Glossary of financial terms
The glossary of financial terms has been developed to give quick access to definitions of some of…
Community Finance Centre
Community Finance Centre
The Community Finance Centre has been established by Our Community with our alliance partner Commonwealth Bank to give not-for-profit organisations access to tools and resources to help improve their financial management, and better and more cost-effective banking solutions.
Resources
Help sheets
Strategic planning for treasurers
Strategic planning comes before budgeting. The treasurer should be involved in the overall business…
Risk management for treasurers
A risk is any event or action that harms your organisation's reputation or your ability to achieve…
Why a growth mindset could be one of your organisation’s most powerful funding tools
The shockwaves from the COVID-19 crisis have shaken many organisations to the core.
Spread the load to build financial sustainability
You're a mission-focused organisation, and your mission is long term. Your funding and your funding…
Financial management and your community group
In a not-for-profit organisation the board or committee of management is ultimately responsible for…
Members Only
Reviewing your bank
Whether you're choosing a banking partner for your organisation, or have been with your current…
How to minimise banking fees & charges
Every dollar saved by a community organisation is valuable. This help sheet is to help you find…
Project budgeting
Many funding agencies or philanthropic foundations want to fund one-off special projects and do not…
Trend analysis
The board must not examine the coming year's budget in isolation. In order to attain a proper…
Understanding travel expenses
While volunteer board members may not expect to be rewarded for their services, the absence of any…
Questions every not-for-profit board should ask about the finances
The COVID-19 crisis highlighted the importance of financial literacy in not-for-profit…
Budgeting for treasurers
Budgeting is simply the process of planning your organisation's finances for a specified period,…
Auditors and assets
In most Australian states, incorporated associations are required to have their accounts audited…
Budgeting for special events
When you're working on your special event budget, you will need to be able to track every dollar…
Establishing a fundraising strategy
Although it's undoubtedly hard, fundraising can – and should – be a fun and exciting experience. It…
Assets register
An asset register allows you to keep track of your assets and provides a fair estimate of their…
The role of the Treasurer
What makes people become treasurers of community organisations? Some gravitate to the role because…
Record-keeping for treasurers
A computer system is not a substitute for paper records. Make sure you keep a hard copy audit trail…
FAQs about your not-for-profit’s AGM
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way not-for-profits are run, and AGMs will never be the same.…
What not-for-profits should look for in a transaction account
Many community groups are not aware of the fees and charges that apply to many transaction…
Members Only
Understanding finances
There are many ways that an organisation's finances can go wrong, and most of them can be traced…
Preparing a budget
A budget is a way of thinking ahead financially. Accounting looks backward, at what income you have…
CEO remuneration
Issues of how much to pay a community group's CEO or executive director usually arises in one of…
Keeping the books
The terms 'bookkeeping' and 'accounting' are often used interchangeably, but they have different…
Useful financial sustainability indicators for not-for-profits
One way that your organisation's board can help keep track of the organisation's financial risks is…
Knowing when your group's finances may be ailing
It is your job as a board member to ensure that the organisation your board is overseeing remains…
Top treasurers’ tips for turbulent times
Australia’s best community treasurers come from a range of not-for-profits and every corner of the…
Your COVID-19 funding questions answered
Many organisations run into trouble because they rely on too few sources of funding, or because…
Checklists
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…
Members Only
Nailing the treasurer's report
Whether you're a veteran or have just recently been appointed treasurer of your not-for-profit…
Policies
Financial Controls Policy
Finances and financial transactions, including credit cards, cheques, and petty cash, if properly…
Investment Planning Policy
Boards are responsible for ensuring that the organisation operates within a responsible,…
Reimbursement Policy
Staff or volunteers may on occasion be required to pay expenses consequent on their employment out…
Advice Guides
Not-for-Profit Treasurers' Awards
The Commonwealth Bank Not-for-Profit Treasurers' Awards are designed to provide the recognition that our unsung community Treasurers deserve.
Not-for-Profit Finance Week
Not-for-Profit Finance Week brings together an exciting line-up of leading experts to share knowledge and wisdom in key areas of governance, fundraising, innovation and cybersecurity.