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
When impact becomes the first casualty of mission drift
Posted on 22 Jul 2026
I spoke at the Social Impact Summit in Sydney this month on a topic that has been sitting with me…
How does my board evaluate its impact when we have no time or money?
Posted on 22 Jul 2026
I once worked with an organisation that had become expert at keeping the lights on. Every year it…
The Smith Family's research is the base for its social impact
Posted on 22 Jul 2026
New research from The Smith Family shows senior secondary school transitions are difficult and…
Don't be an apology for the Not-for-profit Agenda
Posted on 22 Jul 2026
The Not-for-profit Agenda, airing at 12.30pm AEST on Thursday, August 20, is Community Directors’…
Why banking on community is good business
Posted on 22 Jul 2026
Beyond Bank puts communities and social impact at the heart of what it does, but that’s just good…
How ESG can help NFPs understand impact
Posted on 22 Jul 2026
For many people, ESG sounds like corporate and business jargon. For not-for-profits, it might be…
How Aimee discovered she was fit to lead
Posted on 22 Jul 2026
Aimee Lobban had been leading for years without knowing it when she turned her experience,…
New tax on trusts has a sting in the tail for charities and NFPs
Posted on 15 Jul 2026
The government is now consulting on changes to the way trusts are taxed. Charities and NFPs need to…
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…
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…