Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most from nonprofit leaders.
What does Clear Mission Books do?
We provide tailored bookkeeping for nonprofits and churches. That includes monthly bookkeeping, payroll, bill pay, grant tracking, board-ready reports, and year-end support for your CPA. We handle as much or as little as you need.
What kinds of organizations do you work with?
We work with nonprofits of every kind and size, from growing community groups to large, established organizations. That includes churches and ministries, disaster relief and victim services, community health, animal welfare, and more.
Are you CPAs?
No. We're professional bookkeepers. We don't provide tax, legal, audit, or attest services, but we work hand in hand with your CPA when it's time for your audit or Form 990.
Can you help with grant billing and reporting?
Yes. We track grant spending, prepare reimbursement requests and drawdowns, and pull together the financial reports your funders ask for.
Can you handle organizations with multiple locations or programs?
Yes. We can set up your books to track each location, program, or department separately, so you can see how each one is doing and still get a clear picture of the whole organization.
Do you handle payroll?
Yes. We can run payroll, keep payroll records straight, and work with your payroll provider.
Can you pay our bills?
Yes. We manage bill pay with an approval process you control, so nothing goes out without the right sign-off.
Do you track donations and contributions?
Yes. We record donations and keep your contribution records organized.
Can you prepare giving statements for our church members?
Yes. We can prepare year-end giving statements for your members and donors.
Do you prepare 1099s?
Yes. We track payments to contractors through the year and prepare 1099s at year-end.
Can you help with budgets?
Yes. We can help you build a budget and give you budget-versus-actual reports so you can see where you stand during the year.
Can you prepare reports for our board?
Yes. We provide clear, board-ready reports so your board always knows where things stand.
Can you get our books ready for an audit or Form 990?
Yes. We get your books clean and organized and work hand in hand with your CPA, who handles the audit and the 990.
Our books are behind. Can you catch them up?
Yes. We'll get your books current and organized, then keep them that way.
What software do you use? Can you help us switch?
We work in QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, and many other software tools built for nonprofits, and we can help you set up or move your books.
Can you work alongside our staff or treasurer?
Yes. Some organizations hand us everything, and others want help with just a few pieces. We'll fit in around your team.
Do we have to be local?
No. We work online, so we can serve your organization wherever you are, and you'll still have a team that picks up the phone.
How is our financial information kept secure?
We follow a permission-based process and use secure document sharing, so only you and the people you authorize have access to your financial information.
How much do your services cost?
Every organization is different, so we tailor our services to what you actually need. Once we've learned about your organization, we'll walk you through what working together would look like.
What's included in the free books review?
We take a careful look at how your books stand. When it's done, you'll receive a written report with what we found and what we'd recommend. It's yours to keep whether we work together or not. There's no obligation.
How do we get started?
Fill out the form on our Let's Talk page. Someone from our team will reach out to set up a call and your free books review.