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.

• Guidance areas covered
• Finance management resources
• Join the Financial Management Mailing List
• Financial Management Annual Conference

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:

• Model Job Descriptions - Accountant, Internal Auditor, Finance Director, Treasurer, Financial Management Advisor.
• External support – Links to other organisations who provide financial management information.
• Financial management publications
  A range of NCVO publications that give practical advice on a range of financial management issues.
• Discount finance resources
  Special deals for voluntary organisations on a range of financial products and services.
• Local financial services near you
  An online database of all Community Accountancy Projects - find free advice and support near you.
• Ask us a finance question  
  If you don't find what you're looking for in our guides, why not ask us your finance question?

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: 

• email financialresources@ncvo-vol.org.uk  or
• call 020 7713 6161

Please provide:

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

Selected publications

• The Good Financial Management Guide for the Voluntary Sector

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.

• The Honorary Treasurer's Handbook

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. 

• See other NCVO Publications on Financial Management

Updated August 2007