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Better Reporting & Visibility: A Game-Changer for Nonprofits Migrating from Dynamics GP to Business Central

Selena Elledge

Sep 4 2025

3 min read

Nonprofits rely on timely, accurate data to tell their story, meet funder requirements, and make informed strategic decisions. But if you’re still using Microsoft Dynamics GP, chances are your nonprofit’s reporting process feels more like a workaround than a workflow. 

Outdated systems like GP often require manual data exports, disconnected spreadsheets, and significant staff time to generate even basic reports. As nonprofits face growing demands for transparency and operational efficiency, that model just doesn’t cut it anymore. 

Why Reporting Falls Short in GP 

Dynamics GP has served many nonprofits well over the years, but when it comes to modern reporting needs, it shows its age. Key limitations include: 

Fragmented data across modules and systems 
Limited real-time insights—reporting often happens after the fact 
Manual consolidation for multi-entity or fund-based reporting

Nonprofits need more than basic financials; they need visibility across funds, programs, and entities with the flexibility to drill down, pivot, and share information securely. 

What You Gain with Business Central 

By moving to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, nonprofits unlock a new level of visibility and reporting power. With a cloud-based foundation and native integration across the Microsoft ecosystem, Business Central enables: 

Real-time dashboards and financial visibility into fund balances, grant and department budgets, and program outcomes 
Seamless Excel and Power BI integration, with live data that doesn’t require re-exporting 
Stronger audit trails and internal controls, safeguarding assets and demonstrating compliance with funder and board requirements 
Improved multi-entity and multi-dimension reporting, giving finance teams the ability to slice and segment data however they need

Take It Further with Advanced Planning & Reporting 

For nonprofits that need deeper planning and reporting capabilities, advanced tools are available to extend Business Central and provide greater insight and control: 

Pre-built nonprofit templates, for board reporting, program budgeting, and fund forecasting 
Self-service access to reports and dashboards, so program managers don’t have to be dependent upon finance 
Comprehensive budget preparation, allowing program and department managers to collaborate with the finance team on the budget in one system with access to historical data, task management, and review and approval workflows 
Scenario modeling and forecasting, helping leaders respond confidently to changing funding or demand

Modern Reporting, Managed Support 

Sikich’s HeadSTART for Nonprofits implementation approach ensures your reporting needs are addressed from day one. We work with you to align chart of accounts structure, dimensions, and data sources to your reporting goals, not the other way around. 

And with managed services and ongoing support, you’ll never be left to untangle a reporting challenge alone. 

Better Visibility Starts with the Right System 

Upgrading to Business Central doesn’t just streamline your accounting, it empowers your organization with the visibility and confidence to lead with data. Whether you’re applying for grants, answering to a board, or trying to make faster decisions in uncertain times, better reporting makes all the difference. 

Let’s make reporting easier. 

Buried in spreadsheets or struggling to get the right data in front of the right people? We’ll work with you to understand your reporting needs and requirements and find a smarter, more efficient way forward.

Prefer dashboards? Love Excel? Want real-time visibility into fund balances or program performance? No matter how you want to view your data—or what you want to see—we’ll help you get there. 

Start a Reporting Strategy Session

This publication contains general information only and Sikich is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or any other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should you use it as a basis for any decision, action or omission that may affect you or your business. Before making any decision, taking any action or omitting an action that may affect you or your business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. In addition, this publication may contain certain content generated by an artificial intelligence (AI) language model. You acknowledge that Sikich shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by you or any person who relies on this publication.

About the Author

Selena Elledge

Selena is Senior Director of Nonprofit Services in Sikich's Technology practice specializing with accounting software for nonprofits. Selena assists clients in designing solutions and strategic planning during their transformation process. She values collaboration with clients to understand current processes and requirements, as well as to explore ideas for future functionality and efficiency enhancements, ensuring alignment with the appropriate solutions.