Internal Controls in Plain English
Designed for real organizational leaders—not accountants.
Understand what protects your organization—and where financial processes may leave you exposed.
Approvals, access, documentation, and oversight all play a part. This workshop helps you understand how they fit together and recognize when your controls deserve a closer look.
Explore the Workshop ↓Growth changes risk
Do your controls still fit the organization you lead?
The question isn’t whether your organization has financial controls. It’s whether those controls still match the risks you’re managing.
See the purpose behind the process.
Understand how approvals, reconciliations, documentation, and review support accountability and reliable financial information.
Recognize concentrated responsibilities.
Understand segregation of duties and the oversight questions that matter when a small team handles many responsibilities.
Notice financial blind spots.
Recognize warning signs that can increase exposure to errors, misuse of funds, compliance concerns, and audit findings.
Ask for meaningful evidence.
Know what to ask about who performs a control, how review is documented, and whether concerns receive follow-up.
For the people responsible for the organization
You don’t have to be the accountant to ask better questions.
Executive directors and program leaders
Understand the responsibilities, processes, and financial warning signs that affect day-to-day decisions.
Board treasurers and oversight teams
Build confidence asking about financial safeguards, reporting, and management’s follow-through.
Finance staff and small teams
Develop a shared understanding of control responsibilities, documentation, and the challenges of limited staffing.
Examples focus on nonprofits. Research organization teams can discuss a session relevant to their funding, workflows, and oversight needs.
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 accountability, financial oversight, and internal controls—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.
Internal Controls
IN PLAIN ENGLISH
A practical, nonprofit‑friendly workshop to reduce risk, prevent fraud, and strengthen your financial systems.
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Format: Virtual/ In-Person
⭐ Price: Starting at $197
This workshop breaks down internal controls in practical, plain language so you can protect your organization with confidence.
This workshop is Ideal for:
Executive Directors
Finance staff (new or experienced)
Board Treasurers
Program managers who handle money
Small nonprofits with limited staff
Organizations preparing for audit season
No accounting background needed everything is explained inplain English.
Fraud
Misuse of funds
Audit findings
Grant compliance issues
Financial blind spots
Reputational damage
This workshop helps you recognize risks before they become expensive problems.
What This Workshop Will Help You Do
Internal controls don’t have to be complicated, expensive, or overwhelming. This workshop breaks everything down in plain English so you can:
What you will learn
-Understand the core controls every nonprofit must have
-Reduce fraud risk without adding staff
-Strengthen segregation of duties (even with a tiny team)
-Build workflows that protect your money and your mission
-Know exactly what auditors look for and why
-Identify your biggest vulnerabilities and fix them quickly
You Don’t Need Better Spreadsheets.
You Need Better Controls.
No Accounting Background Needed
Why Internal Controls Matter
Weak Internal Controls Can Lead To:
UPCOMING SESSIONS
Virtual/ In-Person
TBA
Location:
Virtual / In-Person
⭐Price: Starting at $197
What’s Included
60–75 minute workshop
Real‑world nonprofit examples
Internal controls checklist
Workflow templates
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 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