It is beyond the scope of this Guide to give detailed information on how to manage an agency’s finances or understand key statements.You are urged to consult the following excellent resources for definitions and more detailed information on how and why certain practices and conventions are to be followed in financial management, as well as for useful forms and case studies.
Essential reading. For $5, the Muttart Foundation’s Financial Responsibilities of Not-for-Profit Boards is very worthwhile. It is a self-guided workbook in their Board Development series and contains clear, well laid-out information that is immediately practical! Call to order: 780-497-5617.
A classic! Try the 1984 publication Financial Management for Community Groups by Alix Granger and Margaret Vrabel (Vancouver Volunteer Centre) for some clear explanations of how to prepare a budget, how to control petty cash and how to set up your books.
Top-notch! The Strengthening Leadership series, produced by Family Space Quinte, includes workbooks as well as templates on disc which you can use to write most policies needed by your organization. This comprehensive series has an excellent section for developing your financial policies. CLO used this to draft its financial management policies. The entire series costs $100. Contact Family Space Quinte to order: 613-966-9427.
The price is right! The series of free fact sheets from OMAFRA have some useful information on the following topics:
These and other fact sheets are on line at www.gov.on.ca:80/OMAFRA/english/rural/facts/factshts.htm
A copy of CLO’s Operational Policies and Procedures Manual is included in the upcoming section entitled Supporting Documents. Check out their detailed financial management policies for your own reference.