Governance Support for Not-for-Profits

Practical governance help for real-world boards

Good governance is what keeps a not-for-profit steady, trusted, and ready for the next chapter – but most boards are busy volunteers juggling many roles. Our job is to make governance feel clearer, lighter, and more doable.

We work with charities, societies, and community organizations to strengthen boards, bylaws, policies, and oversight in ways that fit their size, resources, and realities on the ground.

Typical problems we help with

Many boards come to us feeling:

Unsure if bylaws, board structure, or minutes would stand up to funder or regulator scrutiny
Confused about where board roles end and management roles begin
Reactive and stressed about CRA, T3010s, or annual filings instead of working from a plan

If any of that sounds familiar, you are not alone – and it is exactly the space where we can help.

Our governance services

Board-friendly support that connects governance, finance, and compliance.

We offer governance services that can be combined or delivered as stand-alone engagements:

Governance health check & compliance review
A clear-eyed review of your bylaws, key policies, minutes, committee structure, and filings (T3010, annual society filings, etc.) to identify gaps, risks, and practical next steps.
Board roles, structure & bylaws modernization
Support to update bylaws, terms of reference, and committee charters so they align with legislation, fiduciary duties, and best practices around board composition, independence, and term limits – in plain language your board can actually use.
CRA charity compliance & governance controls
Help boards understand CRA expectations around charitable purposes, receipting, “own activities,” direction and control, and fundraising oversight – plus support to strengthen internal controls and documentation at the governance level.
Governance policies & risk framework
Draft or refresh key board-approved policies (e.g., conflict of interest, code of conduct, financial controls, reserve and investment policies, whistleblower, delegation of authority, board recruitment and evaluation) so expectations are clear and consistent.
Board education, orientation & retreats
Custom training on directors’ duties, CRA basics, reading financial statements, risk oversight, and effective meetings, along with facilitated governance retreats focused on strategy vs. operations and board culture.
Strategy & performance oversight support
Facilitation or support for strategic planning and translation into measurable objectives, dashboards, and board-level KPIs that connect finance, programs, and risk.
Special situations & corrective action
Guidance when there are CRA or corporate regulator issues (late filings, compliance findings, bylaw problems) or during mergers, dissolutions, and major restructurings.

What it’s like to work with us

Governance can feel intimidating; the people around your table are often there because they care, not because they are governance experts. You get a calm, supportive team that respects that.

Plain-language explanations, visual tools, and examples instead of dense memos.
A “no stupid questions” environment – questions are encouraged, and we move at your board’s pace.
A collaborative approach that works alongside your legal counsel where needed, not in competition.
Solutions that are rightsized – proportionate to your board’s size, volunteer capacity, and budget, not borrowed from large institutions.

Because our firm culture is genuinely family-oriented and values-driven, boards often tell us that governance work with us feels less like being judged and more like being guided.

Why work with a CPA firm on governance?

As a CPA firm deeply involved with audits, reviews, and advisory for not-for-profits, we sit at the intersection of governance, finance, and CRA compliance every day.

That means:

We can translate financial statements, budgets, and reserves into clear board oversight responsibilities.
We understand CRA hot spots (receipting, non-charitable activities, direction and control, fundraising costs) and help boards prioritize their oversight.
We can connect governance improvements directly to better financial reporting, risk management, and funder confidence.

Boards get both the governance lens and the numbers lens in one place.

Who we serve

Our governance work is designed for:

Registered charities and societies
Community service agencies and social service organizations
Member-based associations and faith-based organizations
Indigenous and rural community nonprofits
Foundations and fundraising organizations

If you are working hard to serve your community and want a stronger, clearer governance foundation under your mission, we would be glad to talk.

Let’s talk about your board’s needs

Whether you are worried about outdated bylaws, unclear roles, CRA compliance, or simply want a governance “health check,” a conversation can help clarify your priorities and next steps.

Reach out to our team to explore governance support that fits your organization, your board, and your capacity – and helps you lead with confidence.

Get in touch today to learn more about how we can help your business succeed.

+1 (250) 724-5717

info@andersonassociates.pro

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