Auditors and assets
In most Australian states, incorporated associations are required to have their accounts audited…
Finance for treasurers
Help sheets
Budgeting for treasurers
Budgeting is simply the process of planning your organisation's finances for a specified period,…
Financial management and your community group
In a not-for-profit organisation the board or committee of management is ultimately responsible for…
Financial Obligations for Not-for-Profit Organisations in Australia
Not-for-profit (NFP) organisations in Australia are subject to financial obligations that vary by…
Glossary of financial terms
The glossary of financial terms has been developed to give quick access to definitions of some of…
Keeping the books
The terms 'bookkeeping' and 'accounting' are often used interchangeably, but they have different…
Nailing the treasurer's report
Whether you're a veteran or have just recently been appointed treasurer of your not-for-profit…
Record-keeping for treasurers
A computer system is not a substitute for paper records. Make sure you keep a hard copy audit trail…
Articles
All we want for Christmas is a roof over our heads: homeless Australians
Posted on 17 Dec 2025
As we head into the holiday period, the number of Australians battling homelessness has hit crisis…
William Tilmouth wins Australia’s highest human rights award and condemns continuing Indigenous policies
Posted on 17 Dec 2025
The founding chair of the ambitious systems-change not-for-profit organisation Children’s Ground,…
Australia needs an immigration vision, not just a shrinking target
Posted on 17 Dec 2025
Posturing by the US president about Europe's immigration policies, even warnings of future…
2025 recapped: the hits, the heated debates and the heroes
Posted on 17 Dec 2025
For this final Community Advocate edition of the year, we reviewed a whole year’s worth of stories…
One in a million: What refugee journeys teach us about how Australia sees itself
Posted on 16 Dec 2025
As Australia prepares to welcome its one millionth refugee, human rights advocate and former…
Can a Sherrin save the world? How Lex is kicking goals for climate change
Posted on 16 Dec 2025
Lex Lynch spent more than two decades in the climate change and renewables field before last year…
Burnout costing billions in the NFP sector
Posted on 11 Dec 2025
Community Directors trainer Jon Staley knows from first-hand experience the cost of ignoring…
ICDA and BoardPro partnership unlocks digital governance tools for not-for-profits nationwide
Posted on 10 Dec 2025
Adele Stowe-Lindner, Executive Director, Community Directors The Institute of Community Directors…
Checklists
Members Only
Making sure your annual report is complete
Once you have completed your annual report, use the following checklist to make sure you haven't…
Members Only
Preparing for bequests
Use this checklist to help determine if your organisation is ready to establish a wills/bequests…
Members Only
Treasurer's checklist: Can your group be trusted with money?
If you're asking for grants, you have to be able to guarantee you can handle the money. The…
Policies
Budget Planning Policy
Boards are responsible for overseeing the budget of the organisation and for ensuring that the…
Delegations Policy
This policy sets out the circumstances under which the Board may delegate its responsibilities.…
Financial Controls Policy
Finances and financial transactions, including credit cards, cheques, and petty cash, if properly…
Fraud Risk Management Policy
Just like commercial organisations, not-for-profit organisations may be subject to fraudulent…
Investment Planning Policy
Boards are responsible for ensuring that the organisation operates within a responsible,…
Procurement policy
Purchasing decisions can have a big impact on an organisation’s finances, reputation, and…
Reimbursement Policy
Staff or volunteers may on occasion be required to pay expenses consequent on their employment out…