Efficiency Audit Overview
We are currently experiencing unparalleled economic conditions that will present serious challenges to our nonprofit community. These times demand that organizations become significantly more efficient in how they operate, and develop creative and innovative ways of looking at their programming, their infrastructure and their fundraising.
Management Consulting Services (MCS) for over 20 years has delivered on its mission of enhancing the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations. We are using our experience now to provide an Efficiency Audit to determine the most effective changes that your organization will need to make to maintain your core mission and yet sustain yourself with reduced levels of revenue. With this Audit, MCS will help you develop contingency plans based on your forecast of how you will be impacted by future economic conditions.
This Audit is a high level overview of your programming, operations, physical environment and financial position. From this Audit we can help you determine the most effective changes that you need to make after assuming several revenue projections. And finally, our Efficiency Audit is developed to be completed in about two weeks and is reasonably priced, so that we can give your organization important information quickly and affordably.
Initial Analysis
Our Audit includes a review of:
Program Sustainability
- Programs, according to mission
- Staffing efficiency
- Increasing productivity
- Use of networks and partnerships
Environment and Infrastructure Sustainability
- Use of space
- Office expenses
- Utilities review
- Work environment options
Financial Opportunities
- Accounting infrastructure
- Administration management
- Information Technology review
- Managing labor costs
Revenue Opportunities
- Money management
- Other assets
- Fees-for-services
- Fundraising opportunities
Onsite Meetings
- In an intensive one day site visit, our staff will meet with your staff, including your top managers and financial leaders, conduct at least one group interview, do a site walk through and environmental audit, and help develop an efficiency committee to work with us in our analysis and follow up to implement our joint recommendations.
- Interviews with ED, Board chair, COO, IT manager, Treasurer, Development Director and other top leaders
- Group interview with key/interested staff
- Meeting with efficiency committee
Final Analysis includes
- Contingency plans for revenue shortfalls and efficiencies needed to cope with those shortfalls
- Possible additional sources of revenue
- Areas of program modifications for increased efficiency and mission effectiveness
- Environmental infrastructure review and possible savings
- Cost savings from budget analysis
- Possible collaborations and partnerships to achieve program goals more efficiently
Presentation of Analysis and Recommendations
- 1-2 hour presentation to organization
- 3-5 page document with recommendations, cost savings and contingency analysis
- Facilitated leadership support group at MCS
- Efficiency committee follow up if requested
- Special internet support pages on MCS web site for participants
The cost:
Organizations with revenue:
under $1m. $1,500
from $1m. to $5m. $3,000
more than $5m $5,000
Ask your funders / foundation if they will provide sponsorship assistance, as many area foundations have worked with MCS over the past two decades.
