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Financial Management

Good financial management is key to organisational sustainability. It will impact on decision-making across the organisation and as such should be integrated into all aspects of an organisation’s operations, from managing project budgets to gathering information for strategic decision-making.

This resource has been created to help organisations move towards having an integrated, strategic financial management function.


Explore information on:  

  • Financial Strategy – planning strategically and holistically to effectively manage financial resources.
  • Budgeting – why budget and how to do it.
  • Accounting – understanding financial statements and preparing accounts.
  • Audit – what to expect from an internal or external audit.
  • Full cost recovery – learn more about costing and full cost recovery.
  • Managing Resources – getting the most from the resources you have.
  • Investment – options for investing a charity’s reserves.
  • Risk – minimising financial risk and maximising opportunity.
  • Tax – an introduction of the main issues surrounding charities and taxation.

Browse all the financial mangement documents by topic area.

Financial management resources:

Join our financial management mailing list

These resources have been developed for:

  • Financial professionals leading or working in voluntary organisations.
  • Treasurers or trustees with responsibility for financial management.
  • Organisations which provide financial management services to the sector.
  • Project staff and other staff who need to understand finance.

To receive information about NCVO's forthcoming financial management events and resources: 

Please provide:

  • name
  • job title
  • phone number
  • email address
  • organisation name
  • organisation's postal address

Selected publications

Published in September 2005, this book covers topics such as: structuring the organisation for financial strength; budgeting; resource management; charity accounts and financial management and tax. NCVO members receive a 30% discount on the purchase of this publication.

This handbook outlines the role of the treasurer and how this contrasts with the role of the finance director. It seeks to help treasurers by defining their role, offering guidance on how this should be carries out and generally supporting them in the key role they play.

  • Download: The Guide to Financial Management from the Introductory Guide to Funding and Finance .(pdf 758kb)

This guide, produced by the Sustainable Funding project for the Finance Hub includes further information, tools and examples on financial techniques and processes. 

Updated August 2007

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