Baker Tilly provides scalable finance operations for a lean nonprofit foundation 

Client background

The Sacramento Mountains Foundation is a small nonprofit organization with very limited internal staffing. The foundation does not have a dedicated accounting or finance team and relies primarily on one internal contact to coordinate financial oversight. Baker Tilly’s relationship with the foundation originally began through tax services in prior years and later expanded to include ongoing accounting and advisory support as the organization sought a more scalable and comprehensive solution.

The foundation’s primary need was access to experienced accounting professionals without having to hire internally. As a growing organization with limited staff capacity, the foundation required dependable financial operations, timely reporting and ongoing guidance, all while remaining lean. Baker Tilly’s Accounting and Finance Services (AFS) model provided the ability to operate as a full back-office finance team, delivering both execution and expertise without increasing internal headcount.

Business challenge

The central challenge facing the Sacramento Mountains Foundation was not a breakdown in processes but rather scale and sustainability. With no internal finance staff, the organization needed a reliable partner to manage day-to-day accounting operations, maintain accuracy and consistency and provide continuity over time. The foundation also needed a solution that could easily adapt as its needs evolved, without creating additional administrative complexity.

Baker Tilly solution

Baker Tilly began the engagement by transitioning and stabilizing the foundation accounting environment through its AFS transitions team, ensuring clean setup and consistent processes before ongoing services began. Once transitioned, Baker Tilly assumed responsibility for recurring accounting operations and reporting.

The team provides monthly close, financial reporting and recurring review meetings, offering leadership clear visibility into financial performance. Baker Tilly also serves as a connection across service lines, bringing in Risk Advisory Services to provide high-level process and internal control recommendations and coordinating with the Tax team for Form 990 preparation. This approach allows the foundation to benefit from a broad range of expertise while working with a single advisor.

Results achieved

As a result, the Sacramento Mountains Foundation has been able to maintain lean operations while strengthening its finance function. The organization benefits from consistent, reliable accounting support and improved financial visibility without hiring additional staff. Baker Tilly functions as an integrated extension of the foundation team, providing stability, expertise and access to specialized services as needed. This scalable model allows the foundation to focus on its mission while relying on Baker Tilly for long-term.