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7 Benefits of Native Accounting in Membership Software

Discover 7 benefits of native accounting in membership software, from boosting data accuracy to streamlining processes for associations, unions, and non-profits.


Managing finances for associations, unions, and non-profits shouldn’t feel like running a marathon with no finish line. Yet, when your accounting system and membership software aren’t speaking the same language, that’s exactly how it can feel—slow, disjointed, and exhausting.

The data you use to make important business decisions is one of your most important assets. And when you have seamless integration between your:

  • Accounting
  • Membership management system
  • Website

... you can gain a clear, 360° view of your membership.

 

Here are seven ways native accounting in membership software can make a difference for your organization.

Free Membership Accounting Guide

Smarter Billing: Leveraging Native Accounting for Membership Success

This guide will help you identify risk factors of your current systems. You'll also get insider info on the 9 must-have accounting features for associations, unions, and non-profits.

 

7 Benefits of Native Accounting in Your Membership Management Platform

7 benefits of native accounting in membership management software: single source of truht, data accuracy, real-time insights, member convenience, accurate billing, reporting, time and cost savings.

Find more details and tips in our free guide, Smarter Billing: Leveraging Native Accounting for Membership Success

 

1. Single Source of Truth (SSoT)

A Single Source of Truth brings all interactions with your members, donors, and supporters together in one database:

Badge ID icon

Joins

Cycle icon

Renewals

Shopping cart icon

Purchases

Calendar icon

Event registrations

Receipt

Publications

Icon - hand with star above it

Donations

Online learning icon

Professional education

Sparkle

And more...

 

It also integrates your data with your website and accounting system. So you have a complete 360° view of your membership base, and how they interact with your association, union, or non-profit.

A Single Source of Truth (SSoT) is vital for associations, unions and non-profits of all sizes and types. It eliminates discrepancies that often arise from using multiple, disparate accounting systems.

Free Membership Guide

It's Not You, It's Your Data Silos

Our free educational guide highlights how a SSoT is the key to trusting your member data. Plus the 6 ways data silos are frustrating your members right now — and what to do about them.

 

 

2. Data Accuracy & Integrity

Data accuracy and integrity form the backbone of any successful association, union, or non-profit.

One core system that brings member, financial, and engagement data together. It also ensures you have accurate, real-time data you need and minimizes errors and omissions that frustrate members.

Without native accounting:

An association might have to manually enter or sync data between separate membership and accounting systems.

This brings a high risk of error (like duplicate entries or missed updates) that lead to incorrect billing or financial reports.

With native accounting:

Every financial transaction, member payment, or dues adjustment is automatically recorded and reflected across the entire system.

This real-time accuracy ensures that financial records are always up-to-date, comprehensive, and reliable. This reduces the chances of billing errors, which improves financial reporting and increases trust in the organization’s data. Association accounting simplified.

 

 

3. Real-Time Financial Insights

Membership management software with integrated accounting provides up-to-the-minute financial insights to generate comprehensive financial reports, ensure accurate billing, and monitor revenue.

Rather than pulling numbers from multiple spots, you can create dynamic dashboards to share with staff and stakeholders.

"With an SSOT [Single Source of Truth] approach, team members no longer have to pull data from multiple sources to build reports. Analysts and stakeholders spend less time collecting data and more time finding new insights and drawing conclusions."

Source: HubSpot

 

 

 

4. Member Convenience

Member convenience is a key factor in maintaining high levels of member satisfaction and engagement. With integrated member management, website, and native accounting functionalities, members can access self-service options at their convenience.

Because all of your member data is talking to each other, your members can do this all in one simple transaction:

  • Register for a conference
  • Buy a product
  • Adjust quantities
  • Take advantage of discounts
  • Add, remove, or adjust their dues/membership fees

These self-service options allow members to access their account whenever and however it is most convenient for them. It also reduces the workload on your administrative staff.

Man on phone

 

5. Accurate Billing & Dues Management

The right membership management software can automate member billing and the dues management process. You bill members accurately and on time. Plus auto reminders/notifications increase timely collection rates, reducing the risk of missed payments.

Bonus: personalized pricing. With your member data, accounting, and website integrated, you can manage sophisticated billing and pricing scenarios. Members benefit from the personalization while your staff benefits from the automation and in-depth reporting.

 

6. Robust Reporting & Compliance

Compliance and detailed reporting are non-negotiable aspects of running a successful association, union, or non-profit.

Built-in accounting provides for detailed reporting that results in more confident decision-making. Processes are streamlined and improved — ensuring your organization easily meets any compliance requirements.

"To stay on top of commercial performance every step of the way, growth champions take full advantage of data-driven commercial performance dashboards to more dynamically set potential-oriented targets, monitor progress on a more granular level"

Source: McKinsey & Company

 

 

 

7. Time & Cost Savings

One of the most compelling benefits of native accounting is the significant time and cost savings it offers.

By automating your financial processes, your organization will save time and increase efficiency. Reconciliations and month-end closings are painless. Your staff is free from manual processes, clearing the way for them to focus on more important tasks.

This automation not only reduces operational costs but also minimizes the risk of human error, ensuring more efficient and effective organizational management.

Coins icon

72% of associations

reported that operational cost increases will be a top challenge this year.

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58% of associations

are looking to streamline internal processes.

From the 2024 Association Economic Outlook Report from Marketing General Inc.

 

The Bottom Line

With native accounting in your membership management software, you can:

  • Streamline your processes
  • Reduce the burden of manual data entry
  • Minimize errors
  • Deliver a better member experience

 

3-Minute Product Tour

iMIS is purpose-built for the way associations, unions, and non-profits work.

The cloud-based Engagement Management System puts you ahead with advanced accounting, a single data source, robust analytics, and engagement scoring.

See how iMIS easily handles your billing & pricing structures and provides a complete picture of your finances.

 

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