A call to CPAs: Step into nonprofit leadership
By Joe Wallis, CPA, MBA
April 24, 2026
Right now, nonprofits across our communities are under intense scrutiny. Headlines about fraud, mismanagement and failure dominate the narrative and every one of them erodes public trust. When trust disappears, funding dries up. And when funding dries up, it’s not “the system” that suffers, it’s real people in our communities.
The nonprofit sector often provides services and support in areas that are not fully addressed by government systems. Nonprofit organizations frequently operate where public programs end, where funding is limited or where administrative processes move slowly. They typically work with constrained resources, close oversight from funders and increasing expectations from the public, often simultaneously.
Funders, for their part, aim to be careful stewards of their resources. Concerns about potential misuse, reputational risk and public perception can lead to tighter restrictions, more detailed reporting requirements and reduced flexibility for the organizations they support. As an advisor and partner to nonprofit organizations, I’ve come to recognize the critical role that Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) can play in countering this trend.
Why nonprofit organizations need a CPA
CPAs bring a profound understanding of governance, internal controls and financial transparency — skills that are indispensable for nonprofit boards. Serving on a nonprofit board isn’t just a professional development opportunity. It’s one of the most impactful ways we can contribute to our communities. When CPAs sit at the board table, organizations are stronger, financial systems are better and risks are identified earlier.
CPAs have the opportunity to play a crucial role in preventing fraud before it occurs and in safeguarding donor trust. By using our expertise, we can advocate for the causes we care deeply about and ensure that these organizations remain accountable and focused on their missions for years to come.
A CPA board member should be:
- Asking hard questions: Not because you distrust management, but because good governance requires healthy skepticism and clarity.
- Ensuring strong financial oversight: Budgets, cash flow, reserves, internal controls and financial reporting should not be mysteries to the board.
- Understanding risk before it becomes a crisis: From liquidity risks to compliance issues to operational strain, CPAs are trained to see problems early.
- Helping leadership think long‑term: Sustainability, scalability and mission alignment matter just as much as this year’s results.
- Protecting the mission, not just the money: Financial decisions should always support impact, not undermine it.
For generations, the accounting profession has been built on the idea of public service and protecting public interest. Perhaps, there is no better way to fulfill this responsibility than by collaborating with nonprofit leaders who are committed to making a difference in the communities we live in.
A challenge to my fellow CPAs
So, I extend a challenge to my fellow professionals: If you’re a CPA and you’re not currently serving on a nonprofit board, consider seeking out this opportunity. Engage with organizations in your community, find a mission that resonates with you, and volunteer your expertise. There is no shortage of need and no shortage of organizations that would be better with your voice in the room. Your skills are in demand, your voice is crucial and your leadership can make a significant difference in ensuring that nonprofits remain strong, accountable and focused on the impact they’re trying to make.
This is an opportunity for our profession to step up. Nonprofits are doing the work that holds our communities together. CPAs can help ensure they do it with integrity, sustainability, and strength.
Let’s stop watching from the sidelines — and start leading where it matters most.
Joe Wallis, CPA, MBA, is a partner at Abdo, where he brings passion and enthusiasm to each nonprofit he works with, creating an infectious environment of optimism, joy and confidence.
