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This episode is a little different.

We’re stepping away from teaching and into a real conversation about what’s happening behind the scenes at Morning Star right now.

We’ve crossed 10,000 downloads this month (thank you — truly), and at the same time, we’re in the middle of a big season of growth. Conferences, governance work, complex client files… and now, a new event space that we’re building from the ground up.

And it’s not small.

We talk about what it actually looks like to take the next step in business — the risk, the responsibility, and the reality that growth doesn’t come wrapped in a neat, polished package.

We also get into the tension between business decisions and values. What it means to build something that’s financially sustainable, while still staying true to making space accessible for nonprofits, charities, and community.

This isn’t a how-to episode.

It’s a real one.

If you’re in a season where things feel big, messy, or uncertain — you’re not alone.

We’re right there too.

📬 Contact Us

Want support building systems that actually work for your organization?

🌐 Website
https://morningstarconsultant.com/
📧 Email
info@morningstarconsultant.com
📸 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/morningstarconsultive/
📘 Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/morningstarconsultive
🔗 LinkedIn (Company Page)

LinkedIn: Morning Star Consulting | LinkedIn

Check out Staci on Instagram @DefineYourFabulous

Support the show

This podcast is not associated with or endorsed by any company, employer or agency. By accessing this Podcast, you acknowledge that Morning Star makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered individual professional advice, nor is any guest or presenter speaking for any entity where they are not the sole proprietary.

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Year-end doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, reactive, or… slightly chaotic.

In this episode of How to Keep Your Day Job with the Morning Star Consultants, we walk through what it actually takes to prepare for a year-end audit in a way that is organized, intentional, and grounded in strong governance.

Using Morning Star’s Audit Preparation Checklist as a foundation, we break down what auditors are really looking for—and how to have it ready before they even ask.

We also dive into one of the most overlooked (but critical) pieces of the audit process:
👉 the Board and Management Questionnaire

This tool isn’t just paperwork—it’s a governance signal. It demonstrates oversight, accountability, and that your organization understands its roles and responsibilities at both the Board and operational levels.

We also unpack:

• The different types of audit and financial engagements (audit, review, compilation—and why they matter)
• How legislation and your governing Act shape your reporting obligations
• The connection between governance, compliance, and financial transparency
• Why a clean audit starts months before year-end—not at the last minute

This episode is for:
✔️ Executive Directors & CEOs
✔️ Board Members & Treasurers
✔️ Anyone responsible for financial oversight in a non-profit, charity, or association

If you’ve ever felt unsure about what auditors actually need—or how to show up prepared—this episode will help you move from scrambling to structured.

Key Takeaway

A strong audit isn’t just about numbers—it’s about governance, systems, and telling a clear, accountable story of your organization.

Note: if you are sharing any information with the auditor that is covered by privacy legislation, get consent first!

📬 Contact Us

Want support building systems that actually work for your organization?

🌐 Website
https://morningstarconsultant.com/
📧 Email
info@morningstarconsultant.com
📸 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/morningstarconsultive/
📘 Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/morningstarconsultive
🔗 LinkedIn (Company Page)

LinkedIn: Morning Star Consulting | LinkedIn

Support the show

This podcast is not associated with or endorsed by any company, employer or agency. By accessing this Podcast, you acknowledge that Morning Star makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered individual professional advice, nor is any guest or presenter speaking for any entity where they are not the sole proprietary.

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What’s the difference between an independent contractor and an employee?

Hint: it’s not what you write in the contract.

In this episode of How to Keep Your Day Job with the Morning Star Consultants, Lisa and Staci unpack one of the most misunderstood — and most expensive — mistakes organizations make: worker misclassification.

Because here’s the truth:
If you control their schedule, direct their work, supply their tools, and integrate them into your operations… calling them a “contractor” doesn’t magically make it so.

In this episode, we break down:

• The real test used to determine worker status
• Why invoices don’t equal independence
• The financial risks of getting it wrong
• Governance blind spots boards often miss
• How to structure working relationships properly

This conversation is practical, honest, and maybe just a little sarcastic — because sometimes the gap between what organizations say and what they do is… significant.

If you run a business, sit on a board, hire consultants, or think you’ve found a clever workaround to payroll obligations, this episode is for you.

Because in the end:

It’s not what you call them.
It’s how you treat them.

📬 Contact Us

Want support building systems that actually work for your organization?

🌐 Website
https://morningstarconsultant.com/
📧 Email
info@morningstarconsultant.com
📸 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/morningstarconsultive/
📘 Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/morningstarconsultive
🔗 LinkedIn (Company Page)

LinkedIn: Morning Star Consulting | LinkedIn

If you’re choosing to operate as an independent contractor, start with the right financial foundation — clear bookkeeping, tax planning, and compliance systems matter.

Morning Star collaborates with Ahmed Elsayed, founder of Right Solutions Inc., an accounting and tax services firm supporting small and medium-sized businesses, non-profits, and charities. Ahmed provides bookkeeping, payroll administration, and tax services with a strong compliance lens.

If you reach out, mention Morning Star to receive preferred pricing.

Contact Information

Right Solutions Inc. – Accounting & Tax Solutions
📧 ahmed@right-solutions.ca

📞 416-520-0544

Support the show

This podcast is not associated with or endorsed by any company, employer or agency. By accessing this Podcast, you acknowledge that Morning Star makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered individual professional advice, nor is any guest or presenter speaking for any entity where they are not the sole proprietary.