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Accounting of Grants for NGOs

Do you know how Grant is presented in your NGOs Financial Statements? As REVENUE or as LIABILITY ? This is one of the crucial question regarding accounting of Grants for NGOs. Generally, we depend on the Chartered Accountants on how our Financial Statements are prepared and presented. Sometimes presentation of Financial Statements become misleading and serve no purpose.

Today we learn how to do accounting of grants for NGOs which is more appropriate in present days.

Introduction – Accounting of Grants for NGOs

There is no clarity Inida regarding how grants should be presented. We have Indian Accounting Standard 20 which mainly dealt with  accounting of Government Grants and not grants for specific projects from Funding Agencies. However, considering Indian Accounting Standards #20 and US Statement of Financial Accounting Standard #117, we can derive following three methods of presenting Grants in the Financial Statements.

Option A – Grants treated as Revenue

Here, we consider Grants Received as Revenue of the current year whether it is related to current year or for next years. Thus, when two years project is sanctioned and total grant received in the first year only, we treat full grant as income of first year. See below image to understand presentation in Financial Statements.

 

In this method, you can see above that unspent grant of Rs 40 clubbed in Income and Expenditure Account as “Excess of Income over Expenses” . Due to this, it becomes difficult to know what funds lying in the I/E Account. Check out the Balance Sheet where I/E Account show Rs. 50 which comprise of Unspent Grants and Other Income.

Option B – Grant treated as Liability

Here, it assumes that, grants and funds received for specific project, is the liability of organization and not Income. Thus whatever grant received, whether for current year or next years taken to Balance Sheet and considered as Liability. Expense from such grant then deducted from the liability and net amount shown in the Balance Sheet. Checkout below how Financial Statements look if we treat Grant as Liability.

In this method, Balance Sheet present correct financial position. However, Income and Expenditure does not show much revenue except income earned by NGOs like Non Specific Donations and Interest Income.

Option C – Best of the above Two

Due to limitations of both the above method, we should presented financial statements as per this hybrid method using best of both the above methods. In this method, we consider that much revenue for current year which actually spent during the year and remaining balance transfer to next year as “Unspent or Unutilized Grant”. Lets have a look, how the financial Statements presented under this method.

In this method, Income Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet showing correct information and in self explanatory manner.

Conclusion

In India, there is no such proforma available in any Act regarding presentation of Financial Statements of NGOs. Thus as per my opinion it is advisable to follow accounting of grants for ngos as per option C – Hybrid method, which is self explanatory and showing correct information.

Note – In all the above three methods, presentation of Receipts and Payment Accounts would not change.

For any questions or query hit the below comment section.

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Cashbook of NGO

After, note ban, cash book is getting more importance. Some of the entities also getting notice from Income Tax Department to submit cash book. So, let us today discussed, some of the points related to cash book.

1. Manual V/s Computerized Cash Book of NGO

Now a days, all the books of accounts are maintained on computer who are monitored using cheap 4k monitors for more quality, so it is difficult to find manual cash book of ngo. However, for better management and internal control purpose, it is required to have a Manual Cash Book along with the computerized cash book of NGO. There are many benefits to have manual cash book, like, daily cash checking and authorization, no cancellation or deletion, no rectification of amounts etc…

Thus if you maintained manual cash book along with the computerized cash book, that definitely increased the credibility of your accounting and control system.

2. Negative Cash Balance

For any reason, it is not accepted to go cash in a negative balance. Check the cash balance and see whether at any point of time it goes negative or not. To check negative cash balance in Tally go to cash book – F6 Daily breakup

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3. Unnecessary Withdrawals

Many a times major chunk of cash is withdrawn from bank for some event and event is cancelled later on.  At that time it is advisable to deposit the same amount to the bank. Many a times while checking cash book, it found that cash is withdrawn even though there was a enough cash balance on the books. This situation creates doubts about the genuine transactions of cash.

4. High and Law Cash balance

What should be  the average cash balance in the NGO. As such there is no such norms on the amount. However, it is advisable to keep low cash balance in the NGO. To check high and low cash balance in Tally,  go to Cash Book -> F6 Daily Breakup -> F12 Configure -> Show High Low Details – YES

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Hope this post on Cash book of NGO will give you some information on how your cash book should look. Check out your cash book and above points before its too late. Please give your comments and suggestion in the given below comment section.

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Demonetization and NGO – Dos and Don’ts

We know the current scenario of demonetization of old currency notes of Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500. As every day new news coming in, it is difficult for us to decided what should be the correct step to deposit old notes.

Earlier, Trust and NGOs were already under the radar of the Government before demonetization,  now we can predict that more strict control coming in near future.

