Board Oversight in Plain English
You don’t need to be an accountant.
You need to understand the numbers.
Build the confidence to take part in meaningful financial oversight.
Board service brings financial questions, even when accounting is not your background. Learn to understand the reports, recognize concerns, and ask for information that supports informed decisions.
Explore the Workshop ↓Designed for real organizational leaders—not accountants.
No accounting degree needed.
For boards of nonprofits and research organizations, meaningful oversight starts with understanding what the financial information shows, what remains unclear, and what deserves follow-up.
Understand your oversight role.
Understand the board’s financial responsibilities and how governance, management, and finance roles work together.
Read the financial story.
Make sense of financial statements, significant variances, and the difference between available cash and financial health.
Recognize warning signs.
Notice reporting gaps, unexplained changes, and financial concerns that deserve clearer answers from management.
Ask questions that support oversight.
Build confidence discussing risk, controls, and follow-up while keeping the board’s governance role clear.
For the people responsible for the organization
You don’t have to be the accountant to ask better questions.
Board members and committee members
For new and experienced board members, treasurers, and finance or audit committee members who want clearer financial understanding.
Executive directors and finance staff
Build a shared language for presenting financial information, explaining concerns, and supporting informed board discussion.
Consultants and governance partners
For professionals supporting boards that need approachable financial education and stronger oversight conversations.
For nonprofit and research organization boards and leadership teams. Ask about a private workshop tailored to your board’s experience, reporting, and oversight questions.
Led by Upenda Danridge, M.S.
Experience behind the explanation.
20+ years in nonprofit accounting, a master’s degree in Forensic Accounting, and prior public accounting experience auditing nonprofit organizations.
A forensic-minded perspective on financial accountability, documentation, and oversight—explained in plain English.
A welcoming place to learn
Bring the question you haven’t asked yet.
You don’t need technical language or a fully defined concern to take part. Start with what feels unclear.
Board Oversight
IN PLAIN ENGLISH
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Format: Virtual/ In-Person
⭐ Price: $197
This workshop is designed specifically for board members, executive directors, and consultants who want clarity without the jargon.
⭐Workshop Overview
Nonprofit boards don’t need to be accountants, but they do need to understand the financials well enough to ask the right questions, fulfill fiduciary duties, and protect the organization. This workshop is designed specifically for board members, executive directors, staff, and consultants who want clarity without the jargon.
Participants learn how to read financial statements, spot red flags, understand their oversight role, and build confidence in financial decision‑making.
New dates are released seasonally. Join the waitlist or request a private workshop for your board.
This workshop is Ideal for:
Board Members who want clarity and confidence
Executive Directors who want a board that understands the numbers
Finance Staff who want to improve board communication
Consultants who support nonprofit governance
Boards are legally responsible for financial oversight
Most board members never receive plain‑English financial training
Better oversight reduces audit findings and financial risk
Strong boards make stronger financial decisions
Clear financial understanding improves ED–Board alignment
This workshop helps you understands your role and responsiblity.
What This Workshop Will Help You Do
Build confident, informed board oversight without needing an accounting background.
What you will learn
The board’s financial oversight responsibilities (in plain English)
How to read nonprofit financial statements
What questions board members should ask every month
Red flags that signal financial risk
How to support the ED and finance team without micromanaging
How to build a Finance Committee that actually works
You Don’t Need To Be An Accountant.
You Just Need To Understand The Numbers.
No Accounting Background Needed
Why Board Oversight Matter
Stronger Boards, Leads to Stronger Missions:
UPCOMING SESSIONS
Virtual/ In-Person
TBA
Location:
Virtual / In-Person
⭐Price: $197
What’s Included
60–75 minute workshop
Real‑world nonprofit examples
Quick Reference Guides
Q&A time
Real-World Financial Oversight Experience
Designed for real-world leaders- not accountants!
Workshop insights provided by an accountant with:
20+ years of nonprofit accounting experience
A Master’s Degree in Forensic Accounting
Experience performing nonprofit audits in public accounting
A forensic-minded approach to accountability and internal controls