Course Overview

This course helps NGO non-financial managers learn the key principles of good NGO financial management, how to manage financial resources more effectively, and how to integrate good financial management systems. After this course, you’ll be ready to apply best practices to your own NGO. The participants learn the principles and practices of strong NGO financial management without being a financial professional.

What will you learn

• Build and use effective budgets, such as project and donor budgets and cash flow forecasts
• Describe the key processes and methods used to keep accounting records
• Use financial reports to monitor project performance and identify actions to keep project finances on track
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of your financial management system
• Explain how internal controls protect NGO assets and minimize the risk and impact of fraud and errors

Who should attend

• Staff from small to medium-sized NGOs who are involved in program implementation and/or the management and control of financial resources
• Non-financial managers and officers who want to improve practice in financial planning, control, and reporting
• Finance officers interested in developing their financial management skills and knowledge to improve finance systems and support for program staff

Previous financial management experience or training is not a requirement for this course.

Duration – 2weeks

Agenda

Module 1

Kick-off with an overview of financial management.

• Foundations for Strong Financial Management
• What is financial management?
• Key financial management frameworks
• The finance manual
• Review activity: Finance health check

Module 2

The focus switches to accounting records, processes and tools.

• Accounting for Programs
• Why do we need accounting records?
• Accounting processes and tools
• The 3 Ps of procurement
• Review activity: Finance health check

Module 3

A close look at financial planning’s processes and tools.

• Financial Planning: Processes and Tools
• The financial planning process

Budgets and budgeting for program management

• Review activity: Finance health check

Module 4

Dive into practical budgeting and try creating your own mini-project budget.

• Practical Budgeting
• Activity-based budgeting
• Creating budget for funding partners
• Budget narratives
• Activity: Creating a mini project budget

Module 5

This module explores financial monitoring and reporting.

• Financial Monitoring and Reporting
• Financial monitoring and reporting tools in program management
• Reporting to funding agencies and partners
• Budget monitoring reports and variance analysis
• Activity: Analyzing a budget monitoring report
• Review activity: Finance health check

Module 6

The final module looks at internal risks and controls.

• Managing Internal Risks
• Safeguarding program assets with internal controls
• Responding to fraud and corrupt practices
• Review activity: Finance health check
• Reflection and action planning

Training Approach

This course is delivered by our seasoned trainers who have vast experience as expert professionals in the respective fields of practice. The course is taught through a mix of practical activities, theory, group works and case studies.

Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.

Certification

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs