Building International NGO capacity through Financial Management

Overview

INTRODUCTION

The AfID workshop is a fun, informative and interactive day designed both for accountants looking to volunteer overseas and those considering a career move into the sector.

Join us in learning about the world of international development, the financial capacity needs of non-profits across the developing world and the vital role played by finance professionals.

WORKSHOP STRUCTURE

The day is very relaxed and is carefully designed to provide a detailed insight into the different challenges, stakeholders and environments you will encounter in the development sector; mixing real case studies and volunteer/employee feedback with John and Neil's wealth of experience.

Participants will be actively encouraged to participate in discussions and group work, as well as to ask questions applicable to their individual circumstances. John and Neil will draw on both theoretical and practical knowledge in order to make the experience and learning applicable to each attendee’s professional background, level of experience and future plans.

WORKSHOP PROGRAMME

8:15-8:30 - Registration, coffee & tea (available throughout the day)

9:00-11:30 - Morning Session

• Introductions and context
• Whistle-stop tour of non-government organisations and the not for profit sector
• What is the sector like? What are the challenges? What are our concerns? 
• Experiencing a new culture – the practicalities of living and working overseas
• Assessing and building financial capacity
• The role and impact of funders and core cost management

11:30-12:00 - Past Volunteer Presentation and Q&A

12:00-13:00 - Lunch Break

13:00-17:00 - Afternoon Session

• Tools for building financial capacity in grassroots NGOs
• The AfID reporting schedule
• “What if… ?” -  Bite size scenarios from the field
• Next steps, feedback and questions

AUDIENCE

The workshop is open to all and we welcome individuals of all levels of training & qualification; from AAT, PQ and finalists right through to Qualified, Fellows, Partners and retired accountants.

PRESENTERS

Each workshop is delivered by John Cammack, a very experienced independent consultant in the non-profit sector. John is a qualified CIPFA accountant, consultant and university lecturer. He has been involved with international development work for over 30 years, previously as Head of International Finance at Oxfam GB and then Senior Lecturer in Accounting & Financial Management at Oxford Brookes University.

Neil Jennings, the founder of Accounting for International Development, will also be in attendance to answer any volunteering, career or AfID partner related questions.

What you will learn

Following the workshop, you will be able to:

• Explain the role of financial management in NGOs internationally
• Identify practical techniques to review and strengthen NGOs financial management
• Understand the cultural differences when working overseas
• Understand the role of funders and ways to enable maximum use of the process
• Understand the role and value of accountants working in the sector
• Recognise how your own skills and experience can be applied to make a lasting difference