In January, Marvin Irby, CFO of the National Restaurant Association, Washington, was named the 2013 CFO of the Year. Irby now gives his thoughts on association finances.

What do you think is the single-most important issue facing association finance professionals today?

Adjusting to the challenging economic environment by discovering additional revenue generating opportunities. The traditional association funding model is under tremendous economic pressure. Continuing to expand our business model while enhancing member value is a continual challenge. Continue reading ›

We’ve all seen them, and many of us have been lucky enough to work directly with them – great CFOs.

They are motivated by the future, committed to delivering in the present, and hold a healthy respect for the lessons of the past. They champion clear, measurable long-term goals and drive practical short term prioritization. They build and sustain a strong team with diverse talents, and in doing so, they accelerate the momentum of the organization. They bring a talent for balance and objectivity to the table, and they model the process of growth in harmony with the overarching mission. Continue reading ›

What are the challenges nonprofit CFOs face today? How are you/A4A meeting that challenge?

Each nonprofit, whether a 501(c) 3, 4, 6, etc., has a unique set of challenges based on the makeup of its mission, constituents and available resources. Most nonprofits, by the nature of the business, work with somewhat limited resources. A central challenge facing nonprofit CFOs today is managing the balance between uses of those resources while doing everything possible to achieve its mission. Continue reading ›