It’s a Nightmare with the Numbers

In association with Charity Finance Group.

This no-nonsense guide unpacks the jargon, the processes and the systems that make the world of charity finance such a tricky one to navigate.

It includes:

• What finance is really about
• Risk management
• Narrative reporting
• Investments
• Top tips from the experts
• The building blocks of financial management
• Reserves
• Numbers and notes
• External scrutiny

Who is this book for?

This book is for CEOs, senior executives, trustees, non-finance staff – in fact, pretty much anyone who needs to understand the numbers in their charity. Finance people still find it helpful to consider a different perspective on the numbers too.

Ordering muliple copies

Why not buy print or e-copies for all of your trustees and executive team with our bulk purchase discount scheme Place a discounted bulk order by contacting our Customer Services team on cs@dsc.org.uk or call 020 4526 5995 and they will process your order manually for you.

‘I have worked with accountants for a large part of my career and have often “felt the fear” of being bamboozled by jargon. As an operational lead in a technical and financial charity, this book has really helped me to feel comfortable digesting the digits. The glossary of terms was completely invaluable to me, and I found the book to be both technically excellent and completely accessible.’

Emma Barklamb, Head of Member Services, Chartered Institute of Taxation and Association of Taxation Technicians 

 

‘Applying all of her experience and expertise, Caron has written this book to break down the sometimes intimidating world of charity finance into understandable and actionable insights that are accessible to everyone.’

Pesh Framjee, Special Advisor to the Charity Finance Group and Founder of Consulting for Purpose

 

‘Worried about understanding financial conversations at your charity? Worry no more – Caron Bradshaw has got your back! This accessible and highly engaging guide will enable you to understand all aspects of your charity’s finances in your organisation.’

Andrew Hind, former CEO of the Charity Commission for
England and Wales and Senior Visiting Fellow at Bayes Business School 

 

‘Caron has succeeded brilliantly in painting in glorious technicolour the world of charity finance. She spends satisfyingly little time on the numbers themselves and rightly focuses on understanding the processes that lead to good decisions. I wish this invaluable guide had been available when I first came to the charity sector!’

Bob Humphreys, Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, Education Development Trust

 

‘An insightful, humorous and no-nonsense summary of the world of charity finance. This book is wonderfully written with real background and personal comments on a human-to-human level. Caron caters to everyone involved in charity finance and sets out every aspect from a balanced and experienced view, without overwhelming the reader. I will certainly be getting copies for existing charity clients and trustees who are new to the world of charity finance.’

Samantha Green BFP ACA, Partner, George Hay Chartered Accountants

 

‘This book addresses the “nightmare with the numbers” by placing charity finance in context, showing readers how those numbers can help them in their roles – both governance and operational. It is full of excellent advice and written in an accessible style, using many helpful examples drawn from practice.’

Laura F. Spira, Emeritus Professor of Corporate Governance, Oxford Brookes University

Look inside

Have a look inside It’s a Nightmare with the Numbers.

About the author

Caron Bradshaw

Caron is Chief Executive of Charity Finance Group. Previously she was Head of the Charity and Voluntary Sector at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). In addition to supporting a number of small charities and community organisations, Caron has been a member of the NCVO’s National Assembly and the Charities SORP Committee, has sat on a number of government working parties, is a non-executive director of the Lending Standards Board, a member of the Church of England Pension Board’s Audit and Risk Committee, and former chair of the board of the Directory of Social Change. She was also chair of her local hockey club. She was named in the top 30 UK social influencers in Risk, Compliance and Regtech 2017.

Caron is a trained barrister and has a wide array of experience across charity, regulation, law, policy, member support and professional ethics. In 2015 she was named Charity Principal of the Year at the Charity Times Awards. In 2016 she received the Association Excellence Award for Leadership. Caron is an avidly social CEO and has been named in the top 30 social CEOs in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Caron was honoured with an OBE for her services to charity in the New Year’s Honours lists in 2021.

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