Professional Ethics Shared Interest Group

🎙️ I'm pleased to share the latest Count Me in podcast episode: "Make Your Impact Count: Accountants Saving Nonprofits from Risk."

In this episode, Adam R. Larson, Barbara Uggen-Davis, and I had a thoughtful conversation about nonprofit board service and the important role accounting and finance professionals can play in strengthening governance, managing risk, and promoting accountability.

We explored the realities of board service-from understanding oversight responsibilities and identifying red flags to navigating ethical dilemmas and maintaining a healthy balance to avoid board burnout.

One point that continues to resonate with me is that our professional expertise carries a responsibility beyond the workplace. When accountants and finance professionals bring their knowledge, judgment, and ethical perspective to nonprofit boards, they can help strengthen organizations, protect their resources, and ultimately advance the missions they serve.

Board service can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with significant responsibility. Asking the right questions, understanding the role of the board, and having a genuine passion for the mission can make all the difference.

I hope you enjoy watching the episode and find the conversation insightful!

------------------------------
Tala Khalifeh CMA
------------------------------

Thanks Tala.. for sharing !

The point about professional expertise carrying responsibility beyond the workplace really resonates.
Accountants and finance professionals often underestimate just how rare their skill set is in the non-profit boardroom, yet it can be the difference between an organization that merely survives and one that truly thrives.

Some ideas that came to my mind while listening to the podcast and would love to hear from others:

1- If experienced accountants are the most valuable asset a non-profit board can have, why isn't board readiness being taught earlier in accounting education and professional development programs?

2- When a finance professional on a non-profit board identifies a red flag but faces board resistance, what does responsible stewardship actually look like - and where does professional obligation end?

Feel free to share your thoughts....

------------------------------
Zaheda D. CMA, CFE
Academic, UAE
------------------------------

Hi Zaheda,

These are both very valid and thought-provoking questions, especially when we consider the role finance professionals can play in strengthening non-profit governance and responsible stewardship.

In my opinion:

1-Accounting education focuses heavily on technical skills (such as financial reporting, auditing, and compliance) but not enough on governance and board responsibilities. Yet accountants are often the people best positioned to identify risks and protect an organization's resources. We should definitely start preparing accountants while they are still students to understand not only the numbers, but also their ethical responsibilities toward the organizations they serve, regardless of their level or position, and how to use their expertise to ask the right questions and contribute effectively, including at the board level.

2-Responsible stewardship means not staying silent. The finance professional should clearly raise the concern, support it with facts, ask questions, and make sure the issue is properly documented. If the board continues to ignore a serious risk or is not aligned with the organization's ethical values, the professional may need to escalate the matter through the appropriate governance channels. Your responsibility is not to control the board's decision, but to make sure the board is making an informed decision and that you have fulfilled your professional and ethical obligations. And when a serious ethical concern is not being addressed, it is important to recognize that there may come a point when you need to take further action-not only to protect the organization and the people it serves, but also to protect your own professional integrity and reputation.

------------------------------
Tala Khalifeh CMA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2026 12:43 PM
From: Zaheda Daruwala
Subject: New Podcast Episode: Make Your Impact Count: Accountants Saving Nonprofits from Risk

Thanks Tala.. for sharing !

The point about professional expertise carrying responsibility beyond the workplace really resonates.
Accountants and finance professionals often underestimate just how rare their skill set is in the non-profit boardroom, yet it can be the difference between an organization that merely survives and one that truly thrives.

Some ideas that came to my mind while listening to the podcast and would love to hear from others:

1- If experienced accountants are the most valuable asset a non-profit board can have, why isn't board readiness being taught earlier in accounting education and professional development programs?

2- When a finance professional on a non-profit board identifies a red flag but faces board resistance, what does responsible stewardship actually look like - and where does professional obligation end?

Feel free to share your thoughts....

------------------------------
Zaheda D. CMA, CFE
Academic, UAE
------------------------------

👍👍

------------------------------
Prakash Rajan
Global Board Director
IMA
Humble TX
United States
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-02-2026 04:39 AM
From: Tala Khalifeh
Subject: New Podcast Episode: Make Your Impact Count: Accountants Saving Nonprofits from Risk

Hi Zaheda,

These are both very valid and thought-provoking questions, especially when we consider the role finance professionals can play in strengthening non-profit governance and responsible stewardship.

In my opinion:

1-Accounting education focuses heavily on technical skills (such as financial reporting, auditing, and compliance) but not enough on governance and board responsibilities. Yet accountants are often the people best positioned to identify risks and protect an organization's resources. We should definitely start preparing accountants while they are still students to understand not only the numbers, but also their ethical responsibilities toward the organizations they serve, regardless of their level or position, and how to use their expertise to ask the right questions and contribute effectively, including at the board level.

2-Responsible stewardship means not staying silent. The finance professional should clearly raise the concern, support it with facts, ask questions, and make sure the issue is properly documented. If the board continues to ignore a serious risk or is not aligned with the organization's ethical values, the professional may need to escalate the matter through the appropriate governance channels. Your responsibility is not to control the board's decision, but to make sure the board is making an informed decision and that you have fulfilled your professional and ethical obligations. And when a serious ethical concern is not being addressed, it is important to recognize that there may come a point when you need to take further action-not only to protect the organization and the people it serves, but also to protect your own professional integrity and reputation.

------------------------------
Tala Khalifeh CMA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2026 12:43 PM
From: Zaheda Daruwala
Subject: New Podcast Episode: Make Your Impact Count: Accountants Saving Nonprofits from Risk

Thanks Tala.. for sharing !

The point about professional expertise carrying responsibility beyond the workplace really resonates.
Accountants and finance professionals often underestimate just how rare their skill set is in the non-profit boardroom, yet it can be the difference between an organization that merely survives and one that truly thrives.

Some ideas that came to my mind while listening to the podcast and would love to hear from others:

1- If experienced accountants are the most valuable asset a non-profit board can have, why isn't board readiness being taught earlier in accounting education and professional development programs?

2- When a finance professional on a non-profit board identifies a red flag but faces board resistance, what does responsible stewardship actually look like - and where does professional obligation end?

Feel free to share your thoughts....

------------------------------
Zaheda D. CMA, CFE
Academic, UAE
------------------------------

Very informative podcast! Thanks for Sharing :)

I particularly agree about asking questions instead of letting things slide, as I have seen the long-term effect it has on the Nonprofit's finances and how it gets ethically complicated with everything that is ignored.

Also as you mentioned, I like to always take into consideration how the donor would like their money spent and tracked in order to maintain the highest level of compliance and integrity.

------------------------------
Nour Fayad
Lebanon
------------------------------