01 | Introduction to Charity Finance

Join us for a 75-minute online session designed specifically for small charities, where we'll explore how to manage the finances so that we are compliant, resilient and leading with financial confidence. Finance doesn’t have to be a mystery. In fact, we have just three jobs:

• Getting on top of the recording so that we know what the numbers are
• Getting on top of the reporting so that we know what the numbers mean, and
• Getting on top of the financial decision making to lead with financial confidence

In this friendly and practical session, we introduce the finance cycle and how to record and report financial information for purposeful, resilient financial decision making. You don’t need to be a finance expert to build a financially resilient charity—you just need a clear understanding of the essentials.

What we’ll cover

• The finance cycle and the tools you need to stay on top of your numbers
• The financial reports that support good financial decision-making
• Why being in control, being intentional and being strategic matters
• Top tips and common pitfalls to avoid

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the core financial tasks for small charities and how to get on top of and stay on top of the recording, reporting, and decision-making
• Recognise what “good” financial management looks like for a small charity
• Identify actionable steps to improve financial resilience

What you can expect

• Clear and practical guidance tailored to small charities.
• Real-world examples and tools you can apply immediately.
• A supportive environment to ask questions and share experiences.

Who is this aimed at

Everyone who wants to understand what it means to lead and manage a financially compliant and resilient charity. 

02 | Introduction to Bookkeeping

We invite you to join us for a 75-minute online session designed specifically for small charities wanting to get on top of keeping good financial records. In the world of small charity finance, all roads lead to bookkeeping. It is the one of the key foundations of good financial management. Investing time in bookkeeping will ensure that your charity can keep track of grants and reserves, and prepare year-end accounts with (relative) ease.

During this session, we will review how to maintain a simple bookkeeping system in Excel and in an online accounting platform and what to consider when moving from one to the other. We will introduce essential financial concepts and guide you through key bookkeeping tasks. This session is ideal for anyone looking to establish and maintain financial records that are both compliant and actually useful.

What we’ll cover

• Basic bookkeeping terminology and two key finance reports
• Some of the key functions of bookkeeping and how to track grants and reserves
• The pros and cons of using an Excel cashbook v an online accounting system
• Top tips and common pitfalls to avoid

Learning Outcomes

• Understand basic bookkeeping terminology and tasks
• Be able to assess the best solution for a small charity
• Apply best practices for tracking grants and reserves

 What you can expect

• Clear and practical guidance tailored to small charities
• Real-world examples and tools you can apply immediately
• A supportive environment to ask questions and share experiences

Who is this aimed at

Everyone who wants to learn about the basics of small charity bookkeeping and financial record keeping. 

03 | Introduction to Budgeting

We invite you to join us for a 75-minute online session designed specifically for small charities wanting to plan effectively for the financial year ahead. We will introduce the fundamentals of budgeting and what to consider when putting together a budget that will lead us (with a fair wind) towards a more financially sustainable future.

This session will focus on how to create and manage a simple budget for your small charity, including how to handle a small number of restricted grants – on a full cost recovery basis - and track the impact on reserves. This session is perfect for leaders looking to build confidence in financial planning and strengthen their charity’s financial resilience.

What we'll cover

• Creating a simple budget tailored to a small charity with restricted grants
• Understanding how to capture the full cost of projects
• Understand how to budget for restricted and unrestricted income
• Practical tips for tracking budget performance and adjusting for changes

Learning Outcomes

·      Create a simple, practical budget tailored to a small charity’s needs

• Manage and allocate restricted vs. unrestricted funds appropriately
• Understand the link between budgeting and financial sustainability

What you can expect

• Clear and practical guidance tailored to small charities
• Real-world examples and tools you can apply immediately
• A supportive environment to ask questions and share experiences

Who is this aimed at

Everyone who wants to understand how to construct a simple annual operating budget for a small charity. 

04 | Introduction to Management Accounting

We invite you to join us for a 75-minute online session designed specifically for small charities wanting to prepare regular financial information to support their financial decision making.

We will introduce the what, the why and the how of management accounting. In this session, we’ll explain what management accounts are, why they are crucial for your charity’s financial resilience, and what a good set of management accounts might look like for a small organization.

You'll leave with a clearer understanding of how to use this regular finance report to make informed decisions, improve financial decision making, and support the sustainability of your charity.

What we'll cover

• What management accounts are and why they are important for small charities
• Key components of a good set of management accounts for a small charity
• How to use management accounts to make better financial decisions
• Top tips and common pitfalls to avoid

Learning Outcomes

·      Understand the key components of management accounts for small charities

• Use management accounts to make better financial decisions
• Recognise the importance of management accounts in supporting the financial resilience of their charity

What you can expect

• Clear and practical guidance tailored to small charities
• Real-world examples and tools you can apply immediately
• A supportive environment to ask questions and share experiences

 Who is this aimed at

Everyone who wants to understand how to consider how to prepare a simple monthly financial report to support financial decision making. 

05 | Introduction to Annual Accounting and Independent Examinations

We invite you to join us for a 75-minute online session designed specifically for small charities wanting to explore annual accounts and independent examinations.

We will explore when we need to prepare receipts and payments accounts and when we need to prepare accruals accounts - and the main differences between the two, we will introduce the Charities SORP and some very useful Charity Commission templates and we’ll also discuss what to look for when selecting an independent examiner. Perfect for those looking to gain a solid understanding of year-end financial reporting.

What we'll cover

• The difference between receipts and payments accounts and accruals accounts
• An introduction to Charity SORP and the Charity Commission templates
• Key considerations when choosing an independent examiner
• Top tips and common pitfalls to avoid

Learning Outcomes
 

• Understand what financial information Trustees need to prepare at year-end
• Be familiar with what charity accounts look like and know what to look for
• Know where to find Charity Commission example accounts, templates and guidance
• Understand what is involved in an independent examination and review what to consider when appointing an independent examiner

What you can expect

• Clear and practical guidance tailored to small charities
• Real-world examples and tools you can apply immediately
• A supportive environment to ask questions and share experiences

Who is this aimed at

Everyone who wants to understand what to prepare at year end and how to prepare for an independent examination. 

06 | An Introduction to Cashflow Forecasting

About

We warmly invite you to join us for a 75-minute online session designed specifically for small charities. We will look at what a cashflow forecast is, why it’s an essential small charity finance tool and how to prepare a simple cashflow forecast.

During this session, we'll introduce the importance of the "going concern" principle, and what to consider when things look concerning. A good budget will tell us how much is coming in and how much is going out. A cashflow forecast tells us whether the money coming in will come in time or not. A good cashflow forecast is essential in all small charities.

What we'll cover

• How to use a cashflow forecasting template to track income and expenses
• Understanding the "going concern" concept and its importance for your charity’s future
• What to do when cashflow issues arise and how to take corrective action
• Top tips and common pitfalls to avoid when managing cashflow

Learning Outcomes

• How to use a cashflow forecasting template to track income and expenses
• Understand the concept of "going concern" and its importance
• Take corrective action when facing cashflow issues and manage finances effectively
• Know where to look for guidance and support when facing financial difficulties

What you can expect

• Clear and practical guidance tailored to small charities
• Real-world examples and tools you can apply immediately
• A supportive environment to ask questions and share experiences

Who is this aimed at

Everyone who wants to understand why and how to manage a small charity’s cashflow.

07 | An Introduction to Reserves

We warmly invite you to join us for a 75-minute online session tailored specifically for small charities.

We will introduce the concept of reserves and explore why they are crucial for our financial resilience. We will cover what is required of us by the Charity Commission, how to calculate what we actually have, how to determine how much we need and what a good policy looks like. We’ll also discuss why reserves are essential for financial stability and what to do when building reserves is a challenge. This session is perfect for leaders looking to build longer term financial resilience.

What we'll cover

• How to calculate and set a target amount for your charity’s reserves
• How to write a clear and effective reserves policy for your organization
• Why reserves are key to charity resilience and what to do when you can’t build them
• Top tips and common pitfalls to avoid

Learning Outcomes

• Calculate an appropriate level of reserves for their charity
• Write a clear and effective reserves policy
• Understand why reserves are vital for financial resilience and explore options when building reserves isn't immediately possible

 What you can expect

• Clear and practical guidance tailored to small charities
• Real-world examples and tools you can apply immediately
• A supportive environment to ask questions and share experiences

Who is this aimed at

Everyone who wants to understand how to formulate a simple reserves policy and strengthen its financial resilience. 

08 | An Introduction to Financial Resilience

Join us for a 75-minute online session designed for leaders of small charities, where we’ll explore the concept of financial resilience. We’ll discuss practical ways in which we can build financial resilience even when the numbers are going the wrong way. We will review how forecasts, reserves, scenarios and indicators can really help us plan for the future even when things feel uncertain or financially challenging.

What we'll cover

• Understand what it means to be a financially resilient small charity
• How to use financial forecasts to anticipate future challenges and opportunities
• How to plan when things are uncertain and changeable

Learning Outcomes
 

• Understand the concept of financial resilience and how to manage financial uncertainty
• Use financial forecasts to anticipate and prepare for future challenges
• How to create a response plan to adapt to financial changes

What you can expect

• Clear and practical guidance tailored to small charities.
• Real-world examples and tools you can apply immediately.
• A supportive environment to ask questions and share experiences.
   

Who is this aimed at

Everyone who wants to understand what it means to be a financially resilient charity and how to manage short-term and longer-term financial uncertainty. 

09 | An Introduction to Trustee Finance Duties

We warmly invite you to join us for a 75-minute online session tailored specifically for Trustees and leaders of small charities. Being a Trustee is one of the most rewarding roles there is and while leading with financial confidence is one of our key jobs no-one comes to it fully formed.

In this session we will introduce the five core finance duties outlined in the Charity Commission’s guidance Managing Charity Finance. We will clarify our core finance duties, introduce key questions to ask and signpost to useful tools to help you build your financial confidence.

What we'll cover

• An overview of the five core finance duties for charity trustees
• How to build financial compliance and resilience within your charity
• Practical steps to effectively oversee financial management and mitigate risks

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the five core finance duties for charity trustees
• Know what questions to ask when assessing financial risk and compliance
• Know where to look for guidance and support when fulfilling finance duties

What you can expect

• Clear and practical guidance tailored to small charities
• Real-world examples and tools you can apply immediately
• A supportive environment to ask questions and share experiences

Who is this aimed at

All Trustees of small charities who are looking for an overview of their core finance duties. Also suitable for those supporting Trustees to fulfil their finance duties. 

Session leaders

These sessions are led by our experienced small charity finance professionals.

Programme materials

Session materials will be added to the relevant section after each session for you to download and keep.

The usual caveat

Please note that these sessions are not intended to replace proper professional support or advice. In all cases you will need to tailor these to your own organisation and you will need to revisit the primary guidance from the Charity Commission to satisfy yourself that these are what you need.