The Embrace Finance Academy x Trussell

Small Charity Finance Foundations Programme


What to expect


These sessions are aimed at anyone looking to build confidence in small charity finance. Sessions are aimed at smaller organisations with an income under £500k, but all are welcome.


Sessions are delivered by finance professionals who have spent all or most of their working lives in the charity sector and know the challenges of small charities well.


Sessions are 75 minutes long. The first 60 minutes are slides-based, followed by 15 minutes of Q and A. We encourage all and any questions. In finance, the only daft questions are the ones we don't ask.


It is our policy not to record these sessions as we find that recording live sessions inhibits discussion. However, most sessions have a pre-recorded short video covering the main points. All content will be available on the links below after each session.


The sessions have been designed to be an introductory level and we try hard not to use jargon - and to explain it clearly - when we have to.


We hope that you find these sessions useful and we look forward to seing you.

Introduction to Charity Finance

An overview of the key finance jobs of small charities.

60 minute slides. 15 minutes Q and A

26 March 2026 and 28 May 2026

12-13.15

Slidedeck Recording Checklist

Introduction to Budgeting

How to prepare a simple budget which builds longer term sustainability.

60 minute slides. 15 minutes Q and A

16 April 26

12-13.15

Slidedeck Recording

Introduction to Cashflow Forecasting

How to prepare a simple cashflow forecast and be confident we are a going concern. 

60 minute slides. 15 minutes Q and A

23 April 26

12-13.15

Content Recording

Introduction to Bookkeeping

How to maintain simple bookkeeping records which track grants and reserves in Excel. 

60 minute slides. 15 minutes Q and A

7 May 2026

12-13.15

Slidedeck Recording

Introduction to Management Accounting

How to prepare a simple monthly finance pack to keep on track.

60 minute slides. 15 minutes Q and A

4 June 2026

12-13.15

Content Recording

Introduction to Annual Accounts

How to read a set of annual accounts for a small charity.

60 minute slides . 15 minutes Q and A

11 June 2026

12-13.15

Slidedeck Recording

Introduction to Reserves

How to draft a simple risk-based reserves policy

60 minute slides. 15 minutes Q and A

25 June 2026

12-13.15

Slidedeck Slidedeck

Introduction to Financial Resilience

What is financial resilience and how do we navigate financial uncertainty?

60 minute slides. 15 minutes Q and A

9 July 2026

12-13.15

Slidedeck Slidedeck

Introduction to Trustee Finance Duties 

Where to start with Trustee finance duties and how to build financial confidence?

60 minute slides. 15 minutes Q and A

23 July 2026

12-13.15

Slidedeck