Recommended Resources
OCTOBER 2011
Resources relating to this month's "How To" article: "How to Manage Project Finances" -
1. Gene Siciliano. 2003. Finance for Non-Financial Managers. McGraw-Hill Professional.
Although this book is business orientated, ii is useful to clear the confusion about financies, helping you to understand the information contained in essential financial reports and then showing you how to use that understanding to make informed, intelligent decisions. You will understand: Basic Financial Reports - All about balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and more; Cost Accounting - Methods to assess which products or services are most profitable to your firm, and why; and, Operational Planning and Budgeting - Ways to use financial knowledge to strengthen your company.
2. John Cammack. 2007. Building Capacity Through Financial Management: A Practical Guide. Oxfam Professional.
Much has been written about capacity building but little on how to use financial management to build capacity. Donors are increasingly requiring their non-profit beneficiaries to have sound financial systems before they will provide funds. This guide provides an overview of financial management and the practical tools that can help build the financial capacity of non-profit organisations. Using case studies to demonstrate good practice, this guide will offer practical advice in how to work with a partner organisation to build its financial capacity. It will also detail tools and techniques for using financial skills to improve organisational and programme management. The guide is intended for managers and trustees of non-profit organisations, providing tools and techniques for them to build their own financial system, and for those assessing another organisation's financial capacity.
3. Mango’s Finanical Management Health Check (latest version available in English, French, Chinese, Russian and Portuguese).
The Health Check is specifically designed for small and medium sized NGOs as a self assessment tool so that you can identify the areas where you need to improve. The Health Check can be run by any member of staff or a trustee. You do not need specialist financial skills to complete it. It includes explanations of each section and a glossary of the financial terms used. By the end of the Health Check you will be able to tell if the financial management in your NGO is healthy or sick – and whether you need to call a doctor!
4. New Book On Working with Street Children
A new book on street children, Working with Street Children: An Approach Explored, which has had the involvement of a number of 180 degrees members has been released.
See the link below to find out more:
