Updating the executive pay picture on LI

Every year for the last eight, the Bohemia-based accounting firm Cerini & Associates has surveyed Long Island's nonprofit organizations to gauge trends. The ninth annual survey is going out now, and this year's is likely to spark more discussion on the controversial issue of executive compensation.

Managing partner Ken Cerini agrees the executive comp issue is important. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has ordered that no more than $199,000 in state funds should go to reimburse nonprofit and for-profit service providers for any executive compensation.

Cerini's 2011 survey found that "the most common salary paid . . . to an executive director is between $101,000 and $150,000."

"When you run a business you want effective leadership," Cerini said. "You want leaders who are going to be innovative, creative and forward-thinking. Why should the nonprofit sector be any different?"

Attracting those people, he said, requires competitive pay.