Fund Management Survey 2024 – Charities’ views

Charities, share your important opinions and help us build a robust picture of the charity investment landscape. Participate by Monday 30th September to receive the published survey report and have the chance to win a £100 John Lewis voucher.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2Z2SJHH

 

Finance for Trustees

20 November 2025

How confident are you that you really understand your charity’s finances? It’s a complicated business, what with managing different types of funds and income, the accounting and reporting rules, as well as dealing with tax and VAT. This course, lead by the team from leading accountancy firm BDO,  will give you the tools to get to grips with how all that works in your own organisation, and includes time to chat with fellow trustees over the practicalities and challenges you face.

This course will take place online via Zoom.

A £40 discount is available to Governance & Leadership subscribers. 

Speakers

  • Don Bawtree

    Don has been involved in charities and financial governance for over 30 years. Professionally he lead the BDO charities team before stepping down to act as a sector senior adviser with the firm. He has audited charities large and small, internationally and locally. He has carried out investigations and expert witness work, written extensively on charity finance, and run training courses like this. Personally he has been and/or is a volunteer, trustee, Audit Committee chair, and treasurer.

Programme

10.00am

Introductions and charity sector background

10.45am

Accounts

• What is a SORP?

• What’s unusual in charity accounting?

• How to understand charity accounts

11.30am

Refreshment break

12.15pm

Annual reporting – public benefit and reserves

• What should be in annual reports?

• Trustees’ responsibilities

12.45pm

Lunch break

1.30pm

Budgets & Financial information for trustees

• Essential elements of a good budget

• Importance of setting financial targets,

trend analysis, risk assessment etc

2.00pm

Tax

• A whistle stop tour for trustees of how tax affects charities

2.30pm

Audit and investments

• The role and responsibilities of the auditor

• The board’s relationship with the auditor

• Types of investments a charity can make

3.00pm

Refreshment break

3.15pm

Risk and fraud

• What do boards need to do about risk?

• Preventing and dealing with fraud

3.45pm

Q&A

4.00pm

End

Testimonials

 

Vicky Joynson

Governance Manager

World Vision

There was a high calibre of participants at the course and their willingness to interact both in the seminar and outside added to the day

James Slater

Trustee

Wycliffe College

A good blend of real expertise with informality which encouraged participation by delegates and made the event educational and enjoyable

Margaret Rose

Vice Chair Trustees

Urban Saints

An enjoyable day and a challenge to work towards excellence on behalf of my organisation

 

Prices

Governance & Leadership subscriber - £195
Standard rate - £235
Corporate Governance & Leadership subscriber- £300
Corporate delegate- £400
(prices exc VAT)

For group bookings email [email protected]

Delegate information

After booking your place on this course, you will receive the following correspondence:

1 week before the course – an e-mail with your joining information, this includes the course programme and presentation slides

1 day before the course – an e-mail with your final information, this includes the Zoom link, course programme and presentation slides

If you have any questions at all, please get in touch at [email protected]

Terms and conditions

Substitution and cancellation policy: On receipt of your booking form, your place is confirmed. Delegate substitutions are allowed. Up to and including 14 days prior to the event, a refund (less a 15% administration fee), or one complimentary transfer to another training date can be issued. Only one complimentary transfer can be issued, no refund will be issued for a cancelled transfer.  Once a transfer has been processed, refund for the original booking will not be issued. Refunds or transfers are not available less than 14 days before the event date. Confirmation of cancellations MUST be in writing and sent or faxed to Civil Society Media at 15 Prescott Place, London, SW4 6BS 020 7819 1200 (fax: 020 7819 1210).