Financial Planning and Analysis for Non-profits

Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Financial Management for Non-profits course at Stanmore School of Business. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.

Financial Planning and Analysis for Non-profits

Accountability refers to the responsibility of a non #

profit organization to its stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and the community it serves, to ensure that its resources are being used effectively and efficiently. This concept is closely related to transparency and governance, as it involves being open and honest about the organization's activities and finances, as well as having a clear system of oversight and decision-making. In the context of Financial Planning and Analysis for Non-profits, accountability is critical in ensuring that the organization's financial resources are being used to achieve its mission and goals.

Accrual Accounting is a method of accounting that recognizes revenues and… #

This approach is in contrast to cash basis accounting, which recognizes revenues and expenses only when cash is received or paid. Accrual accounting is generally considered to be a more accurate and reliable method of accounting, as it provides a more complete picture of an organization's financial performance and position. In the context of non-profit organizations, accrual accounting is often required by grantors and regulatory bodies, and is an important tool for financial planning and analysis.

Activity #

Based Costing is a method of costing that involves assigning specific costs to specific activities or programs within an organization. This approach is in contrast to traditional costing methods, which often assign costs to broad categories or departments. Activity-based costing is useful in non-profit organizations, as it allows for a more detailed and accurate understanding of the costs associated with specific programs or activities, and can help inform decisions about resource allocation and pricing.

Budgeting refers to the process of creating a financial plan that outline… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, budgeting is a critical tool for financial management, as it helps ensure that the organization has sufficient resources to achieve its mission and goals. A budget should be based on realistic assumptions about future revenues and expenses, and should be regularly reviewed and revised as necessary.

Capital Budgeting refers to the process of planning and managing an organ… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, capital budgeting is important for ensuring that the organization has the necessary resources to achieve its long-term goals and objectives. A capital budget should be based on a clear understanding of the organization's strategic priorities and financial resources.

Cash Flow refers to the movement of cash into or out of an organization o… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, cash flow is critical, as it can have a significant impact on the organization's ability to operate and achieve its mission. A cash flow projection is a tool that can be used to forecast an organization's future cash flows, and to identify potential challenges or opportunities.

Cost Allocation refers to the process of assigning specific costs to spec… #

This approach is useful in non-profit organizations, as it allows for a more detailed and accurate understanding of the costs associated with specific programs or activities, and can help inform decisions about resource allocation and pricing.

Cost #

Benefit Analysis is a method of evaluation that involves comparing the expected costs and benefits of a specific project or program within an organization. This approach is useful in non-profit organizations, as it allows for a more informed and rational decision-making process, and can help ensure that resources are being used effectively and efficiently.

Donor Management refers to the process of managing and stewarding … #

This approach is critical in non-profit organizations, as it can have a significant impact on the organization's ability to secure funding and sustain its mission. A donor management system should be based on a clear understanding of the organization's strategic priorities and financial goals.

Endowment refers to a fund or asset that is established to provide… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, an endowment can be an important tool for sustainability, as it can provide a stable source of funding for the organization's mission and programs.

Financial Analysis refers to the process of examining and interpreting… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, financial analysis is a critical tool for informed decision-making, as it can help identify challenges and opportunities, and inform strategic planning and resource allocation.

Financial Management refers to the process of planning , organizing … #

In the context of non-profit organizations, financial management is critical, as it can have a significant impact on the organization's ability to operate and sustain its mission.

Financial Planning refers to the process of creating a comprehensive and… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, financial planning is a critical tool for informed decision-making, as it can help identify challenges and opportunities, and inform strategic planning and resource allocation.

Financial Reporting refers to the process of preparing and presenting<… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, financial reporting is critical, as it can have a significant impact on the organization's ability to secure funding and sustain its mission.

Financial Statement refers to a document that provides a summary of an or… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, financial statements are critical, as they provide stakeholders with a clear and accurate understanding of the organization's financial health and sustainability.

Fund Accounting refers to a method of accounting that involves tracking a… #

This approach is useful in non-profit organizations, as it allows for a more detailed and accurate understanding of the organization's financial performance and position, and can help inform strategic planning and resource allocation.

Fundraising refers to the process of securing financial resources from <i… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, fundraising is critical, as it can have a significant impact on the organization's ability to operate and sustain its mission.

Grant Management refers to the process of managing and stewarding … #

A grant management system should be based on a clear understanding of the organization's strategic priorities and financial goals.

Investment Management refers to the process of managing and overseeing… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, investment management is critical, as it can have a significant impact on the organization's ability to sustain its mission and achieve its long-term goals.

Management Accounting refers to the process of providing financial inform… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, management accounting is critical, as it can help identify challenges and opportunities, and inform resource allocation and financial planning.

Non #

Profit Organization refers to a type of organization that is established to serve a public or charitable purpose, rather than to generate profits for its owners or shareholders. In the context of financial planning and analysis, non-profit organizations have unique challenges and opportunities, and require specialized knowledge and skills to manage their financial resources effectively.

Operating Budget refers to a financial plan that outlines an organization… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, an operating budget is critical, as it helps ensure that the organization has sufficient resources to operate and achieve its mission and goals. An operating budget should be based on realistic assumptions about future revenues and expenses, and should be regularly reviewed and revised as necessary.

Performance Measurement refers to the process of tracking and evaluati… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, performance measurement is critical, as it can help identify challenges and opportunities, and inform strategic planning and resource allocation.

Program Evaluation refers to the process of assessing and evaluating</… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, program evaluation is critical, as it can help identify challenges and opportunities, and inform strategic planning and resource allocation.

Return on Investment refers to the return or yield that an organiz… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, return on investment is critical, as it can help inform strategic planning and resource allocation, and ensure that the organization is using its financial resources effectively and efficiently.

Risk Management refers to the process of identifying , assessing , a… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, risk management is critical, as it can help identify challenges and opportunities, and inform strategic planning and resource allocation.

Strategic Planning refers to the process of developing and implementin… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, strategic planning is critical, as it can help identify challenges and opportunities, and inform resource allocation and financial planning.

Sustainability refers to the ability of an organization to maintain its f… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, sustainability is critical, as it can have a significant impact on the organization's ability to operate and sustain its mission.

Time Value of Money refers to the concept that a dollar today is worth mo… #

In the context of non-profit organizations, the time value of money is critical, as it can help inform strategic planning and resource allocation, and ensure that the organization is using its financial resources effectively and efficiently.

Zero #

Based Budgeting refers to a method of budgeting that involves allocating resources from a zero base, rather than starting from a previous year's budget or baseline. This approach is useful in non-profit organizations, as it allows for a more detailed and accurate understanding of the organization's financial needs and priorities, and can help inform strategic planning and resource allocation.

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