FAQs

About ICNU

1. What does ICNU do?

ICNU provides concierge-style back office support for nonprofits and churches through a simple monthly subscription. We handle the financial and administrative details that often overwhelm leaders—things like bookkeeping, payroll oversight, board reporting, and compliance—so you can focus on your mission.

2. What kinds of organizations does ICNU work with?

We primarily serve small to mid-sized nonprofits and churches that don’t have a full finance or operations team. Most of our clients have 2–50 employees and annual budgets under $5 million, though we can support larger organizations on a case-by-case basis.

3. What does “concierge-style back office support” mean?

It means we don’t just push numbers through a system. We offer hands-on guidance, quick answers to your questions, and tailored support so your leadership team feels confident and supported. We’re not a faceless vendor—we become a trusted partner who’s available when you need help.

4. Why should I choose ICNU instead of hiring a bookkeeper, CPA, or fractional CFO?

Most nonprofits can’t afford a full-time CFO or high-cost consultants, and bookkeepers often can’t provide strategic guidance. ICNU bridges the gap. You get expert financial oversight, staff training, and board-ready reporting for a predictable monthly cost—without adding another employee to your payroll.

Pricing & Engagement

5. How much does an ICNU subscription cost?

Our pricing is transparent and scalable. Each tier has a base fee plus a per-employee rate:

  • Tier 1: $125 base + $125 per full-time employee (minimum $500/month)

  • Tier 2: $225 base + $225 per full-time employee (minimum $900/month)

  • Tier 3: $350 base + $350 per full-time employee (minimum $1,400/month)

You only pay for the support you need—no surprise hourly invoices.

6. What’s included in each service tier?

Each tier builds on the last. For example:

  • Trusted Advisor: Bookkeeping oversight, staff guidance, and access to expert advice.

  • Fractional Executive: Adds board reporting, budget development, and deeper financial reviews.

  • Strategic Partner: Includes strategic planning, grant and funder reporting, and higher-level leadership support.

You can review our nonprofit or church subscription tiers for details, or schedule a call and we’ll walk through what makes sense for your organization.

7. Is there a contract or can we cancel anytime?

We keep it simple. Our agreements are month-to-month, so you can adjust or cancel as your needs change. Most clients stay long-term because we save them time, money, and stress.

8. How do you calculate the per-employee pricing?

We use full-time equivalent (FTE) counts to scale our work fairly. A part-time staff member counts as a fraction of an FTE. This approach ensures our pricing matches the complexity of your organization without overcharging smaller teams.

9. Can you customize services if we don’t need everything in a tier?

Yes. If your needs fall between tiers, we’ll tailor a plan so you’re only paying for the services that actually benefit you. Our goal is to make sure your back office is covered—not to sell you extras you don’t need.

Services & Process

10. What kinds of back office tasks do you handle?

We handle the finance and operations essentials most nonprofits struggle to manage, including:

  • Bookkeeping oversight (ensuring accuracy, not data entry)

  • Payroll review and staff training

  • Board-ready financial reporting

  • Budget creation and cash flow planning

  • Audit and grant readiness support

  • QuickBooks Online (QBO) best practices and coaching

We’re not a tax preparer or audit firm, but we make sure you’re ready for both.

11. Do you replace our accountant or work alongside them?

We work alongside your accountant or CPA, not in place of them. We handle the day-to-day clarity, reporting, and systems your board needs, while your CPA can focus on tax filings and audits. Our role helps keep everyone aligned and your books in top shape year-round.

12. Can ICNU help us get ready for audits or grant applications?

Yes. Many of our clients come to us specifically because they feel unprepared for audits, grant applications, or board reviews. We help clean up your books, structure your reports, and create the systems funders and auditors expect.

13. What’s the difference between ICNU and a typical accounting firm?

Most accounting firms focus on taxes and compliance. ICNU focuses on clarity and confidence—helping you understand your numbers, make better decisions, and keep your team aligned. We’re proactive partners, not just year-end processors.

14. What happens during onboarding?

In the first 30–45 days, we’ll:

  • Review your current systems and pain points

  • Set up a shared drive for documents and reporting

  • Host a discovery call to define priorities and goals

  • Deliver an action plan with clear next steps

Our onboarding process is designed to reduce stress and create quick wins so you feel immediate relief.

15. How do you ensure confidentiality with sensitive financial data?

We use secure cloud-based systems, encrypted document sharing, and strict internal protocols to protect your information. Only authorized team members access your data, and we never share information without your permission.

For Nonprofit Leaders

16. Do you work with churches as well as nonprofits?

Yes. ICNU was founded to support both nonprofits and churches, and we tailor our approach to the unique needs of each.

17. What size organizations do you typically support?

Most of our clients have budgets between $250,000 and $5 million and teams of 2–50 employees. If you’re outside that range, we can still explore a fit—we’ve worked with everything from start-ups to established ministries.

18. We already have a part-time bookkeeper. Do we still need ICNU?

Probably. Many clients keep their bookkeeper for data entry but rely on ICNU for oversight, reporting, and strategy. We ensure your books are accurate, your staff is trained, and your board gets the information they need.

19. Will you train our staff so we can eventually do this ourselves?

Yes. One of our goals is to build your team’s capacity. We’ll train your staff in QuickBooks Online, coding, and best practices so you can operate confidently, even if we scale back our involvement later.

20. Can ICNU help us if our books are a mess right now?

Absolutely. Many organizations hire us when they’re behind on reconciliations or feeling overwhelmed by messy records. We specialize in cleanup and getting you audit- and grant-ready, without judgment.

Getting Started

21. How do we know which service tier is right for us?

Start with a free consultation. We’ll review your staff size, current systems, and pain points, then recommend the tier (or custom plan) that fits. You won’t be pressured to upgrade or commit.

22. How quickly can we get started?

Most clients are fully onboarded within 2–3 weeks, though we can move faster if your needs are urgent. Cleanup projects may take longer, but we’ll give you a timeline upfront.

23. Do you offer a free consultation?

Yes. We offer a no-obligation discovery call to discuss your needs, walk through our tiers, and answer your questions.

24. How do we sign up or schedule a call?

Just fill out our nonprofit or church intake form or schedule a call directly using the link at the top of the page. We’ll guide you from there.