16th Annual CFDG Conference

Registration / Welcome
8:30-9:15 / 9:15-9:30

Welcome and introduction by Paul Breckell, Chair, CFDG

Plenary
9:30-10:15

The role of the FD
When discussing the level of engagement of Finance within the Charity, many refer to the goal of being part of a strategic partnership, but what does this mean, what can the Finance Director contribute and what skills and competencies are needed to be successful in this environment?
Keith Hickey, CFDG

 Presentation

Stream A
Strategic Financial Management

Stream B
The Finance Department

Stream C
Increasing Margins

Stream D
New Opportunities

Steam E
Updates

Session 1
10:15-11:00

1A: Setting Clear Direction

It sounds simple enough, but why do organisations find it so difficult to align operational work behind high level corporate strategy? Is planning still a useful tool in today’s rapidly changing environment? This session explores some helpful ideas of how these challenges might be addressed in a practical way.

Martin Kyndt, Christian Aid

 Presentation

1B: The Role of Finance in an organisation

Bean counter or business partner? Support department or taking a lead? Nick will look at the finance function vision, strategy and role and include the financial control framework. Comparing notes and reaching for the sky will be very much on the agenda!

Nick Kavanagh, Save the Children

 Presentation

1C: Making Fundraising Flourish

The whole organisation has a role in placing fundraising at the heart of organisational success. This talk looks at a range of ways in which finance directors can play their part in creating the framework and culture for increasing organisational income.

Joe Saxton, nfpSynergy

 Presentation

1D: Social Entrepreneurship

In 2004, CAN launched Breakthrough - an innovative programme with one of the world's leading private equity firms, Permira, to help scale up social enterprises in the UK.Adele Blakebrough will be talking about how CAN works with corporates and social enterprises to broker win-win partnerships.

Adele Blakeborough, Community Action Network

 Presentation

1E: Financial Reporting Update

Over the past year there have been new developments in accounting for heritage assets and defined benefit pension schemes along with new Companies Act requirements. What effect does this have on charity accounts and how well have charities converted to the 2005 SORP?

Don Bawtree, BDO Stoy Hayward

 Presentation

Break
11:00-11:30

Tea & coffee break and time to explore the exhibition

Session 2
11:30-12:15

2A: Resource Availability

Kevin will talk about being clear about different sources of funding and their implications on organisational planning. He will go on to explain how RNIB shifted resources to support delivery of its strategy, and the need for financial planning to resonate with organisational objectives.

Kevin Geeson, RNIB

 Presentation

2B: Finance Department Strategy

This session will consider the role of finance in delivering an organisation’s strategy. It will cover management information, investment, risk management, financial planning and resource planning including human resources and property.

Rohan Hewavisenti, Breast Cancer Care

 Presentation

2C: Transaction Processing Costs

The prime responsibility of all voluntary organisations is to deliver the mission through excellent service delivery and/or influential campaigning. John will explore how innovative ways of commissioning and delivering support services can release resources to fund core activities and improve their effectiveness.

John Tizard, Capita

 Presentation

2D: Social Auditing

Henry Stewart will talk about how Happy Computers went about its social audit. He will examine how this could be rolled out in a charity to provide tangible and lasting benefits in terms of measuring impact and monitoring progress towards longterm objectives

Henry Stewart, Happy Computers

 Presentation

2E: VAT Update

The last 18 months has been a productive time for charities with several opportunities arising from retrospective reclaims of VAT. This session will outline these opportunities and how to maximise claims.

Russell Moore, Saffrey Champness

 Presentation

Plenary
12:15-13:00

Moving 'Beyond Budgeting' - why Not-For-Profit organisations should try, and what stops them
Adrian explores how Not-for Profit organisations can improve their impact by moving away from the traditional, annual budget-centred performance management model. Drawing on his experience both in the UK charity sector and The World Bank, Adrian shares some of the challenges and lessons of trying to do so.
Adrian Poffley, World Bank

 Presentation

Lunch
13:00-14:15

Enjoy the hot buffet lunch and explore the exhibition

Session 3
14:15-15:00

3A: Performance Measurement

In order to measure performance you need to describe a successful outcome, and then work back down the value chain to understand the activities and outputs you should be achieving to. Performance measures and targets need to be chosen with care as they should affect behaviour. Good measures will help you to manage uncertainty and improve performance.

Kate Sayer, Sayer Vincent

 Presentation

3B: Forming a Team

Its easy for Finance teams to become insular. As Directors of Finance it’s our responsibility to enable our teams to break down these barriers and bring support and front line staff together. The finance team should not be an island; it should be a resource that is valued by the rest of the organisation as a critical cog in the wheel of effective decision making.

Helen Verney, Jewish Care

 Presentation

3C: Mergers

In February 2006, ChildLine joined with the NSPCC. This presentation tells the story, from the financial perspective, of the two charities coming together starting from the preparation of the business case, (including contributions from the ChildLine FD Lynne Gregory), through the process of merger concluding with the finalisation of the consolidated accounts.

John Graham, NSPCC

 Presentation

3D: Collaborative Working & Strategic Alliances

Charities are working together for a number of reasons. This session will consider the different options such as shared services, strategic alliances, consortium working and mergers. It will discuss what makes such collaborative working succesful, what to look out for and how to get started.

Pesh Framjee, Delloitte

 Presentation

3E: Charities Act

After a long gestation The Charities Act 2006 is now with us. Like much new law it will be brought into force over the next couple of years. This session will review the main provisions of the Act and their implications for charities and those who work with them and/or advise them.

Anne-Marie Piper, Farrers

 Presentation

Break
15:00-15:30

Tea & coffee break with time to explore the exhibition

Session 4
15:30-16:15

4A: Accountability

Nigel will explore the range of a charity's accountabilities with a focus on those where the FD can be expected to have responsibilities. He will try to identify how these accountabilities might be manifested and highlight potential constraints on their implementation.

Nigel Saxby-Soffe, Action Aid

 Presentation

4B: The FD: A Leader or a Manager?

Is the finance director ever more than an accountant in pursuit of the feasible? Leadership and management intertwine and a director needs to be able to do both. This session looks at the finance director's role through the lens of an organisation that had to change.

Charles Nall, The Childrens' Society

 Presentation

4C: On Line Auctions

Commercial awareness and professional procurement are practices that should be important to all charities. A skilled procurement function brings improvements in process, supplier management and reduction in cost and uses new methods of procurement, including online auctions, to provide significant financial benefits.

Lynne Robb & Belinda Turner, Cancer Research UK

 Presentation

4D: Programme Related Investment

An investment by a charity is ‘programme related’ when the funds are made available to support a mission related activity but have to be repaid. This session will explore what’s possible, what’s being done, how it can work and what it can achieve – not least the recycling of charitable funds time and time and time again.

David Carrington, Consultant

 Presentation

4E: Audit Update

International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) were introduced last year. In this session, Sally will review the implementation of the ISAs, and will summarise recent and expected auditing developments relevant to the sector. She will also highlight the areas where charities can make the audit process as rewarding, efficient and painless as possible.

Sally Kirby, Chantrey Vellacott DFK

 Presentation

Plenary
16:15-17:00

Understanding costs
Richard will be considering the results of recent CFDG surveys, asking the question 'How well do charities understand their cost base' and what are the implications for both the sector and for those that fund it?
Richard Weaver, haysmacintyre

 Presentation

Close
17:00-17:10

Closing remarks by the chair. Q & A.

Reception
17:10-18:00