Let us discuss today about dos and don’ts by NGOs in a Question Answer Round.

Q – Can old notes be deposited in NGOs Bank Account and what is the time limit?

A – Yes, old notes can be deposited in NGOs Bank Account till December 30.

Q – How much cash can be deposited?

A – As such no limits, but not more than the CASH ON HAND AS ON 8th NOV.

Q – Can we take cash donation in Old notes now?

A – No. After 8th Nov, old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes are not valid tender.

Q – Can we take donation in cash in back dated and thus create more cash balance as on 8th Nov ?

A – I suggest NO. Just two days back, not confirmed but, IT (Exemption) of Mangalore has issued notices to NGOs to submit authorized copy of cash books as on 8th Nov with denomination.

Q – Can we deposit cash in FC in old notes ?

A – Yes you can deposit old notes in FC account but not more than cash balance of FC books as on 8th Nov. I suggest if the cash balance is not much amount  get it exchange with new notes.

Q – What about staff advance already given before 8th Nov in old notes?

A – Do not take bake the advance and deposit in the Bank. It is advisable to ask staff members to exchange it.

Q – What about Donation boxes lying outside the offices like at airports, malls etc..?

A – Immediately get all the donation boxes back and record its cash on books as donation and keep photographs before and after opening of boxes or record a video at the time of opening of boxes with the current date newspaper. So that later, NGO can prove that the donation boxes open after 8th Nov and there were old notes which were deposited in the bank.

Q – What is advisable regarding taking donations between 8th Nov to 30th Dec..?

A – As a genuine NGO, one should not accept any donation in CASH during this period. If you received donation in new notes, kindly take the proof of the donors and keep the bank deposit slips.

All the above answers are purely my opinion. If you have any further questions, kindly ask in the comment section below this blog.

 

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Latest Updates FCRA – Quarterly Return

Latest Update

Recently FCRA department has updated website and integrated quarterly return tab. Now every NGO has to file a intimation of quarterly receipts of FCRA. Currently Quater – October 2015 to December 2015 is open. So fill this form and submit to FCRA. See the screenshot below.

FCRA_Quarterly

Steps to be followed :

Step 1 – Click on the link shown in the above image.

Step 2 – Login with you user id and password

Step 3 – After login,, first screen is your NGO info page. Click on the last link stating quarterly intimation.

Step 4 – Read all the instruction carefully.

Step 5 – Quarterly Intimation Tab – Select the quarter and entered the total fcra amount received during the quarter. Click Next.

Step 6 – Donorwise Detail Tab – Enter the donor details as per the below screenshot.

Image 2

Step 7 – Final Submit – Check all the details again and then, Final Submit.

Deadline :

As such in FCRA amendments rule quarterly details should be updated within 15 days of quarter end. However for this quarter Oct to Dec 2015, update all the information as early as possible.

Video :

 

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Video – How to upload FCRA documents to website

As you aware that as per new FCRA Act, all the organizations have to upload FCRA documents to the official website of the organization. Read this blog for more details.

If your organization do not have any website or do not afford to have one. you can create free website as illustrated in this video

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FCRA Renewal Status

How do we know, what is the status of application of FCRA renewal ? This is the question, every organization is asking now a days. Yes, we all are waiting regarding any communication from MHA, FCRA department regarding FCRA renewal status.

What is current scenario?

As per our knowledge, no organization,  throughout India has received any Renewal or Query Letter from MHA, FCRA department.

How to check FCRA Renewal Status?

No such mechanism prescribed or available right now online to check where your application is lying. Keep visiting our blog for any new news.

Time limit for FCRA Renewal?

As per section 16 (3) of FCR Act, 2010, renewal certificate should be issued withing 90 days from the date of the application received.

section 16(3)

“The Central Government shall renew the certificate, ordinarily within ninety days from the date of receipt of application for renewal of certificate . . . .

Provided that in case the Central Government does not renew the certificate within the said period of ninety days, it shall communicate the reason thereof to the applicant”

What to do now?

Organization can email to the FCRA department to ds-fcra@nic.dot.in email address (this email address mention on the fcraonline.nic.in website) with the details on which date you apply for renewal and DD no etc..

If you get any communication from FCRA department regarding renewal or any queries, kindly post in the comment so it will be useful to other readers of this blog. Thanks.

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Expenditure of more than Rs. 20000 in Cash

FCRA advisory committee has issued a circular for all the NGOs having registration of FCRA  to spent expenditure of more than Rs. 20000 only by way of CHEQUE or DEMAND DRAFT. This means any CASH Expenditure for more than Rs. 20000 is not advisable as per this circular. The circular issued by FCRA department is attached here.

Let us get into the details.

Why such circular ?

