Financial Management & Budgeting for NGOs

Overview

This training is developed to equip participants with the needed skills, tools, best practices and know how on how organizations in the humanitarian and development sector manage their financials. This includes organizational financial budgeting, donor compliance, project budgeting, financial forecasting, cash flow management, financial reporting, book keeping and records management, budget optimization techniques and assets inventory management.

Target Group

This training course is targeting President of Organization/Executive Directors/Finance Directors/Managers/Coordinators/Officers, Treasurers, Accountants, Financial Consultants, and all individuals working in the finance and accounting units in international NGOs, development organizations, local NGOs and Community Based Organizations.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowing the basic Financial Principles & Finance Forms and Templates
• Understand how to develop an Organizational Budget and Project Budget, in addition to Master budget.
• Comprehend Managing Cash-flow, Payments, Receivables, Bookkeeping and Records Management.
• Know how to prepare Financial Reports in compliance with international and local common practices.
• Evaluate project budgets, financial reports and documentation to do basic internal audits and controls.
• Know the requirements and proper calculations related to payroll tax and NSSF in Lebanon.
• Understand how to ensure compliance with donor and governmental financial requirements.

What Topics are Covered?

• Introduction to Financial Principles & Finance Forms and Templates including some examples of donor templates and requirements.
• Budgeting, Budget Monitoring & Forecasting, including best practices on financial reporting, budget formats and a deep dive into budget creation.
• Managing Organizational Financials – financial sustainability with examples. Coordination with all departments and external stakeholders, how to plan for long term, etc.
• Recordkeeping & Documentation – Best practices, disallowed costs, etc.
• Control & Audits – Auditor selection, internal and external audits, audit findings and management response, best practices, general compliance regulations, etc.
• Cashflow, Financials Management & Assets inventory management – importance of accurate cash flow request and cash management, asset list and best practices, etc.
• Reporting (Internal, Donor & Governmental).
• Payroll tax and NSSF in Lebanon – Reporting, exercises on tax and NSSF calculations, recent changes in tax law, different forms to use.
• Compliance Best Practices – Including common mistakes, use and ownership of donations, etc.