List of financial documents by topic

Our new finance resources organised by topic area - have a browse!

Finanical Management is an incredibly complex area and organisations should seek professional individual advice before taking action.

This information is intended as an overview. 

Here is a list of all the financial management documents by topic area:

• Managing Financial Resources
• Investment
• Risk
• Tax

Financial Strategy

How to develop your finance function
Overview of the changes occurring in the finance function, and how Finance Managers and voluntary organisations will have to change to respond to them.

Importance of financial planning
Why it's essential to do financial planning before preparing a budget.

Financial planning
Objectives, goals, action plans, mission, strategy, quality: what you need to know.

Mission - strategic goals and operational objectives
An example mission statement, and set of strategic goals and operational objectives.

Internal performance review
The internal review will identify weakness as well as untapped strengths that should lead to more effective strategic planning.

Financial management role of trustee boards
Details on: the financial management functions of the board; who comprises the financial team; and differences from the commercial sector.

What is a conflict of interest?
Introduction to different sorts of conflicts of interest and how to spot them.

Sample conflict of interest form
Trustees are required to declare any outside interests that may conflict with their trustee work.

Financial monitoring
Activities and motivations that typify financial monitoring.

Financial benchmarking
A framework for financial performance monitoring, including case studies.

Financial procedures
Procedures designed to ensure the propriety and efficiency of the organisation's activities.

Financial management procedures
Procedures that would help towards creating and efficient and economical organisation.

Sample contents of financial procedures manual
The procedures manual is useful for establishing controls as well as laying out trustees financial responsibilities.

Financial governance framework checklist
12-point checklist for creating a financial governance framework. 

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Budgeting

What is a budget?
A budget is a way of allocating and maximising the use of resources. It's also a financial representation of the organisation's mission and strategic goals.

Why budget?
Additional benefits to be gained from developing a budget.

Budget planning
Specific policy decisions to be made before a budget is developed.

Zero and incremental budgeting
The difference between zero and incremental budgeting: the pros and cons of each.

Static and evolving budgets
Discussion on the advantages and disadvantages to having a fixed budget or a "living" budget.

Model income and expenditure budget
Sample budget showing income and expenditure, with explanation.

Budget review checklist
Everything you need to know for preparing a budget.

Model cash flow forecast
Example of a six-month cash flow forecast, including explanation and interpretation.

How to prepare a financial forecast
Factors to take into consideration in order to prepare a financial forecast.

Forecasting expenditure
Be aware of unexpected costs and ways to cut costs generally.

Forecasting investment income
An analysis of investment income.

Forecasting earned income and service delivery fees
Predicting earned income.

Forecasting voluntary income: donations and membership
How to predict voluntary income and external factors that are likely to affect it.

Working capital management
Holding too much working capital is inefficient, holding too little is dangerous to the organisation's survival.

Stock control
Procedures for managing large amounts of stock, ensuring that there are always sufficient stocks of crucial supplies.

Debtor control: invoicing and collection
It is better to have cash in your bank account than a customers'! Here are tips on monitoring and controlling debtor levels and securing payment on your terms.

Cash flow management
How to ensure there is enough cash to meet day-to-day needs without having too much sitting in the current account.

Creditor control
Advice on managing your financial relationship with suppliers.

Controls on income and debtors
Procedures to minimise risks associated from income generation, including cash taken and cheques received.

Petty cash
You should take extra care with small amounts of cash - here is advice on policy and procedures.

Debtor control: bad debt
Advice on minimising and managing bad debts.

Controls on expenditure
Managing risks associated with purchases, payroll, cheques and bank reconciliation.

Controls on fixed assets
Managing risks associated with fixed assets.

Financial difficulties: how to recognise and avoid
How to spot and steer clear of imminent financial crises.

Financial difficulties: managing a crisis
Dealing with income shortfall, restructuring and refinancing.

Financial difficulties: facing insolvency
Two tests for insolvency - if you suspect your organisation is insolvent, you should seek professional advice.

Finance and accounting software packages
Choosing and implementing finance computer applications that suit voluntary organisations.

List of finance and accounting packages
A list of some of many finance applications aimed at the voluntary sector. 

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Accounting

Understanding financial statements
Overview of the accounting methods which underlie financial statements.

Accounting policy: cash or accrual?
Assessing the merits of two types of accounting system.

Financial health check
This document will help non-accountant trustees or chief executives who need to understand their organisation's financial health. Read it in conjunction with the latest set of published accounts.

Making management accounts effective tools
Ways to make management accounts more accessible.

Developing spreadsheets to implement budgetary controls
Effective use of spreadsheets for preparing management accounts.

Understanding SORP
The basic framework of the Statement of Recommended Practice.

SORP and SOFA
Management accounts versus Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP)? The Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) is one of the chief recommendations of SORP. 

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Audit

What is an audit?
Do you need an external audit? How do you make the best use of it? Find answers here.

Working with auditors
Advice on preparing for auditors, including a checklist of materials you may need to make available and managing disputes.

Audit committee: model terms of reference
A sample terms of reference for charity audit committee.

Internal audit
An internal audit is a useful tool for reviewing your internal controls - find out how to run one.

How to find an internal auditor
If you need an internal audit, but cannot afford to employ one in-house, there are other options you can try.

Role of external auditors
How the external auditor's findings can help strengthen the accounting system.

What is an Independent Examination?
Introduction to Independent Examinations.

Using an Independent Examiner to scrutinise accounts
Who can benefit from Independent Examinations and how to set them up.

Becoming Independent Examiner
Information on what is involved in carrying out an Independent Examination.

Prepare for Charity Commission visits
The Charity Commission assesses organisations' activities against the best practice framework outlined in 'Hallmarks of a Well-run Charity' - find out what to expect.

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Managing Financial Resources

Investment

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Risk

Tax

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For further information, our freephone helpdesk offers advice and support to NCVO members.

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