Global Dialogue: Part-time Finance Director

We were engaged to provide financial services to Global Dialogue.  They are a human rights charity which undertakes work in Turkey, the UK, and a range of other countries under a broad charitable remit.

Objective

Global Dialogue required a more sophisticated financial reporting system to segregate different projects under restricted funds in a transparent way, and ensure regular reporting of activity against budget to trustees. As it extended its range of activities new funding streams commenced and some grant cycles for key areas of activity ceased. This required strategic financial input to help plan and manage activities in response to changes in its funding base. Global Dialogue has additionally asked Counterculture to provide outsourced bookkeeping services.

Action

Peter Greaney implemented a new finance system (Sage), and has produced charity-compliant SORP accounts for the last three years. He initially worked alongside an in-house bookkeeper to develop better systems to ensure financial transactions are accurately processed, and produce regular management accounts, budgets and finance reports for managers, funders and trustees.

Following changes to income streams, Peter introduced a flexible forecasting model – to enable Global Dialogue to react to changes and remain sustainable in the future. Counterculture also provided bookkeeping support, in line with the new more efficient reporting systems and procedures, therefore providing better value for money.

Results

Global Dialogue received regular financial reports in line with the reporting requirements of the Charity Commission. This enabled it to plan and manage its activities with greater confidence, and to be more responsive to funders’ requirements. It received a clean audit opinion and had a hugely improved capacity to handle projected growth in its activities.

More

http://www.global-dialogue.eu