Author
Dan Schmidt
Founder, EBCFO Services
Colorado Springs, Colorado
About Dan
Dan Schmidt founded EBCFO Services in 2009 to make financial data useful for the people who rely on it. He brings a background in audit and consulting to his work with nonprofits, focusing on financial systems design, management accounting, and software implementation. He has served on several nonprofit boards and lives in Colorado Springs.
Licenses & certifications
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Member, Colorado Society of CPAs (COCPA) (opens in a new tab)
FreshBooks Collaborative Accounting™ Certification
FreshBooks Accounting Partner Program · Issued October 2023
Sage Intacct Certified Accounting Consultant
Sage Intacct Software · Issued August 2020
Sage Intacct Certified Implementation Consultant
Sage Intacct Software · Issued August 2020
Education
Bachelor of Science, Accounting
Truman State University · 1996 – 2002
Experience
- 7 years in financial statement audit at a public accounting firm
- Consulting work for companies ranging from Fortune 50 to middle market
- Founded EBCFO Services in 2009
Areas of expertise
- Management accounting
- Nonprofit strategy
- Financial systems design
Speaking, webinars & podcasts
Know Why Your Firm Exists(opens in a new tab)
Consulting Rainmakers Podcast · October 2026
EBCFO Services webinar, co-presented with Nicole Segura of The Segura Strategy Group · October 2026
Member Spotlight presentation(opens in a new tab)
COCPA Independent Accountants Alliance · February 2025
EBCFO's Dan Schmidt(opens in a new tab)
Silicon Prairie News · June 2016
Episode 34(opens in a new tab)
Cloud Stories podcast with Heather Smith · January 2016
In the media
From numbers to narrative: How CPAs can tell stories with data(opens in a new tab)
Journal of Accountancy · February 2023
Featured in “The World’s Most Inspiring Accountants”
Book by Steve Pipe and Shane Lukas · 2016
Articles by Dan Schmidt
Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes: Common Errors in Nonprofit Financial Decision-Making
Is your nonprofit making financial decisions that look responsible but aren't? Learn six common errors and how to make context-driven choices instead.
Defining Financial Health for Nonprofits: What the Data Shows
Just like there’s no single set of optimal conditions for all species in nature, there’s no universal standard for financial health in the nonprofit world.
Measuring Success for Nonprofits: Outputs, Outcomes, and your Lodestar Metric
If you could track only one number to prove your nonprofit is succeeding, what would it be? Here's how to think through operational outputs, organizational outcomes, and finding your lodestar metric.
What Does a Nonprofit Controller Do — And Does Your Organization Need One?
A nonprofit controller ensures your financial data is accurate, your books are audit-ready, and your internal controls are working. Learn what the role covers and whether your organization needs one.
Nonprofit Accounting Basics: A Plain-English Guide for Nonprofit Leaders
Learn the fundamentals of nonprofit accounting: what you need to know, what you need to have in place, and what to watch out for as your organization grows.
The Complete Guide to Nonprofit Financial Reporting
With the right approach, you can turn your accounting operation into the engine of your nonprofit’s decision-making apparatus.
Social Enterprise for Nonprofits: A Guide to Earned Income
Nonprofits can learn a lot from the success of the social enterprise model — namely, that consumers are more than willing to support charitable causes with their hard-earned dollars.
Introducing EBCFO Services
We’re now EBCFO Services, LLC.
Why Nonprofits Struggle With Cash Flow (and 7 Ways to Fix It)
Cash flow problems typically stem from weak systems and unpredictable revenue. Strengthening your financial infrastructure helps stabilize operations and protect your mission.
How to Turn Financials Into a Leadership Story
Your numbers already tell a story. The question is whether anyone can hear it. From framing financials like a hero’s journey to connecting KPIs back to mission impact, this guide shows nonprofit leaders how to turn data into clarity, confidence, and momentum.