Future in Focus 2026: Excel Your Budgeting, Close, and Audit Readiness for Nonprofits

Presented by: Carl Seidman, CSP, CPA, Seidman Financial | 10:30AM – 12:30PM

We open the day with a hands-on, product neutral workshop focused on modern Excel in the context of nonprofit finance.

This session explores advanced Excel capabilities that support stronger budgeting, reporting, and audit readiness across grant driven and multi entity environments. Attendees will gain practical techniques to improve structure, clarity, and efficiency inside the Excel workbooks they rely on every day.

12:30PM – 1:00PM

Presented by: Rob Caluori, Westchester Library System | 1:00PM – 2:00PM

Hear from a nonprofit CFO about evolving budgeting, close, and audit processes in a connected finance environment.

This session examines how Excel and ERP data work together in practice, highlighting operational changes that improved visibility, strengthened controls, and streamlined reporting workflows. The discussion centers on lived experience, decision points, and measurable improvements across planning and compliance cycles.

Choose the sessions aligned to your ERP, with dedicated separate tracks for Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and Acumatica.

Session 1: Budgeting and Forecasting

Presented by: TBA | 2:00PM – 3:00PM

Session 2: Close and Audit Readiness

Presented by: TBA | 3:00PM – 4:00PM

Check back for more information…

Jim Norton is a licensed CPA and former nonprofit Controller and CFO who brings real-world finance leadership context to accounting technology. He began his career in public accounting performing nonprofit audits and Form 990 engagements, then moved into leadership roles where he owned month-end close, budgeting, audit readiness, and board reporting. Today, as a Senior Product Manager at Velixo, he applies that real-life perspective to help finance teams improve accuracy, efficiency, and confidence in their numbers. 

Jim is an experienced presenter, delivering sessions on advanced nonprofit accounting, reporting, and finance automation at major US conferences and industry events. He has presented at Sage Intacct Advantage, Sage Transform, and Sage Future, and he has contributed to partner office hours and webinars with practical deep dives and best practices for nonprofit finance teams.  

He has led and supported complex implementations and optimizations, spanning requirements discovery, solution design, data migration and validation, integrations, training, and partner enablement. His deepest platform experience is in Sage Intacct, including advanced configuration and customization, and he also brings working familiarity with the Acumatica and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central ecosystems through partner collaboration, enablement, and implementation support. 

Rob Caluori is driven by a deep passion for data, information, and analytics. He has been with the Westchester Library System for 18 years, serving as Chief Financial Officer since 2020 and previously as Director of Information Technology for a decade. In addition to his work in library leadership, Rob is a Senior Adjunct Instructor at Mercy University and an active community volunteer, serving as Treasurer for New York District 20 Little League, which supports 13 local leagues in Westchester County.

Rob holds degrees from Mercy University (B.S. in Information Systems and Technology), Pace University (M.S. in Information Systems), SUNY Albany (M.S. in Information Science), and Long Island University (A.C.S. in Public Library Administration). He is also a New York State Licensed Librarian.

Sharon Yun Chen is an accounting professional with over 12 years of experience specializing in nonprofit financial management and compliance. She serves as a Manager at NCheng LLP, where she focuses on financial reporting, internal controls, and advising mission-driven organizations. Known for her attention to detail and collaborative approach, Sharon is a trusted partner to clients navigating complex nonprofit operations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Baruch College and has built a strong foundation through prior roles in accounting and legal support. 

Beyond her professional work, Sharon is actively involved in her church community. She serves as a leader and mentor, supporting young professionals and couples in their personal and spiritual growth, and contributes to program planning, retreats, and community events. Her commitment to both her profession and community reflects her passion for service, leadership, and making a meaningful impact. 

Gabrielle Popack-Singh, CPA, is a seasoned accounting professional with over 14 years of experience serving clients in the not-for-profit sector. Gabrielle spent 6 years at KPMG LLP mastering auditing and compliance before devoting another 6 years at Schall & Ashenfarb, CPAs LLC exclusively to serving not-for-profit organizations. Gabrielle joined NCheng LLP in April 2024 and continues serving the not-for-profit sector.  

Gabrielle’s expertise extends to government auditing, including Charter Schools and audits subject to Uniform Guidance. Additionally, Gabrielle has prepared and reviewed Consolidated Fiscal Reports (CFR’s) and informational tax returns, such as IRS Form 990 and state filings. Gabrielle provides invaluable support and knowledge to both colleagues and clients. She conducts in-house training seminars on auditing, accounting, and not-for-profit reporting. Her commitment to continuous learning fosters a culture of professional growth within the organization. Gabrielle’s proficiency in evaluating business practices, internal controls, and governance allows her to pinpoint risks and opportunities within client processes. This not only streamlines operations but also enhances their effectiveness. Gabrielle earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance and Certified Public Accounting, along with a Master of Science in Certified Public Accounting, from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Gabrielle holds a CPA license and is a member of the AICPA and the New York State Society of CPAs.   

Teague Sanders is an ERP Data Analyst at Velixo, combining a background in economics accounting with 10 years of deep excel expertise. While his experience is mostly private accounting, he has experience in a wide range of industries including Residential New Construction and Assisted Living. This and experience in past implementations allow him to see the full life cycle of business reporting needs in both a for profit and not for profit landscape. 

Aaron Solomon is an ERP Data & Reporting Analyst with a strong background in finance, data analytics, and report building. He began his career building a foundation in financial analysis and data modelling, later expanding into roles focused on market research and consulting, where he supported data-driven decision-making and complex financial projects. Across these roles, he developed expertise in transforming raw data into clear, actionable insights. 

 Today at Velixo, Aaron works closely with stakeholders to design and deliver advanced reporting solutions, helping organizations improve accuracy, streamline processes, and gain better visibility into their financial and operational performance. 

 Aaron brings experience across the full data lifecycle, including data extraction, validation, modelling, and visualization, and collaborates with stakeholders to translate business needs into scalable solutions. Bilingual in English and French, he combines strong technical capabilities with clear communication to support effective, insight-driven decision-making. 

Pooria Forootan is the Director of Support & Services at Velixo, where he brings a passion for data and a practical approach to ERP reporting. He started his career in civil engineering before finding his footing in data and analytics, spending several years building solid expertise in reporting systems and financial data. 

Since joining Velixo, Pooria has grown from a data analyst into a leadership role, spending the past three years managing teams and driving customer success across support and services. He has extensive experience helping organizations design and optimize ERP reports that are both accurate and actionable, and has worked closely with many nonprofit organizations on reporting needs ranging from financial statements and grant budgets to general ledger reallocations. 

Known for his practical approach and his ability to connect technical solutions to real business needs, Pooria partners closely with clients to tackle complex reporting challenges and support better decision-making. His career reflects a steady focus on turning data into meaningful insights while leading teams that deliver reliable, high-impact solutions.