Nonprofits are adapting constantly. They are pivoting through budget changes, evolving funder expectations, and growing pressure to show impact. But through all that, your greatest asset isn’t a new grant or a polished report.
It’s your people.
Right now, finance teams are running lean. They’re doing high-stakes work with low-margin tools and burnout is building. If your systems slow them down, replacing them will cost more than upgrading ever would.
Modern tools aren’t just a tech investment—they’re a talent retention strategy.
“If they walk into the office and see piles of paper, it’s a red flag.”
— Andrew Horrow, Director of Finance, Fifth Avenue CommitteeThis blog was inspired by our recent webinar with Andrew Horrow, where we explored how systems impact staff retention and why the right tools matter now more than ever. Watch the webinar →
Manual approvals. Spreadsheet patchwork. Printed receipts and endless corrections. These aren't just inefficient, they’re a warning sign to the next generation of nonprofit finance professionals.
At Providence Child Development Society, finance staff were stuck pulling reports manually and entering data into disconnected systems. Their frustration rippled across the organization, creating delays for every team that depended on them. Once they implemented Sparkrock, reporting became faster, more reliable, and less manual. Staff had more time to focus on financial strategy, not spreadsheet triage.
Today’s hires grew up with cloud tools, automation, and real-time reporting. When they encounter outdated systems, it sends a message: This organization is stuck.
And no matter how strong the mission is, they won’t stay if the work feels needlessly hard. New staff aren’t just evaluating the job. They’re evaluating how it gets done.
If you’re asking how to retain staff in today’s nonprofit environment, look beyond just salaries and benefits. Look at the tools you’re giving them.
1. Talent Alignment
Younger accounting and finance professionals expect digital systems that make sense. When they spend their first week buried in paper approvals or fixing Excel errors, you’re already at risk of losing them.
At Action Group, payroll took days of manual corrections across systems that didn’t speak to each other. After switching to a modern ERP, they reclaimed hours of staff time and improved accuracy, without hiring extra help.
2. Work Satisfaction
Modern nonprofit accounting software reduces repetitive tasks and gives staff time to focus on real impact, like financial planning, grant reporting, and advising leadership.
3. Future Readiness
When your systems show you’re preparing for what’s ahead—and not clinging to the past—you send a message of stability. That matters, especially in sectors where funding is tight and priorities shift fast.
“It’s almost never the people—it’s the process and systems.”
— Andrew Horrow, Director of Finance, Fifth Avenue Committee
Instead of asking, “Can we afford to modernize?”
Ask: “Can we afford to lose great people?”
Because employee retention starts with making it easier for your team to do their jobs well.
You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Start with one area, like expense claims or approvals. Show your team you’re investing in their time, their work, and their success.
That’s how you keep them.
Retention starts with respect for your team’s time, talent, and what they’re here to do.
That respect shows up in the systems you choose.
Modernizing your nonprofit ERP or upgrading your accounting software isn’t just about keeping up with technology. It’s about showing your staff they matter enough to equip them well.
And you don’t have to figure it out alone.
We work with nonprofit finance teams every day. We know where the bottlenecks hide, how to spot the quick wins, and how to build a system that grows with you.
Let’s talk. We’ll help you take that first step—whether it’s automating one process or mapping out a full transformation.
Your team deserves tools that work as hard as they do.