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Charity Finance Resources

Explore a collection of free resources designed to help continually improve your finance function

Charity Insight

Achieving extra efficiency without the extra headcount

With upwards of 120% increase in patients and an expanded strategy of income generating activities, there were signficant demands on the team - and their finance system. Hear how iplicit has saved the East Dorset hospice from "needing a team of 100" and transformed working life.

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care Logo - NEW (Primary Logo)
Guide

How to get your stakeholders' buy-in for digital transformation


Getting approval for a new finance system can be tough, especially with so many other things needing attention. To win over stakeholders, you need to show how a modern system helps, like by making reporting easier and improving security. Download our guide to learn how to make your case and get everyone on board.

Getting your board on board guide
Digital Transformation

Essential finance system checklists

Created in collaboration with charity finance expert Mark Salway, these checklists are designed to assist nonprofit organisations on their digital transformation journey within the finance function. 

Part #1

Assess

Many organisations have old and outdated systems. This checklist will help you identify the tell-tale signs of when it is time to change and when new systems can help deliver real benefit for your organisation.

 

There are four key areas for you to work through and review.

 

  • Technical infrastructure and the cloud
  • Electronic workflows and system integration
  • Transaction processes & controls
  • Management information

 

Download the checklist ⬇️

 

Part #2

Evaluate & Select

Different users will have different needs and so creating a really good set of user specifications will be critical.

 

You can often learn how to improve by sitting down with various groups of stakeholders (e.g. finance staff, trustees etc.) and asking what could be improved across your processes and reporting. You can also ask vendors and suppliers what good practice looks like.

 

Don’t scrimp on this stage. Ask challenging questions. Achieving real buy-in across the organisation can be really beneficial.

 

Download the checklist ⬇️

Part #3

Implement

Implementing well takes time and effort. It should be an inclusive process so that everyone feels a positive change; this should not just become stuck with the finance team alone.

 

You need to plan your implementation properly,  phase this effectively, and make sure staff have confidence in the new finance system.

 

Choosing a good vendor is critical as you will be working closely with them on the actual functionality, system design and implementation - and a good one can be asked for support in these areas.

 

Download the checklist ⬇️

[GUIDE] Nonprofit toolkit
Toolkit

Nonprofits know when it's time to change your finance system & get the change right

Nonprofits take huge time and effort when choosing new finance systems and, as a result, often hold on to them for far too long.

This simple guide provides a toolkit and roadmap to help nonprofit organisations know when it’s time to change, and, when the time is right, how to do it excellently. With great systems and solid tools in place, you can get on with the business of creating more social impact.

Mark Salway (circle)
Mark Salway FCA
Charity Finance Expert
Checklist

How to find the accounting software that meets your nonprofit's needs

When it comes to selecting a new finance system for your organisation, it's a decision you want to get right the first time. But with so many options on the market, it can be a time-consuming and sometimes confusing task.

Our checklist is here to help you get started by letting you compare up to three vendors side-by-side.

[GUIDE] Nonprofit toolkit (4)
Industry Advice

Charity insight

Changing your finance system can be a daunting prospect, but finance professionals who have successfully done it for their nonprofit organisation are here to share their top tips for a smooth transition.

STUDENTS' UNION

Hull University Students' Union

“Right at the outset, you need to be clear about what’s important to you. The other thing I learned, because we’d been using a relatively old system for a long time, was that you should have an open mind about your processes. There are things we’d done in a certain way because we had a system that we had used for a long period of time. You need to have an open mind about doing things differently.” 

 

Kevin Pearson, Finance & Resource Manager

MUSEUM

Black Country Living Museum

“I’d say do your research, plan the implementation very carefully and allow time to get it right because it is a two-way, interactive process. You know what your business does and the way you like to do things – but you have to see whether there are alternative ways to do things and not be blinded by your past experience."

 

Diane Harvey, Head of Finance   

INTERNATIONAL NGO

Health Poverty Action

"To roll out to 14 countries and hundreds of users was a significant task and we had a focused project team. We also had a project board during the implementation, including our Treasurer of the main board, and of course the support team provided by iplicit. Having a dedicated resource for the migration, along with the support from our teams and iplicit, was a material factor in the transition going as smoothly as it did.” 

 

Sandra Tcheumeni Boschet, Head of Finance

CHARITY

Trees For Cities

"Firstly, it takes up more time than you think it will! It’s important to be clear on what you really want to get out of the new system. My advice is to consider it as an opportunity not only to upgrade your accounting software but also a chance to upgrade some of your procedures, structure and reporting too. I also think it’s important to consider these issues before you put in the system rather than implementing the solution and then thinking what reports you can get out of it.” 

 

Annabel Kiddle, Head of Finance

Video

How to improve charity finance and reporting

If you’re a nonprofit organisation, you’ll know that survival depends on your ability to get critical insights quickly and to forecast accurately, and that means closing month-end fast!

Learn how to navigate the complexity of reporting and make it easier with the right financial infrastructure. Plus, hear from the Charleston Trust about their digital transformation experience.

Louise Zandstra Charleston Trust - Circle
Louise Zandstra
Former Finance Director, Charleston Trust
Explore Further

See the finance system designed for nonprofits

Join charities around the world who have simplified and streamlined their finance operations with iplicit's award winning accounting software. 

Trusted by over 22,000 daily users across 85 countries
Intuitive navigation with ample self-service and live support
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Integrate donor, membership, and grant management systems
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