Get Started with Financial Edge NXT

Follow this step-by-step new user guide to get started using your database!

Welcome a'baud! Let's introduce you to the amazing resources at your fingertips now that you're live with Financial Edge NXT. We'll reference these throughout this Get Started Guide as we explore must-see resources for the topics we'll cover. For more information on how to use these resources, check out the Resource Guide on this page.

Customer Success Sessions

How-to Documentation

Blackbaud Community

Knowledgebase

Chat with Support

Blackbaud University instructor-led training (available through a Blackbaud Learn subscription)

Blackbaud University free eLearning

*Our Blackbaud University courses are organized into learning paths. Each recommended training will be linked to the full learning path. From there, you can view the suggested course.

This ten-step guide will get you ready to start using Financial Edge NXT to its fullest potential:

Step 1

Logging in, navigating your solution, and Blackbaud

The first thing you’ll need to do to harness the goodness of Financial Edge NXT is log in! One key to logging into Financial Edge NXT is setting up your Blackbaud ID, if you haven’t already done so. You’ll also want to familiarize yourself with how to become an admin, navigate your solution, and understand security in your Financial Edge NXT solution. Or perhaps, simply understand how to navigate Blackbaud.

Get Started
Get started using Financial Edge

How do I become a Solution Admin?

Basics of Financial Edge NXT

Take it to the NXT Level
After you get familiar with your new solution, learn how to manage security in Financial Edge NXT.

Security in Financial Edge NXT

How to Navigate Blackbaud

Step 2

Set Your Foundation with Fundamentals

We want you take a tour through Control Panel—the powerhouse area for all administrators.

Get Started

Module Overview (10 Minutes)

Control Panel Walkthrough

Basics of System Concepts

Take it to the NXT Level

Dig deeper into understanding business rules and configuration for Financial Edge NXT. Learn how to master lists and filters in your financial software.

Understand your system with Business Rules and Configuration

Find what you need with Lists and Filters

Step 3

Adding Team Members

Let's take a look at roles and permissions when inviting new users to your Financial Edge NXT solution. In addition to considering your user roles and permissions, it is also important for anyone using your accounting software to complete the Fundamentals training through Blackbaud University.

Get Started

How to set up roles and permissions
Invite employees to log in to Blackbaud.com
Invite new users to Financial Edge NXT

Take it to the NXT Level
Review all Blackbaud University Financial Edge NXT courses
Basics of Finance for nonprofit accounting as part of our Organizational Best Practices Learning Path.
Watch these quick demos for understanding basic tasks in Financial Edge NXT

Step 4

Introduce Yourself!

Take the opportunity to connect with your fellow Financial Edge NXT users. Introduce yourself Financial Edge NXT Community.

Get Started

Using your Blackbaud ID, login and join the Community

On the Discussions page, click "Add Topic" and introduce yourself or ask a question

Learn how to update your Community Settings on the help page

Step 5

Getting to Know the General Ledger

General Ledger is the backbone of Financial Edge NXT. Financial Edge NXT is at its root a subledger system, and as such, General Ledger is the link to everything.

Get Started

Basics of General Ledger

Basics of Accounts and Projects

Basics of Journal Entry

Take it to the NXT Level

Navigating the Basics of Chart Organizer

Copying Your Budget

How to Use Projects and Grants

Step 6

ABC’s of Records

Understanding the common record structure will help you build a foundational understanding and bring everything else together. Gaining expertise in records will also cut down on errors and unnecessary information clutter.

Get Started

Basics of Records

Creating Records

Fundamentals - Record Management

Take it to the NXT Level

General Ledger Records

Accounts Payable Records

Step 7

Payables

If you're an Accounts Payable user, learn the basics around Vendors, Invoice recording, and payment processing.

Get Started

Basics of Vendors and Invoices

All Things Invoices!

Checks and Payments

Step 8

Understanding Your Treasury

Now that we’ve learned the core concepts of Accounts Payable, let's dig into our banking needs. Treasury is where you’ll find your bank feeds, payment processing, bank reconciliations, and check creation/customization. Whether you’ll be in Treasury every day or once a month, these resources will be crucial in helping you and your users get a better grasp on how Treasury will impact your usage of Financial Edge NXT.

Get Started

Basics of Payment Processing

Getting Started in Bank Feeds

Understanding Bank Reconciliation

Take it to the NXT Level

Creating Checks in Financial Edge NXT

Setting Up Credit Card Feeds

Bank Feed Setup and Management

Download, Match, and Clear Transactions

Step 9

Analysis

Reports help you evaluate your financial position as well as understand your organization’s growth and progress. Learn the tools, processes, and best practices when it comes to report creation inside of Financial Edge NXT.

Get Started

Reporting in Financial Edge NXT

Basics of Reports

The Best Reports and When to Use Them

Take it to the NXT Level

Strike a Chord with Your Dashboard

Step 10

Putting It All Together

Now that we have built up the basics, let’s explore some additional modules like Expense Management, Fixed Assets, and Cash Receipts. Then, review some additional best practices to help you keep your system organized.

Get Started

Best Practices Throughout Your System

Basics of Expense Management

Take it to the NXT Level

Basics of Fixed Assets

Basics of Cash Receipts

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Resource Guide

On-Demand Webinars

These recorded webinars are created by the Blackbaud Customer Success team to walk you through the features and functions of Financial Edge NXT that you'll want to use the most, and how to use them effectively and efficiently.

Training

Blackbaud University training is here to help with step-by-step instruction of features and functions. Go at your own pace with free bite-sized eLearning, or if you have access to a Learn subscription, take a live instructor-led course with a sample database.

Knowledgebase

Use the Knowledgebase to find articles with step-by-step instructions on how to perform specific tasks in your database.

How-To Documentation

Refer to How-To Documents for information on features and functions, and how they can be best utilized.

Community

The Blackbaud Community is a great place to connect with others who use your Blackbaud solution. Ask questions or search the community for how your peers are using their database successfully.

Support

If you need help with technical issues or troubleshooting, chat with support to get things back on track.

Now available on-demand.

Watch now

“I wanted information that would not only help us find principal gift and major gift donors, but that would help us across our entire portfolio, including operating donors, low-level donor club, and planned giving society. We wanted to see movement across the board.”

—Audra Jesudason, Senior Director of Development Operations, Houston Zoo

Congratulations!

You've made it through the new-user guide to getting started with Financial Edge NXT. We hope this helped get to know your database better, as well as help you understand where to go when you need help!

What do I do now?

The Customer Success team offers an on-demand resource library as well as monthly live interactive sessions. We're here to help you continually optimize your workflows and help you tackle the busiest of times with seasonal topics.

Have a Blackbaud University Learn® training subscription? Explore the complete list of Financial Edge NXT courses for even more courses.

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People in 164 countries are raising billions for the causes they care about. See how you can, too!

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Lorem Ipsum

People in 164 countries are raising billions for the causes they care about. See how you can, too!

Learn more

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Lorem Ipsum

People in 164 countries are raising billions for the causes they care about. See how you can, too!

Learn more