FCRA department has mentioned in the circular that, they have observe many organizations has spend or withdraw huge cash from FCRA Bank and Utilization account.

Is there any provision in FCR Act 2010 ?

As such there is no specific section in the FCR Act, 2010 for limiting expenditure in cash. FCRA Department has given reference of  Sec 40a(3) of Income Tax Act for dis-allowance of expenditure of more than Rs. 20000. However in my opinion that section is applicable to only business income and not grants.

Consequences if spent expenditure for more than Rs. 20000

FCRA department has made it clear in circular that in case of payments expenditure  of more than Rs. 20000 by CASH, such associations are likely to require more intensive scrutiny by Government

What NGO has to do?

Try to make all the payments and expenditure of more than Rs. 20000 by crossed payee cheques or demand draft.

However, in practicality, sometimes NGO has to pay by CASH. In such circumstances there must be valid reason for that and NGO has to keep record for such explanation. So that in case of scrutiny, NGO can put its valid reasons before authorities. (It is author’s personal view)

For any further inquiry click here.

FCRA Department Circular

FCRA Cicrular_Rs20000

 

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Credit Rating of NGO by CRISIL

Credit Ratings of NGOs in India

Grading an NGO is not a new idea, since 2004 Credibility Alliance  was rating NGOs and till now rated more than 200 NGOs in India. Globally, credit ratings of NGOs are done by third party since very long specifically in USA and UK. But now, when CRISIL has introduced credit rating of NGO in India, this will definitely change the scenario of existing fund raising and play very crucial part to attract large donations.

CRISIL is very known agency in India for Credit Ratings and Risk Analysis. CRISIL has recently graded two NGOs, HelpAge India was assigned a VO-1A grade and SOS Children’s Village (SOSCV) was given a ‘VO-2A grade.

CRISIL Grading System for NGOs

CRISIL has come up with two sets of grades for NGO. One for Capacity Delivery and Second for Financial Proficiency. In case of Capacity Delivery ratings are from VO 1A  (very strong) to VO 5A, And for Financial Proficiency grades are High, Moderate and Low.

Norms of CRISIL for NGOs

As mentioned above CRISIL has come up with Capacity Delivery and Financial Proficiency.

In Capacity Delivery mainly three things are focused –

1) Profile  – means people driving the NGO, Founders, Trustees and such other aspects

2) Process – means how sound an NGO is in Processes,  training of Field Staff, project implementation process etc.

3) Program – Impact Analysis of Flagship program of NGO.

To Analyse Financial Proficiency, there has been rigorous procedure to check  –

1) Ability of NGOs to raise funds.

2) How well funds are utilized.

How to apply for NGO ratings of CRISIL?

CRISIL has not mentioned anything on its website regarding application for Credit Rating of NGOs. However I am in touch with their officials and try to get the information. If you wish to apply for CRISIL, put your request and email ID here. I will get back to you once I got all the information.

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Myths and facts about NGO Budget

myths-ARF

Importance of NGO Budget

Now a days, preparing NGO budget requires three dimension knowledge of Financial, Project and Activities and Presentation skills. NGO budget can not be prepared by each and every one. Today, Let us discuss some of the myths regarding NGO Budget.It becomes practice and tradition year after year. But facts are different than these myths.

 1. Budgets cannot be changed

Generally, we all believe that, once Budget is fixed an approved by donor, it can not be changed. But the fact is budgets can be modified to some extent. You can diversify your resources and cut your costs. Of course, take prior permission from your donor agency for this.

2. Budgets can be developed overnight

This is very common myth that budget can be prepared in couple of hours. Take the blank format of Excel Sheet, Put the figures and done. Often in our effort to meet deadlines, we develop budgets overnight. This ends up in poor planning and even rejection of proposals. Always take time to build your budget – your NGO should live with a budget always!

3. Budgets have approximate figures

While preparing budget, we believes that figures contain in the Budget need not be exact. If it is nearby or approximate, than its OK.  But the fact is Budget should be developed on a certain base. They cannot be developed without any basis. In most cases, the basis should be the previous year’s income and expenditure. If applying for a project, look out for the expenses of the project’s previous year.  Donor funding limitation to be also considered.

4. Budget can be developed by a single person

Generally, Budget is prepared by either Project coordinator or Trustee – single person or may be two persons. However Budget work is a joint exercise. It is a team work. Involving the entire team including Administrative and Accounting Staff is important to produce an effective budget.

5. Budgets have same formats

All budgets do not have same formats. Different budgets are developed for different purposes. If you are writing a proposal, it is a different budget format and if you managing an organization, you will have a different budget format. Similarly, different donor agencies have different budget formats.

source : fundsforngos

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