CASP CEU Center

Financial Management

CASP Organizational Guidelines: Chapter 5

Section: Business Operations

Format: PDF Download

Released: June 17, 2025

Chapter Overview:  

Many owners, executives, and managers of applied behavior analysis (ABA) service providers lack formal business training or experience operating an organization. Good instincts help, but it is crucial to understand strategic planning, financial management, risk analysis, recruitment and retention, marketing, and managed growth. Organizations must be financially sustainable to continue delivering great client outcomes.

Large organizations may designate an individual to operate the business; however, even when one individual is leading the business, every manager who makes decisions should have a basic understanding of financial principles, financial reports, and financial statements. 

This chapter introduces accounting and financial reporting for managers who are responsible for budgeting and/or budget monitoring. It is written for non-profit and for-profit organizations; therefore, identifying operational distinctions between for-profit and non-profit organizations can be helpful to understand differences in financial reporting and management. The distinctions can be categorized into several key areas: 

1. Mission and Goals 
2. Funding Sources 
3. Taxation 
4. Regulations and Oversight 
5. Financial Reporting

Successful managers in both for-profit and non-profit organizations must understand their role to monitor the organization’s finances. This chapter will occasionally make a distinction for illustration purposes, but the accounting and financial management recommendations apply to either type of organization regardless of organizational structure. Successful organizations ensure managers understand the importance of careful financial planning and monitoring as it relates to the organization’s for-profit or non-profit missions.