2016 Review of OneNFP Financials

• Scalable – available in three versions
• Strong grant management capability
• Excellent integration with Microsoft products
• Offers an solid optional fundraising module

POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS

• May be costly for organizations with multiple users
• Significant system training may be required for some organizations

A good fit for small to mid-sized nonprofits that need to manage multiple grants or other funds, OneNFP Financials Lite is available for $99.00 per month for a single user. The Standard version begins at $149.00, and the Premium version is available for $349.00 per month. Additional users are $49.00 each per month, and limited users are$10.00 per user per month. OneNFP Fundraising currently runs $45.00 per month. For nonprofits managing multiple funds or grants that need remote access, this spin-off of Serenic Software may be a good fit.

BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS: 4.75 Stars

OneNFP Financials is only offered as a cloud-based product. Most system navigation takes place from the dashboard, which offers a list of system activities, a welcome video, and a setup wizard to assist new users, and the knowledge center, as well as tabs providing access to other system functions.  Built using Microsoft Dynamics, the system offers navigation similar to other Microsoft products, with a ribbon-style navigation bar at the top of the user entry screens.

The main functional areas of OneNFP Financials include Allocations, BudgetVision, Core Financials, Fixed Assets, Financial Reporting, Grant Management, Purchase Orders, and Workflow with Approvals. The product is designed to seamlessly integrate with OneNFP Fundraising, which handles all donor and gift management. Available in two versions; Lite, and Standard, Lite users can later migrate to the more robust version that includes Batch Allocations, Time and Expense, and Workflows.

CORE NFP/FUND ACCOUNTING CAPABILITIES: 5 Stars

OneNFP Financials users a standard account structure, with users able to create both default cost centers and unique program codes, allowing for easy tracking of multiple program or grant funds. Users can utilize up to 8 separate dimensions when creating a new account. The Core Financials feature allows users to easily enter multiple transaction types including invoice entry, payment posting, accounts receivable aging, bank reconciliation, or general journal entries. The Basic Budget Rule Card allows users to create a rule specific to an account.

Separate budgets can be created for each specific project or fund entered into the system, including grants or other user-defined funds. Users can opt to include year to date actuals in any budgets, as well as any other commitments such as grant management that will need to be monitored on a regular basis. The optional OneNFP Fundraising module provides users with complete CRM capability, including the ability to easily manage all donor communications, log all communications, attach relevant files to donor records, log telephone calls, and continue to cultivate relationships.

Donor pledges can also be managed, and a volunteer management feature allows nonprofit that utilize volunteers to manage volunteer activity and hours worked.

Users can easily manage all grant related activities in OneNFP Financials. Budgets can be created for each grant entered into the system, making it easy to manage all expenditures accordingly. Automatic fund-balancing capability is available in the product, and users can easily define an appropriate fiscal year for each fund of cost center entered, so multiple year end closings for each fund are possible. The product offers excellent audit trail functionality, with the ability to monitor and track detailed data at any point.  

100 percent cloud-based, OneNFP Financials contains a wide variety of automated features, including the ability to email invoices and statements directly to donors. Users can easily make or accept e-payments, and the bank reconciliation feature is fully automated, connecting to just about any financial institution to quickly process statements monthly.  

MANAGEMENT FEATURES: 5 Stars

One of the best features in OneNFP Financials is the Role Centers, which are fully customizable, displaying the features and functionality found within each particular role. A series of options relating to each particular defined role is found to the left of the screen. Immediately to the right are key performance indicators that provide users with the data particularly relevant to their specific role. The My Reports function offers a list of frequently processed reports for quick, easy access. Users can be assigned access to specific areas according to their role, or have access to the entire system, with permissions assigned through the User Card. Those with limited posting capability will be able to have access to reporting functionality.

Users can create a budget rule that will notify them when expenses are threatening to exceed current budgeted numbers. Collections activities are easily handled in the product, with the ability to add late fees or finance charges when necessary. Using the optional OneNFP Fundraising module, users can track all fundraising activity, while easily handling the donor cultivation process as well. The ability to attach related documents to just about any file makes it easy to manage documents, while creating a single location to access grant, donor, and fund activity quickly.  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & REPORTING: 5 Stars

One NFP Financials offers a solid selection of pre-defined reports. Users also have the option to use Jet Reports, a business intelligence and reporting tool built specifically for Microsoft Dynamics. Numerous standard reports are available in the product including nonprofit specifically reporting capability, as well as standard general ledger reports such as trial balance, fixed assets, and balance sheet reports.

All reports are easily managed in the My Reports option, where frequently used reports can be saved and quickly accessed at any time. Users can choose to customize reports using either Excel or Jet Reports, or opt to export reporting data to PowerPivot, an Excel add-in that allows users to create data models and related calculations. All reports can be printed on screen, saved, or emailed directly to recipients.

INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT: 4.75 Stars

OneNFP Financials is a fully integrated system – offering seamless integration between the core product, OneNFP Fundraising, and Microsoft Office 365, which includes all Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Publisher, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as Jet Reports.

HELP/SUPPORT: 4.5 Stars

OneNFP Financials offers excellent help functionality, with role centers offering Welcome videos, a setup wizard, and a comprehensive knowledge center, where uses can obtain instructions on product implementation, account setup, and other basic information. Product support is available via email and telephone. There are also numerous YouTube videos available as well.

SUMMARY & PRICING

A good fit for small to mid-sized nonprofits that need to manage multiple grants or other funds, OneNFP Financials Lite is available for $99.00 per month for a single user. The Standard version begins at $149.00, and the Premium version is available for $349.00 per month. Additional users are $49.00 each per month, and limited users are$10.00 per user per month. OneNFP Fundraising currently runs $45.00 per month. For nonprofits managing multiple funds or grants that need remote access, this spin-off of Serenic Software may be a good fit.

2016 Overall Rating: 4.75 Stars