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Blue Fox's 2021 Strategic Planning and 12 Week Year

11/19/2021

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Defining OUR WHY: "After much discussion and brainstorming, we always came back to the same theme, YOU MATTER!"

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It was a strategic planning kind of year for Blue Fox. Our virtual Team met up IRL in New Orleans to strategize about how we can continue to best serve our clients. (ICYMI, we provide outsourced accounting services for nonprofits and social enterprises, along with payroll processing, tax preparation, HR guidance and financial consulting.)

We learned a lot moving through this process and thought you might find some use in a peek behind the curtain... so here's how it all unfolded. We kicked off strategic planning by watching Simon Sinek's Ted Talk, Start With Why.

Inspired, we set out to define OUR WHY. 

After much discussion and brainstorming, we always came back to the same theme: YOU MATTER!
Powerful, right?! And so true.

If you've ever talked to our CEO, Chantal Sheehan, or any one of our our foxtastic team members, then you already understand OUR WHY; there's no doubt we make you feel like YOU MATTER!. This theme has been at the core of Blue Fox from day one. It's only now that we recognize it's actually our explicit reason for being.

Chantal Explains: 

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"We are building a company that lives and breathes YOU MATTER everyday. We did it instinctively and naturally because we consistently show up as caring, authentic humans serving other humans. Now that we recognize that driving force, we plan to be intentional and use it to inform our strategic initiatives."

Chantal Sheehan, Blue Fox Founder & CEO

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The Results - Our Strategic Plan

Based on our strategery (that's a word right?), we identified three areas to focus on:

  • Deepen Efficiency and Streamline Client Services
  • Build Internal Capacity
  • Focus on Data-Driven Decisions

Were we lacking in any of these areas? Not entirely. But technology changes at such a rapid pace and we want to keep up. We need to make sure that we use the latest and greatest tools to serve our clients with our best of breed approach. Our systems should talk to each other like old friends. Our exact processes must be defined, documented, and streamlined constantly. Our team must continue to develop their expertise in both accounting and technology. And, as we advise our clients, we must use data to make decisions.

This felt like a list we could rally behind. And so we did, making huge strategic advancements in just a few months.

How We Got It Done

Have you heard of the 12 Week Year?

It's a book, by Brian P. Morgan and Michael Lennington that promises to help you get more done in 12 weeks than most people get done in 12 months. Essentially, the theory is that if you block out time (literally - on the calendar) each week dedicated to your big goals, you'll actually make progress toward or achieve them in less time.

Naturally, our team of overachieving accounting gurus said, "We're in!" We worked together to map out 12 weeks of tasks, and each team member worked with an accountability buddy to get the job done.

The Results 

After a quarter year of intense focus on our strategic goals, we made major improvements to our internal structure and our ability to best serve our nonprofit, social enterprise, and tax clients.

Here's a sample of what we were able to achieve:
  • Increased integration of accounting systems and tools
  • Implementation of new sales and client service systems
  • Identified Our Ideal Client and positioned services accordingly
  • Further standardized and enhanced the client onboarding experience
  • Implemented even more data security measures to protect clients

We are a company committed to excellence, growth, efficacy, and service to others (Read: Our 5 Pillars of Service). We serve our clients with best-in-class technology, high touch personal support, strategic insights and most of all respect and kindness.

If your organization is looking for this level of support in accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, tax, HR and/or financial consulting, we're your fox! Let's talk about your back office needs today!
schedule your consultation today
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Here are some other articles you might enjoy reading:
5 New Year's Resolutions For Sustainable Nonprofits
​3 Vital Resources for Nonprofit Start-Ups 
​
How to Create a Fairly Meaningful Budget 
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Data Breach Protocol

11/15/2021

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5 Immediate Steps to Take When Your Organization Experiences a Data Breach, Bank Fraud

Free Download: Data Breach & Bank Fraud Protocol

download the protocol here
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Your stomach drops.
Your palms start to sweat.
Panic sets in.


​You just noticed that your organization's bank account is missing a huge sum of money. Money that took months or years to fundraise is simply gone. What do you do?!

In the digital age we live in today, bank account fraud is all too common. Hackers are increasingly sophisticated and aggressive in their cyber-attacks. What might start as a ‘simple’ looking scam email can easily turn into a devastating case of bank fraud over time.  

If your company has experienced bank fraud, you know how quickly one fraudulent transaction can turn into dozens as your bank information is bought and sold across the dark web to bad actors around the world, threatening the livelihood of your organization in a matter of days.  

If you are the victim of bank fraud, you MUST ACT QUICKLY to prevent a catastrophic turn of events for your cash on hand.

To help you do that, we’ve put together this recommended protocol for you based on our experiences and the expert advice of cyber-security specialists.

download the protocol here (it's free)
At Blue Fox we make sure our client's data is 100% save and secure! Here are just some of the measures we take for complete protection:
  • Use bank-level encrypted software and systems that are actively defended from cyberattacks
  • Never email sensitive information or forms
  • Actively educate our team on cybersecurity and internet safety

If your organization could use assistance in your back office, reach out to our team of nonprofit gurus today! We cheerfully provide social good organizations with bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, tax preparation, CFO level support and financial consulting. Let our experts handle your back office tasks and hand-deliver strategic insights. We will give you more time in your day to focus on your mission, serve others and make our world a better place.
Why outsource?

​Here are
10 reasons why it make sense now, more than ever!
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Here are some other articles you might enjoy reading:
2021 Nonprofit Data Breach Resource Round-up
Worried About Identity Theft? The IRS Recommends This...
Don't Ignore This Nonprofit Financial Management Advice From NTEN
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Free Download: Audit Checklist for Nonprofits

11/8/2021

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Nonprofit Audit Requirements, Recommendations & Pro Tips!

