Financial mismanagement can ruin an organisation, result in fines and obliterate trust. Good financial management is essential for ensuring that legal requirements are met in relation to charity and company law. However, it is not the sole responsibility of the treasurer; ALL committee members/trustees are accountable.

Whatever the size of your organisation, sound financial management is essential for development and sustainability. Rather than the finance being seen as a separate function that involves just doing the book-keeping, it should be integrated within, and add value to your organisations fundraising and overall activities.

This organisational finance for voluntary and community groups course is aimed at potential or current committee members or trustees within the voluntary and community sector. The skills and understanding developed will help you to understand why transparent financial management is beneficial to the organisation and wider community.

Module 1 - Understand what is meant by financial management  - In this module you will look at key documents, a finance policy, cheque signatories, governing documents, budgets, annual accounts, annual returns and financial records.

Module 2 - Understand budgets and their purpose - In this module you will look budgets, expenditure, income, full cost recovery, what can go wrong and budget benefits.

Module 3 - Generating income - In this module you will look at types of income, gift aid, trading and reporting on income.

Module 4 - Where to find funding and support - In this module you will look at funding opportunities, databases and support agencies.

Module 5 - Internal financial controls - In this module you will look at types of financial controls, finance policy and internal controls recap.

Module 6 - Key features of book-keeping - In this module you will look at book-keeping, accounts, cash book and bank reconciliation, petty cash and reporting requirements.

Module 7 - Trustee responsibilities – charity requirements - In this module you will look at charity requirements, becoming a charity, charitable incorporated organisations, types and formats of accounts, SORP and SOFA.

Module 8 - Trustee requirements – registered companies - In this module you will look at  CIC ‘v’ CLG, reporting to Companies House, tax and CIC’s.

Module 9 - Accurate financial planning and recording - In this module you will look at financial management, financial rules, policies and procedures, financial planning, keeping records, annual accounts and a financial health check.