- Not-For-Profit, Sage Intacct
Not-for-profit organisations face many of the same challenges as commercial businesses – but with tighter budgets and heightened public scrutiny. Rising costs, increasing demand, and new reporting obligations leave many charities asking how they can stay compliant while continuing to deliver vital services.
Transparent financial management isn’t just a legal requirement. It builds trust, attracts funding, and ensures essential work continues. In the UK/Irish region, there is growing public interest in charity finances, with charity regulators reporting a significant rise in views of financial records. At the same time, more organisations are updating their accounting systems to keep pace with stricter regulations and higher expectations.
Accountability is under the microscope
Recent reports from the Charities Regulator show that financial control and transparency remain key areas of concern for charities. New public reporting systems now flag whether a charity has submitted its annual accounts on time. Missing deadlines or submitting incomplete data can not only risk regulatory action but also damage donor confidence.
In this context, accurate and timely financial reporting is more than an internal task – it’s a public commitment. Boards and finance teams need the right tools to uphold that commitment.
Why the right accounting software matters
Charities have unique financial requirements that spreadsheets or standard accounting tools often struggle to support. Grant tracking, multi-fund reporting, and detailed audit trails all demand a specialised solution. Sage Intacct accounting software provides this. Designed for not-for-profits, it ensures compliance while keeping finances transparent and accessible.
UK charities working with Envisage consistently report that Sage Intacct has transformed their financial management. Real-time dashboards and automated reporting give executives instant insight into their organisation’s financial health. Detailed drill-down capabilities make audits and compliance checks far simpler, while also satisfying trustees, regulators, and donors.
As a trusted Sage Intacct partner, Envisage has helped not-for-profits across the UK and Ireland make the most of these capabilities. By pairing the software with our sector-specific expertise, finance teams gain confidence in managing multiple grants, tracking funds accurately, and reporting with clarity.
Putting it into practice: Sage Intacct features for not-for-profits
Sage Intacct offers tools that enable charities to manage finances more effectively, maintain transparency, and make informed decisions. Beyond basic accounting, it gives finance teams control and clarity, allowing them to focus on their mission rather than manual processes.
• Tracks funds and grants with confidence:
Managing multiple grants and restricted funds can be complex. Sage Intacct centralises fund tracking, making it easier to allocate, monitor, and report on each fund. This ensures resources are used appropriately and provides a clear, auditable record for donors and regulators.
• Built-in audit trails:
Every transaction is automatically logged, creating a reliable audit trail. This helps charities respond quickly to questions, remain audit-ready, and reassure boards and leadership that all financial activity is transparent.
• Automation that frees up resources:
Routine tasks like journal entries, supplier payments, or procure-to-pay processes can consume valuable time. Sage Intacct automates these tasks, reducing errors and freeing staff to focus on strategic priorities such as planning, performance analysis, or donor engagement.
• Powerful visual insights:
Finance teams can use dashboards and visual reports to identify trends, measure impact, and communicate results effectively. Visual insights make it easier for boards and donors to understand how funds are used and the outcomes achieved.
• Flexible and secure in the cloud:
With staff and volunteers often working remotely, cloud access is vital. Sage Intacct allows secure access to financial processes from any location, supporting collaboration, resilience, and continuity without costly IT infrastructure.
• Easy integration with other systems:
Most charities rely on multiple platforms for fundraising, operations, and donor management. Sage Intacct integrates smoothly with these systems, providing a single, accurate view of finances and simplifying everyday tasks so teams can focus on their mission.
Partnering for Success
Software alone isn’t enough. Working with an experienced Sage Intacct partner ensures expert guidance on setup, configuration, and ongoing support. At Envisage, we help nonprofits implement Sage Intacct in a way that aligns with their processes and regulatory requirements, giving finance teams confidence to focus on their mission.
The right guidance also helps organisations meet compliance standards, building trust with donors, volunteers, and the communities they serve. Sage Intacct equips charities to meet current reporting obligations while preparing for future challenges, allowing finance teams to feel supported and confident.
Whether managing multiple grants, preparing for audits, or moving on from outdated spreadsheets, Sage Intacct can make a real difference. Let us help your organisation thrive – contact Envisage for expert advice tailored to you.
About the Author
David Burke
David Burke, the Technical Director for Envisage, is responsible for developing bespoke and off-the-shelf solutions, including easyDD for Sage. In 2023, he achieved accreditation as a Sage Intacct Implementation Certified Consultant.
