Clean Audits: Building Credibility Through Independent Financial Review The Purpose and Value of Independent Audits An independent financial audit serves a distinct and important purpose: to provide an objective, professional examination of an organization’s financial records. For many organizations, audits are not optional—they are required by federal regulations, state law, or grant agreements. But even when not required, a clean audit builds credibility with lenders, donors, board members, and the public. The value of an audit extends beyond compliance. Auditors examine not just the numbers but the systems that produce them. They assess internal controls, test for proper authorization of transactions, and verify that financial statements accurately reflect the organization’s financial position. The result is an independent opinion that provides reasonable assurance—a high, but not absolute, level of confidence—that the financial statements are free from material misstatement . Audits, Reviews, and Compilations: Understanding the Differences Not all financial statement services provide the same level of assurance. Organizations should understand the differences to select the appropriate service for their needs. Compilations are the lowest level of service. An accountant organizes financial data into statement format but performs no verification or analysis. No assurance is provided that the statements are accurate or conform to GAAP. Compilations are often used for internal management or small loan applications. Reviews provide limited assurance. An accountant performs analytical procedures (reviewing trends and ratios) and makes inquiries of management. The conclusion states that nothing came to the accountant’s attention suggesting the statements are materially misstated. Reviews are less expensive than audits and may be acceptable for some grantors or smaller lenders. Audits provide reasonable assurance. An independent CPA performs detailed testing, confirms information with third parties (banks, customers, vendors), and assesses internal controls. The CPA issues an opinion stating whether the financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects, in conformity with GAAP. Audits are required for federal grants over certain thresholds, publicly traded bonds, and many government contracts. Required Audits for Virginia Local Governments Under Virginia law (Code of Virginia § 15.2-2511), counties, cities, and towns with populations of 3,500 or more must have their accounts audited annually by an independent CPA as of June 30. The audit contract must be in place by April 1 of each fiscal year, and the final report must be presented to the local governing body and submitted to the Auditor of Public Accounts by December 31. This requirement ensures that Virginia localities maintain financial transparency and accountability. The independent audit provides citizens, bondholders, and state oversight entities with confidence that local tax dollars are being properly managed. Single Audits for Federal Grant Recipients Nonprofits and government entities that expend $1 million or more in federal awards during a fiscal year are required to undergo a Single Audit (also called a Uniform Guidance audit) . This requirement, established under 2 CFR Part 200, examines internal controls over federal programs and tests compliance with specific grant requirements. The Single Audit was established to ensure that federal funds are used properly and that recipients maintain adequate internal controls over federal awards. The audit report includes a schedule of findings and questioned costs, which identifies any instances of noncompliance or internal control deficiencies. Entities with repeated or significant findings may face additional oversight, repayment demands, or suspension from future federal funding. The 2026 Form 990 Transparency Initiative On April 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that the IRS plans to revise Form 990, the annual information return filed by most tax-exempt organizations . The stated goal is to improve transparency and provide clearer reporting on government contracts, government grants, and fiscal sponsorship arrangements . Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated: “Public money and tax-exempt status demand public accountability. We are ending the days of hiding fraud, abuse, and extremist activity behind complicated nonprofit arrangements” . While specific changes have not yet been proposed, experts anticipate increased reporting requirements in several areas : Government contracts and grants. Nonprofits that receive government funding may need to disclose additional information about how those funds are used, including amounts received, program outcomes, and subgrantee arrangements. Fiscal sponsorship arrangements. Fiscal sponsorship allows a tax-exempt organization (the sponsor) to support another organization that does not itself hold tax-exempt status (the project). The Treasury expressed concern that some fiscal sponsorship arrangements may be used to obscure who is operating a project, who controls project funds, and how those funds are being used . Proposed changes likely will require disclosure of how funds are used within these arrangements and who ultimately controls the project . Foreign donors. Contributions from foreign individuals or entities are not unlawful, but there are concerns about foreign donors using contributions to exert political influence in the US . A revised Form 990 may include disclosure requirements around foreign donors, including the identity of the donors and amounts donated. No changes are immediate. The IRS is required to publish proposed regulations and provide an opportunity for public comment before any reporting changes are finalized . The Treasury has stated that it will consider administrative feasibility, proportionality, and reporting burden as the proposal is developed . Preparing for Enhanced Scrutiny Organizations that maintain clean, audit-ready financial records year-round will be best positioned to meet new reporting requirements. Practical preparation steps include: Review current Form 990 compliance. Examine whether current procedures ensure ongoing compliance, not just year-end filing. Document fiscal sponsorship arrangements. If your organization is a fiscal sponsor, ensure you are maintaining accurate, complete, and separate records for each sponsored project. Confirm that written agreements clearly explain the nature of the relationship . Stay informed. As the IRS revises Form 990, there will be opportunities to participate in the public comment process. How Professional Audit Support Strengthens Organizations Engaging a CPA firm with audit expertise provides several benefits beyond the audit opinion itself: Pre-audit preparation. Auditors can advise on how to organize records, document internal controls, and prepare supporting schedules before the formal audit begins. Management letter recommendations. After each audit, independent auditors provide a management letter identifying opportunities for improvement in internal controls and operational efficiency. Regulatory expertise.

Virginia’s Fixed-Date Conformity On February 20, 2026, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed HB 29, which fundamentally changed how Virginia conforms to the Internal Revenue Code . Virginia has moved from rolling conformity (where federal tax changes automatically applied to state returns) to fixed-date conformity, conforming to the IRC as it existed on December 31, 2025 . This means federal tax changes enacted after that date do not automatically apply to Virginia returns. Organizations with strong financial foundations are better positioned to track the differences between federal and state tax treatment. Those with clean, well-documented books can more easily make the necessary adjustments for Virginia filing. Increased Nonprofit Transparency Requirements The Treasury Department announced on April 23, 2026, that the IRS plans to revise Form 990 to require clearer reporting on government contracts, grants, and fiscal sponsorship arrangements . The stated goal is to “detect misconduct and hold wrongdoers accountable” by making it harder for funds to move through tax-exempt structures without clear documentation . Organizations with strong financial foundations will be best prepared to meet these new reporting requirements. Those with weak records face compliance risks and potential penalties. Investor and Donor Expectations The fundamentals of financial discipline have not changed, but the speed of expectation has accelerated dramatically . Investors and donors now expect precision, integration, and systems that can support growth. The basics that mattered five years ago still matter today: accurate financial statements, timely filings, documented agreements, and defensible metrics. What is different is how quickly organizations need to produce them and how early they become non-negotiable. Practical Steps for Strengthening Your Financial Foundation Organizations seeking to improve their financial health can begin with these concrete actions: Conduct a financial systems assessment. Review current bookkeeping processes, identify gaps, and document areas for improvement. Establish a monthly close calendar. Set clear deadlines for submitting expenses, recording revenue, and completing reconciliations. Communicate these deadlines to all relevant staff. Implement segregation of duties. At minimum, ensure that the person who authorizes payments is not the same person who reconciles bank statements. Centralize documentation. Store all contracts, board minutes, and financial records in a single, secure, searchable repository. Engage professional support. Consider outsourcing bookkeeping to a qualified provider who can bring expertise, consistency, and scalability. Conclusion A strong financial foundation is not built overnight. It requires consistent discipline, appropriate systems, and a commitment to accuracy. But the investment pays dividends: organizations with clean books make better decisions, respond more quickly to opportunities, and weather challenges with greater resilience. Whether you lead a small business, a growing nonprofit, or a local government entity, the quality of your financial records directly impacts your ability to achieve your mission. Professional bookkeeping and accounting support are not expenses—they are investments in organizational health and long-term success.