Financial management

Money makes the world go around, and well over $25 billion dollars will be spent this year in humanitarian response. Sound financial management, hence, is a precondition for aid to save lives. Financial management involves financial planning and budgeting, relationships with private and institutional donors, cash flow, appropriate financial staffing and systems, and robust control measures. Across the sector, financial management must adapt to different national administrative regulations, the differences between HQ and the field or project versus overhead costs, and an inherent degree of long-term uncertainty in agency finances.

Financial newspaper with charts and figures

Photo: Andreas Poike

Key references

Handbook providing practical advice and tools to help strengthen financial management and to plan, improve, optimize the usage of resources in NGOs

Guide introducing all areas of financial management, covering issues such as the accounting system, budgeting, financial reporting, staff administration, and audits, and providing case studies

Guide on how to plan and monitor a budget, prepare a cash flow forecast, and produce documents at year end

Tools for the job

Checklists and templates for financial management for emergency response

Information tools

UK-based knowledge platform providing advice and support for nonprofit organizations on their day-to-day operations, human resources, and fundraising

Knowledge platform aiming to support non-profits in advancing their missions by identifying emerging trends and sharing proven practices and solutions, including in the area of fundraising

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