Course Purpose

The purpose of the course is to equip nonprofit Treasurer’s and Finance Committee Members with the finance knowledge, skills and practical tools and templates that will strengthen their finance leadership skills.

Treasurer’s will learn about finance from a governance perspective so that they can strengthen their understanding of how to fulfill the governance finance function.

Treasurer’s will also learn the best practices in operational finance so that they can understand the best practices expected of finance functions within the staffing functions and operations. This is intended for Treasurer’s to enhance their roles in providing feedback and advice to staff while maintaining a governance role. 

This training is not intended for Treasurer’s to become operational in their roles! Instead, this training provides a comprehensive foundation for Treasurer’s to understand what the best practices are so that they can strengthen their coaching and feedback within the Finance Committee purview. 

See the course outline below for the list of modules, lessons and topics.

Format

• 8-week online self-paced course
• 3 modules and 20 lessons
• Lessons consist of a series of short videos that are released each week of the 8 weeks
• The videos are interactive and embed short quizzes
• Modules include 23 takeaway tools such as templates, guides and checklists
• 1 group online “Ask an Auditor Anything” discussion
• Questions to the facilitator on the group page during the 8-week program
• 3 one-on-one emails to the course instructor for each of the 8 weeks 
• You can take the course anytime and anywhere – all you need is an internet connection
• As a BONUS…at the end of the 8-week course you enter into the Finance Thrive Community and receive 10 additional months of support and learning. There are live Ask an Expert sessions during the year and more.

Why take this course?

• Maybe you were placed in the Treasurer role or on a finance committee without enough training in nonprofit finance.
• Maybe you realize that there are significant differences between for-profit and non-profit finance and want to learn so that you can fulfill your role effectively
• Maybe you want to know what the best practices are for both governance finance and operational finance so that you can strengthen the coaching and feedback you provide in your volunteer role

What is the curriculum?

Module 1: Foundation in Finance

• Learn about the Governance Finance responsibilities 
• Learn about the role of the finance and audit committees
• Learn about a sample work plan for the finance and audit committee
• Learn the role of the CEO / Executive Director in finance 
• Learn about the audit, the role of the auditor and the type of communications from the auditor
• Learn about the Accounting Standards for Nonprofit Organizations including accounting terms and audited financial statement presentation methods
• Learn how to read and understand financial statements
• Learn best practices in internal financial statements
• Learn about why automating bookkeeping and accounting functions is so important

Module 2: Financial Statement and Analysis and Business Model Analysis

• Learn how to analyze financial statements
• Learn about the nonprofit business model and how to analyze and optimize it
• Learn best practices in budgeting and costing and the role of the non-finance manager in finance
• Learn best practices in the preparation of the proposed draft annual budget
• Learn about financial ratios and key performance indicators
• Learn how to conduct a deep dive trend analysis comparing revenue, expenses, surpluses, net assets over 3 years
• Learn how to write a financial narrative

Module 3: Integrating Strategy with Finance

• Learn how to integrate finance with the strategic planning and the annual budgeting process
• Learn how to develop a plan for reserves and learn how to amend a template reserve policy for the board
• Learn how to develop a financial plan for the organization

Oh…and you also get access to the lessons and the resources for one year from your enrolment date 🙂

Who is this program for?

• Nonprofit Treasurer’s and Finance and Audit Committee Members 
• Leaders representing small to large nonprofit and charitable organizations
• Ready for growth: Many Treasurer’s and Finance Committee members have received little to no finance training but now they are in a leadership position and realize that they need to strengthen their financial leadership skills.
• Ready to Expand their knowledge: Many participants may have an understanding of “for-profit” finance but have no training in nonprofit finance nor in the Accounting Standards for Not-for-Profit Organizations 
• Confident: Participants who want to increase their level of confidence in fulfilling their roles as Treasurer’s and as volunteers on Finance/Audit Committees.
• Certificate of Completion: Individuals that want a certificate of completion to show funders, donors and their board of director’s or their Executive Director that they have invested in themselves and their knowledge in nonprofit finance.

Read some of the testimonials below to hear what people think about the Finance Masterclass for Nonprofit Leaders!