Introducing Finance Countâ„¢

Agenda Consulting

Finance Count, is a financial management benchmarking tool tailored specifically to the needs of the third sector, designed in partnership with the Charity Finance Directors Group (CFDG).

To join the study CLICK HERE.

Over 160 organisations of different sizes and sub sectors have been involved over the past 2 years, representing almost 15% of the third sector workforce, and combined total net assets of over £3.8 billion. By taking part in the study you can get a clear picture of how the financial processes in your organisation compare with those in other voluntary and community organisations. This provides a powerful, tailor-made tool which you can use to contribute to performance improvement. The reports also contain case studies on good practice from high performing organisations involved in the study.

Members receive:

  • Organisation Scorecard
  • Sector-wide Report
    Detailed Statistics Report
  • 1-1 telephone consultation
  • Online access to our benchmarking database and case studies for 12 months
  • 4 workshops per annum to hear case studies, share good practice and network with fellow finance professionals
  • Invitation to participate in other surveys as appropriate.

Benefits experienced by participants:

  • Provides early warning signs of potential issues
  • Gives reassurance for what is already working well
  • Helps determine priorities for action
  • Provides evidence to support change
  • Useful in setting meaningful and realistic targets
  • Enhances your ability to report back to management and trustees
  • Gain new insights on good practice and how to achieve it.

Key topics covered include:

  • Transaction processing: purchasing, the purchase ledger, expenses, payroll and income processing
  • Internal and external reporting and use of performance management techniques
  • Control and decision support: planning, budgeting, cash and treasury management, and public service delivery
  • A look at the finance function in detail: staffing levels, qualifications, training, effectiveness, leadership and planned changes
  • Central function costs, trading and investment management.

Previous participants have said that the study provides 'a unique insight' which is 'thought provoking' and 'has helped us to generate many new ideas'. To read more comments from previous participants see the recommendations page.

To join the study CLICK HERE.