Adapting AI-Enhanced ERP: A Nonprofit Roadmap to Success
Presented by JMT Consulting
Featuring:
Buu-Linh Tran, CPA – SVP of Financial Solutions, JMT Consulting
Kevin Fryatt – Executive Vice President, Opportunity Finance Network
Introduction: Why Nonprofits Need AI in ERP
Nonprofits today face mounting challenges: disconnected financial systems, manual reporting, and limited staff capacity. Outdated tools slow down decision-making at the exact moment organizations need real-time insights for compliance, grants, and growth.
This session, led by JMT Consulting and featuring Kevin Fryatt of Opportunity Finance Network, explores how AI-enhanced ERP solutions like Sage Intacct help nonprofits:
- Automate manual financial processes
- Improve compliance and audit readiness
- Enable smarter, data-driven decision-making
- Support growth without adding headcount
What Barriers Do Nonprofits Face in ERP Adoption?
- Legacy Systems = Bottlenecks. Outdated ERPs and disconnected spreadsheets delay reporting.
- Staff Resistance = Change Barriers. Concerns about job security and new workflows slow adoption.
- Budget & Compliance Pressures. Tight resources mean nonprofits must choose scalable, cost-effective tools.
Kevin Fryatt emphasized that the biggest challenge isn’t always technology, it’s change management. Leaders must pace adoption and show staff how automation frees them to focus on higher-value work.
How Did Opportunity Finance Network Approach ERP Modernization?
At OFN, Fryatt’s finance team faced manual processes and limited reporting. Instead of chasing short-term fixes like AP automation, OFN:
- Prioritized the Core ERP First (Sage Intacct)
- Designed for Growth with affiliate and intercompany support
- Embedded System Expertise inside the finance team for sustainability
This sequencing avoided duplicate efforts and created a scalable foundation before adding third-party tools.
How Can AI Improve Nonprofit ERP Systems?
Modern ERP platforms like Sage Intacct with AI features empower nonprofits to:
- Detect anomalies automatically in journal entries
- Streamline allocations and approvals with one click
- Reduce manual data entry risks
- Provide real-time dashboards tailored to leadership and program teams
AI is not about replacing staff, it’s about shifting effort from repetitive tasks to strategic, mission-driven work.
What Best Practices Ensure a Smooth Implementation?
- Start with the Core ERP. Build stability before adding AP or budgeting tools.
- Quantify ROI. Show leadership the hours (and dollars) saved by automating allocations, reconciliations, and reporting.
- Stage the Rollout. Crawl → Walk → Run → Fly. Avoid overwhelming staff on day one.
- Engage All Stakeholders. Finance, IT, programs, and leadership must align on goals.
Ready to Modernize?
As Kevin Fryatt noted, systems often get blamed when projects fail—but the real issue is usually planning, sequencing, or change management. With the right approach, nonprofits can achieve efficiency, compliance, and long-term resilience.
If your finance team is still relying on manual processes, disconnected systems, or delayed reporting, it’s time to rethink your ERP strategy.
