The success of any venture, whatever its size, depends on proper financial control. This book offers a step-by-step guide to basic accounting and financial management techniques. It is written in plain language for people who have no previous experience of accounting and book-keeping. Using simple case-studies the author shows how to: construct a budget and cash-flow forecast record and control cash payments, draw up an analysed cash book and a receipts and payments account, operate a bank account, prepare a budget and actual statement. In this second edition of the best-selling book, first published in 1992, each section is followed by summaries of key points and activities to practise the material covered. Solutions are also included. The systems described are not specific to development programmes. This book should be useful to any small group which needs to keep accurate records of its financial transactions.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgements Using the activities at the end of each chapter Introduction: why keep accounts - and who should keep them?: Why keep accounts? Who keeps accounts? What personal qualities should a treasurer have?; Key points of this chapter; Activities Chapter 1 Deciding what your group's activities will cost: Establishing your plans; How to construct a budget; Breaking down the budget; Budgets and price increases; Keeping to the budget; Key points of this chapter; Activities Chapter 2 Records of money coming in and going out: Recording the money; Another method of presentation; Rules to help you to control your cash; Key points of this chapter; Activities Chapter 3 Arranging your records to give more information: The analysed cash book; Key points of this chapter; Activities Chapter 4 Bank accounts: What the bank will offer; How to account for bank accounts; Transfers between cash and bank; Points to remember when filling in your bank book; Two other methods of presentation; Key points of this chapter; Activities Chapter 5 Ensuring that your figures are the same as the bank's figures: Rules to help you control your bank account; Key points of this chapter; Activities Chapter 6 Summarising the accounts: Receipts; Payment; Putting it all together; Key points of this chapter; Activities Chapter 7 Summarising the accounts in more detail: How to improve the receipts and payments account; Key points of this chapter; Activities Chapter 8 Providing the information that your group needs: How much money is left?; Regular reporting; What does the statement show?; Reporting from the beginning of the year to date; Key points of this chapter; Activities Chapter 9 Having the accounts checked: Who is appointed to check the accounts?; What happens when the accounts are checked?; Other checks; Key points of this chapter; Activities Chapter 10 Relations with donors: Who are the donors?; Approaches to donors; Accounting requirements; "Building blocks" of accounting; Reporting to people who have given you money; Increases in workloads; Key points of this chapter; Activities Chapter 11 Regular financial tasks: Daily financial tasks; Weekly financial tasks; Monthly financial tasks; Annual/year-end financial tasks; Key points of this chapter; Activities Appendix 1: Example of a receipts and payments account Appendix 2: Some blank forms which you may find useful Appendix 3: Solutions to activitiesSuggestions for further reading