Download the checklist here
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So, your nonprofit is being audited - don't panic!

​Our squad at Blue Fox created this comprehensive checklist to help your team prepare for a smooth audit process. We encourage you think about the audit as a proactive management tool (not a huge thorn in your side).

The auditor’s findings will in fact provide actionable insights on how to improve your back office and financial management practices. Bonus: implement the advice on our checklist and become a better financial steward even before the audit starts. (Your donors will like the sound of that!)
here's the checklist (free download)
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Do All Nonprofits Require An Audit? 

First, we must say that our team at Blue Fox is pro-audit for nonprofits.  We know that financial oversight helps develop sustainable and transparent financial management practices. Is an audit intimating? It can be. But your organization will come out stronger on the other side. We encourage you to heed the advice in our audit readiness checklist so you can be as prepared as possible for a smooth and successful audit. 

But, is it required? The answer is more complicated than yes or no. According to the Council of Nonprofits, there are "circumstances that may trigger the requirement for an independent audit." Click here for that full article. 

For further questions, feel free to contact our team of nonprofit financial gurus. We can help your organization get sorted year-round and in the event that your nonprofit is being audited. We cheerfully serve our clients with 
customized financial and back office services ranging from standard bookkeeping and accounting, payroll and tax, to coaching and consulting, to comprehensive virtual CFO services. 
let's talk about this in person
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Related blog posts:
10 Reasons to Outsource Your Nonprofit Accounting
Tips to get You a clean Audit Every Year 
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Blue Fox is Hiring: Our Ideal Client!

11/1/2021

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Does Your Organization Have What It Takes?
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Recently, our team at Blue Fox spent a weekend deep in strategery (a.k.a. strategic planning). During a caffeine-induced brainstorming sesh, we set out to identify and define our ideal social good niche. It turns out that our team's expertise is aligned to serve organizations with the traits outlined below. We call them: Our Ideal Clients. And, because we like to be funky and unique, we wrote it up as a job description. Take a read and if your organization fits the bill, apply to be a Blue Fox client today :)

POSITION OVERVIEW
Blue Fox is seeking nonprofits and social enterprise organizations that are interested in taking their back office operations and financial stewardship to the next level. As our Ideal Client, you will be responsible for putting your trust in Blue Fox to seamlessly manage your day-to-day financial operations and provide you with expert level financial guidance. Periodic virtual coffee breaks together are encouraged. :)

​WE ARE SEEKING:

  • U.S. based nonprofits and social enterprises (B-Corps, C-Corps, S-Corps, or 501(c)(3)s only)
  • Established organizations with an annual budget of $5M or less
  • A staff of 50 employees or less
  • Missions that matter, especially missions related to conservation and environmental stewardship
  • Inclusive teams with a commitment to DEI
  • Technology lovers looking to work smarter and create efficiencies across the back office
  • Organizations that invest in professional development for their team (people matter!)
  • QuickBooks Online users

KEY PERSONALITY TRAITS FOR SUCCESS

  • Kindness and honesty are non-negotiable
  • Life-long learners committed to developing their financial capacity
  • Ability to ask for help when needed (it’s okay, we’ve got you!)
  • Sense of humor (it’s just accounting – not life or death!)
  • No drama Mamas (and we do like working with guys, too, of course!)
  • Driven by COMMON SENSE

TIME COMMITMENT
The Ideal Client position requires is 1-2 hour/month (wow, that’s way less than you spend on your books now)! Client on-boarding may require 3-5 hours/week for a 4-week time period. After that, Blue Fox will manage your financial back office so you can focus on program development, fundraising, marketing and making positive contributions in the community you serve.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
Complete this form to schedule a complimentary consultation so we can discuss you needs.

While you're here, meet some of our clients, the Changemakers of Today! We think you'll enjoy what they have to say about our Blue Fox team.

About Blue Fox: Our team provides customized financial and back-office services for social impact organizations. Services range from standard bookkeeping and payroll services to coaching and consulting, to comprehensive virtual CFO services. Our mission is to disrupt the traditional accounting model through technology, innovation, and a radically client-focused approach that truly empowers nonprofits and social enterprises. For more information call (321) 233-3311, email hello@yourbluefox.com, and visit www.yourbluefox.com.

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Here are some articles you might enjoy reading:
Meet One of The Most High-Functioning, Financially Sustainable Nonprofit Organizations We Know
​Why Outsource to Blue Fox? Just Ask One of Our Newest Clients
How Client On-boarding Works With Blue Fox
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    Our Blog

    Welcome to the Blue Fox Blog! A fairly entertaining source of info and news related to our company, nonprofits, social sector trends, and, of course, accounting. Enjoy!

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BLUE FOX
Phone:
(321) 233-3311, Email: hello@yourbluefox.com
Mailing Address: 2542 Woodfield Circle, Melbourne, FL 32904
Copyright © 2023 - All Rights Reserved
​
​Holiday office closures:
To give our employees time to unplug and refresh with their family and friends, the Blue Fox virtual office closes 
for all federal holidays, the week of Thanksgiving, and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.
  • Accounting Services
    • Employee Retention Credit (ERC) Eligibility
  • Tax Preparation
    • Tax Deadlines
  • About
    • Our Founder & CEO
    • Our Team
    • Our Clients
    • Now Hiring: Bookkeeper
    • Our Philosophy
    • Benefits of Outsourced Accounting Services for Nonprofits
    • Technology Solutions
    • Testimonials
    • FAQs
    • Join the Team >
      • Now Hiring: Tax Specialist (Remote)
  • Blog
  • Freebies
  • Contact
  • Subscribe