How-To Guide

Before the First Grant Expense: Why Finance Should Be Involved Earlier

By Robbert Visscher / 07/01/2026 /

Grant reporting problems often begin before the first report is due. In nonprofits, social enterprises, and early-stage companies, they often start when teams bring finance into the grant process too late — after they have written the budget, secured the funding, and started spending. A simple grant-to-GL map can connect the funder’s budget to the accounting system, making reporting, audit support, and leadership oversight much easier.