A nonprofit usually needs two different things from an accountant: the day-to-day accounting and annual tax filings, and — depending on its size, funders and state reporting obligations — an independent audit or review. Only a licensed CPA firm can perform an audit, and a firm that keeps your books generally should not also audit them.
So the right answer is often two firms, not one. We have marked which firms say they perform audits. We have not used any of them; everything below comes from their own websites.
How we chose
- Nonprofit work named on the firm's own site. Nonprofit accounting, Form 990 preparation or nonprofit audits — not just a list of industries.
- Near Easton. An office within roughly 25 miles of North Easton.
- Audit status stated plainly. Where a firm's audits are performed by a separate entity, we say which.
The firms
1.Murphy Accounting
Best for: Smaller nonprofits that need accounting and tax filings, not an audit
187 Washington Street, North Easton, MA 02356
We handle accounting and tax filings for Massachusetts nonprofits, with reporting prepared for your board's review cycle. We do not perform audits or other attestation work. If your organization needs an audit, the firms below marked as performing them are where to look — and we can work alongside your auditor.
- Nonprofit accounting and tax filings.
- No audit or attestation work.
2.Leonard, Mulherin & Greene
Best for: Nonprofits needing an audit, UFR or single audit
Braintree, MA
A Braintree CPA firm whose nonprofit practice lists financial-statement audits, Massachusetts UFR audits, Uniform Guidance single audits and benefit-plan audits. It names private schools, human-services agencies, associations, arts organizations and foundations among the sectors it serves.
- Performs audits, per its website.
3.Gray, Gray & Gray
Best for: Nonprofits that want outsourced accounting and audit from one relationship
Canton, MA
A Canton firm listing nonprofit audits, reviews and compilations, Form 990 preparation, and outsourced accounting and interim CFO support.
- Its website states that it is not itself a CPA firm, and that assurance, attest and audit services are provided by Frazier & Deeter, LLC.
4.LMHS
Best for: South Shore nonprofits needing an audit or review
Norwell and Hanover, MA
A CPA firm with offices in Norwell and Hanover listing audits, reviews, compilations and agreed-upon procedures, with nonprofits among the industries it serves.
- Performs audits, per its website.
5.Leahy, Cody & O'Donnell
Best for: Taunton-area nonprofits wanting tax preparation from a CPA firm
Taunton, MA
A Taunton CPA firm listing tax preparation for not-for-profit organizations, and audit, review and compilation work among its financial-reporting services.
Visit Leahy, Cody & O'Donnell’s website →6.Amichetti & Company
Best for: Nonprofits and churches needing Form 990 help
Norwood, MA
A Norwood CPA firm whose nonprofit page covers Form 990 and 990-T preparation, 501(c)(3) applications, and clergy housing-allowance documentation for churches. Its homepage lists audits, reviews and compilations.
Visit Amichetti & Company’s website →7.Joseph M. Carney, CPA
Best for: New nonprofits applying for tax-exempt status
Braintree, MA
A Braintree CPA practice whose nonprofit page covers Form 990 and 990-T filing and 501(c)(3) applications, with financial-statement reviews and compilations.
Visit Joseph M. Carney, CPA’s website →8.Cozby & Company
Best for: Plymouth-area nonprofits
Plymouth, MA
A Plymouth CPA firm listing audit, accounting and tax services, with nonprofits among the clients it names.
Visit Cozby & Company’s website →
Before you choose
- Find out whether you need an audit, a review, or neither. Your funders, your grant agreements and your Massachusetts filing obligations decide this — ask your board treasurer to check.
- Keep the audit separate from the bookkeeping. The firm that keeps the books should not audit them.
- Ask who prepares the Form 990 and the state filings, and when they need your year-end numbers.
- Ask for the fee basis in writing, including what happens if the books are not ready.
General information, not advice for your specific situation. Tax rules, prices and product features change, and firms change what they offer — check with the provider before relying on anything here, and talk to us or another qualified professional before acting on it.
