
We work with more than 1,500 nonprofits of various sizes and verticals, from startups to enterprise-level organizations and everything in between. We also regularly assist educational, membership, and faith-based organizations. See our clients page for examples and case studies.
Is my nonprofit too small or new to work with Jitasa?
No! If your organization is just getting started, now is the perfect time to form a relationship with Jitasa to manage your bookkeeping and accounting needs. We’ll help you establish well-organized books and records, which frees up your time and resources while highlighting your financial position and commitment to potential donors. Our services for small nonprofits start at $395 per month.
Can you still help my nonprofit if it’s a large, well-established organization with a complex accounting history?
Yes! Jitasa offers everything large nonprofits need, including grant management, internal control analysis, financial advisory services, and filing full Form 990s. We’ll keep your data updated, organized, and secure—no matter how complex it is.
Can Jitasa manage bookkeeping and accounting for every branch of a multi-chapter organization?
Yes! Jitasa has systems designed to handle the unique needs of nonprofits with multiple chapters or locations. Whether you manage all accounting processes under one roof or treat every chapter as its own organization, we can help you set up your financial practices for success.
Will Jitasa file my nonprofit’s tax returns?
Yes—in fact, Jitasa accountants have completed more than 5,000 federal and state tax filings for nonprofits! When you invest in our tax services, we’ll file the version of IRS Form 990 your organization qualifies for (full Form 990, 990-N, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) and complete any additional forms your state may require. Plus, issuing 1099s to your nonprofit’s contractors is included in all of our core accounting service packages.
What financial auditing services does Jitasa provide?
Financial audit preparation is available with our accounting services for mid-sized to large nonprofits. We’ll provide direct support before, during, and after your audit, from cleaning up your records and compiling required documentation for your auditor to incorporating their recommendations into your financial practices. However, to prevent client conflicts of interest, Jitasa does not conduct independent financial audits.
If my nonprofit is behind on its bookkeeping or has messy records going back multiple years, can Jitasa help with cleanup?
Yes, but depending on the amount of cleanup required, your onboarding process might take longer than usual and may incur an additional charge.
What nonprofit payroll services does Jitasa offer?
Jitasa can handle all of your nonprofit’s payroll coordination. We’ll work directly with your organization and partner with third-party providers (ADP, Gusto, Paychex, etc.) to ensure payroll runs smoothly. Direct deposits and W-2 creation go through these providers, and we collect time sheets, deal with staffing changes, and record all payroll-related bookkeeping data. Our clients are eligible for discounted rates with some third-party payroll providers, and we are happy to help facilitate that process.
What accounting platforms does Jitasa work with?
We strongly recommend that all of our clients use cloud-based accounting solutions for security and ease of use. Most clients find that QuickBooks Online is the best solution for their accounting processes, which is why we include its cost in our service plan pricing. We’ll help you migrate your existing financial data into QuickBooks Online if you’re switching systems, and we can also work with other systems like Intuit Enterprise Suite and Sage Intacct to meet clients’ needs.
How long does Jitasa’s client onboarding process usually take?
Onboarding can take anywhere from six to 12 weeks. The time frame primarily depends on how quickly your team can provide required documentation, how much historical cleanup work is necessary, and whether you already use a cloud-based accounting platform or need us to set it up from scratch.
Is there an additional charge for answering ad hoc accounting questions?
No! Thanks to our flat-rate pricing, we’re available whenever and however you need us. Basic advisory services are included with all of our accounting plans, and we have an extensive resource library on our website that clients and non-clients can reference at any time.
If my organization loses its 501(c)(3) status, how do we get it back?
For the full procedure on how to restore your organization’s 501(c)(3) status, visit the IRS website.
How does my nonprofit share documents with its Jitasa representatives?
Our primary method of exchanging documents is with ShareFile, a leading document management system. Additionally, bank and credit card statements can be accessed directly in the cloud, which is partially why we recommend cloud-based accounting solutions.
What does the name “Jitasa” mean?
Jitasa means “the spirit of serving others,” which is what motivates our team to provide the best possible financial services to organizations that make the world a better place.
Where is Jitasa located?
Jitasa is headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with additional branches around the United States and the world (Costa Rica, Philippines, Thailand, and Bosnia and Herzegovina). Many of our over 600 employees work remotely either some or all of the time, meaning we can hire the most talented accountants regardless of location and answer questions for clients around the clock.
What do I do if I have a question that isn’t listed on this page?
If we’ve failed to address your question above, please contact Jitasa—we’re happy to assist you! You can also check out the descriptions of our services or any of our free resources (including our blog, downloadable templates, online courses, assessments, financial ratio calculators, and glossary of nonprofit accounting terms) to find additional answers.