The first-of-its-kind comprehensive financial reporting standard for nonprofits across the world – the International Non-Profit Accounting Standard (INPAS) – was published today, marking a major milestone for accountability and transparency in the nonprofit sector. This is being celebrated tomorrow at an event in Geneva.
Humentum, a global nonprofit and The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), have driven the development of INPAS for the past six years. The two organizations are the founding members of the newly created International Non-Profit Reporting Foundation (INPRF), which is publishing the standard. INPRF is a non-profit, public interest organization, established to develop and promote globally accepted financial reporting standards specifically for nonprofits.
INPAS provides a standalone, accrual-based framework that reflects the unique funding models and requirements of nonprofits, including guidance on narrative reporting, grant income recognition, and presenting information about restricted and unrestricted funds. It also includes a Practice Guide for harmonized grant reporting. The standard will dramatically improve consistency, comparability, and credibility in nonprofit financial reporting. The standard is freely available and can be downloaded from www.inprf.org.
Chris Proulx, Co-CEO of Humentum said: “The nonprofit sector effectively manages billions of dollars annually. This standard is a game changer – its adoption will ease the burden of multiple grant reports and audits, streamline due diligence, and will give funders even greater confidence in financial information. It paves the way for fairer funding, more effective partnerships, and a stronger, more resilient sector.”
CIPFA Chief Executive, Owen Mapley, said: “For the first time, nonprofits have an accounting standard built entirely around their operational realities. INPAS will help organisations demonstrate stewardship of resources, meet donor and public expectations and strengthen trust through transparent, comparable reporting.”
Ian Carruthers, Chief Executive of INPRF, said: “INPAS was only a gleam in the eye back in 2014 when 72% of respondents to an international survey from 179 countries agreed that it would be useful. Its development over the last 6 years through the IFR4NPO project has been a fantastic example of global co-creation for the sector by the sector. As the new CEO of INPRF which has been specifically created to provide its long-term home, I am delighted that we are finally able to publish this long-awaited ground-breaking guidance.”
This grassroots effort has received input from 358 organizations from 86 countries and engaged 15,000 individuals. The new standard draws on established international frameworks – including the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard, and relevant aspects of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
More than 90% of countries do not have standardized financial reporting for nonprofits. The next step is adoption by country governments and voluntarily by nonprofits and donors seeking a harmonized approach to nonprofit reporting.
Notes to editors:
- INPAS is the primary output of the IFR4NPO project, a global initiative to develop guidance for financial reporting by non-profit organizations.
- The standard covers recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure requirements tailored to nonprofit activities.
- Humentum and CIPFA have created the new International Non-Profit Reporting Foundation (INPRF) to provide a long-term home for INPAS to promote its uptake and future maintenance and development.
- Supporting resources, including Implementation Guidance and a Basis for Conclusions, are available from INPRF.
- For media inquiries, please contact press@cipfa.org or Amanda.hinkel-mauceri@humentum.org.
About INPRF:
INPRF, the International Non-Profit Reporting Foundation, has been created to provide the long-term home for the International Non-Profit Accounting Standard (INPAS), a first-of-its-kind comprehensive accounting framework. It will oversee the future development, adoption and maintenance of INPAS and any future standards, ensuring their ongoing relevance to non-profits, donors, regulators and the communities they serve.
About Humentum:
Humentum helps unlock effective nonprofit management. With over 300 learning offerings, a solutions-focused membership platform, and deep consulting experience in funding and finance; governance, compliance, and risk; and leadership and strategy, Humentum has strengthened thousands of NGOs, nonprofits, and their funders across the globe to become more resilient and sustainable.
About CIPFA:
CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, is the professional body for people in public finance and a registered charity. CIPFA shows the way in public finance globally, standing up for sound public financial management and good governance around the world as the leading commentator on managing and accounting for public money.