Nonprofit Payroll Compliance: How To Get It Right!

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Nonprofit payroll compliance strategies are no longer optional—they are essential for managing risk, retaining talent, and maintaining funder trust. In this learning session, Jeff Griffin of ADP and Dr. Stephanie Rose-Belcher of JMT Consulting walk through the most critical payroll issues nonprofit leaders must get right today.

From worker classification to grant-funded payroll tracking, the conversation highlights how payroll decisions impact everything from compliance exposure to financial transparency. As Jeff Griffin explains, “If you get this wrong, you're on the radar of some pretty important agencies—IRS, Department of Labor, EEOC.” Misclassification doesn’t just create regulatory risk—it affects fairness, tax obligations, and employee protections.

The discussion also explores how nonprofits can better align payroll systems with funding requirements. With increasing pressure from funders to demonstrate accountability, organizations must track time, allocate labor across grants, and generate accurate reports. A connected technology ecosystem becomes critical—not just for compliance, but for future funding conversations.

Another emerging strategy? Earned Wage Access (EWA). This innovative approach gives employees access to wages before payday, helping nonprofits improve retention without increasing compensation costs. As Stephanie Rose-Belcher notes, it’s a practical way to support mission-critical staff when budgets are tight.

Finally, the episode dives into how AI is transforming payroll operations. From identifying anomalies to providing real-time employee insights, AI is reducing manual work and enabling finance teams to focus on higher-level strategy. “We now give that back office professional the ability to be strategic in their time,” Stephanie shares.

This is a must-watch conversation for nonprofit executives, finance leaders, and operations teams looking to reduce risk, improve efficiency, and build stronger organizations through smarter payroll strategies.

00:00:00 Introduction to Nonprofit Payroll Risks
00:03:00 What ADP and JMT Bring to Nonprofit Finance
00:06:10 Worker Classification and Compliance Exposure
00:11:10 Grant Payroll Tracking and Transparency Challenges
00:15:00 Earned Wage Access and Employee Retention
00:19:25 Why Payroll Strategy Impacts Turnover
00:20:30 AI in Payroll: Detecting Errors and Anomalies
00:24:00 From Manual Tasks to Strategic Finance Leadership
00:27:10 Innovate Conference and Finance Leadership Trends
00:30:00 Final Takeaways for Nonprofit Leaders

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