HSNF 1 | Human Service Nonprofit Finance 101

Thursday, September 24, 2026, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM ET through Thursday, October 1, 2026, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM ET

Online via Zoom

Continuing Education Offered

• 6 hours general live interactive online

Description

Human Service Nonprofit Finance 101 introduces the essential principles of financial management and accounting for professionals working in human service nonprofit organizations. This course covers the vital role of finance in organizational operations, drawing connections across financial decision-making, strategic planning, and mission achievement. Participants will learn to interpret and utilize key nonprofit financial statements—such as the Statement of Activities, Statement of Functional Expenses, Statement of Financial Position, and Statement of Cashflow—and apply ratio analysis to benchmark organizational health. The curriculum also examines the socio-political environment of human service fields, highlights the importance of transparent budgeting, and addresses critical topics such as the nonprofit starvation cycle and the utility and limitations of financial analysis. Through interactive lectures, real-world case studies, and hands-on exercises, participants will develop foundational financial acumen and strategic insights to strengthen the effectiveness and sustainability of human service organizations. This course draws on leading research and practical frameworks, ensuring participants can confidently navigate the complex financial landscape of the human service fields.

Objectives

1. Describe the importance of finance in human service organizational operation and management.
2. Summarize basic concepts of nonprofit financial management and accounting. 
3. Summarize the basic features of Statement of Activities and Statement of Functional Expenses.
4. Identify ratios and benchmarks using Statement of Activities and Statement of Functional Expenses.
5. Describe basic features of Statement of Financial Position & Statement of Cashflow.
6. Estimate ratios and benchmarks using Statement of Financial Position & Statement of Cashflow.

Agenda

Thursday, September 24, 2026

• 6:00pm–6:30pm Characteristics of human service organizations
• 6:30pm–7:00pm Principles and utility of accounting
• 7:00pm–7:30pm Nonprofit financial statements: Statement of Activities
• 7:30pm–8:00pm Nonprofit financial statements: Statement of Functional Expenses
• 8:00pm–8:30pm Utility and limitation of ratio analysis
• 8:30pm–9:00pm Estimate ratios and benchmarks using the Statement of Activities and the Statement of Functional Expenses

Thursday, October 1, 2026

• 6:00pm–6:30pm Nonprofit financial statements: Statement of Financial Position
• 6:30pm–7:00pm Nonprofit financial statements: Statement of Cashflow
• 7:00pm–7:30pm Estimate ratios and benchmarks using the Statement of Financial Position and the Statement of Cashflow
• 7:30pm–8:00pm Comparative financial ratio analysis
• 8:00pm–8:30pm Basics of strategic planning
• 8:30pm–9:00pm Decision-making case study

Instructor

Sunggeun (Ethan) Park, PhD, MSW, MBA

CE Approval Statement

The University of Michigan School of Social Work, provider #1212, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 5/15/2026–5/15/2029. 

Social workers completing this course will receive 6 general continuing education credits.

Please see the CE Policies page for more information about continuing education.