Cash and banking are currently hot topics that we previously did not worry about too much. Brett’s article is a good overview on the topic. Please contact your banking representative or our office to learn about current issues and safeguards you can implement to protect your cash.

Kathy Hostetler, CPA

As a non-profit organization, you should have many controls over cash transactions. Cash transactions may be well documented, but once the money hits the bank account are you sure it’s still safe?

Banks can be one of the safest places to store your cash reserves. Balances earn interests and are easily accessible when needed. Recently however, banks are prone to failure, and limiting your risk is important. Understanding the risks associated with different types of bank and investment accounts will protect your non-profit’s cash reserves.

There is a risk of losing some or all of your cash reserves, and depending on your organization you may want to reduce that risk. Although most accounts are insured by the federal government, the maximum amount may differ depending on what type of an account/institution the deposit was held in.

The most common bank accounts are checking and savings accounts. The FDIC insures these accounts up to $250,000. Money Markets have a higher level of insurance which typically is $500,000 by SIPC. Investment accounts such as mutual funds and stocks are typically not insured by the federal government. Stocks and mutual funds are not terrible choices, as with more risk comes more reward (i.e. higher interest rates).

Having a good investment plan in place and maintaining your non-profit’s cash balances to have as much cash insured by the federal government will allow you to ride out the economic turmoil without stress, and with guaranteed access to your cash.

Brett Hubert