Welcome to the final day of Finance Week for Not-for-Profits 2025! This has been a week dedicated to enhancing the financial management and governance capability of charities and NFPs. This event, brought to you by Community Governance Aotearoa, powered by BNZ and Trust Management, offers valuable insights, resources, and expert advice to empower NFPs.
How to Make the Most of Finance Week (tuck this away for next year!)
- Board Agenda: Use our yearly Finance Week as a timely reminder to review investments, reserves, review your compliance obligations, and reset or focus in on funding and revenue streams.
- Sign Up for Daily Emails: Read, share and access videos, articles, and expert resources with your board members and management teams.
- Videos and Articles: Access pre-recorded videos and articles on financial oversight and strategies, and financial planning. Join Board Talks, or watch later!
- Social Media Engagement: Follow our social media channels for daily updates, engage with content, and share with your networks. We’re all in this together!
Relevant Resources for Community Organisations
Incorporated Societies
The new Incorporated Societies Act 2022 requires many incorporated societies to prepare their financial statements using XRB reporting standards. Explore these resources to help you comply with the new regulations, and help you determine your reporting requirements.
A handy reminder to ensure you are meeting your obligations as an incorporated society:
- Videos about XRB reporting
- Handy Resource on XRB reporting
- Register for our Board Talk coming up August 2025 on Incorporated Societies
Charities
All registered charities must complete annual reporting to Charities Services. This includes filling out an annual return and attaching financial statements.
Learn about financial statements and performance reports on the charities website:
Financial Statements – Ngā Pūrongo Pūtea
Te Tumu Paeroa and Community Governance Aotearoa have partnered to create a series of governing videos designed to enhance the knowledge and skills as Māori trustees. The videos are conversational with tips and guidance on navigating our often challenging roles as governors. Use this video as a good resource for board discussions.
Finance Week: Daily Emails Summary
This week, we’ve released an email a day to our community with helpful resources about the finances. Below you can find the links to these emails, and some other resources we shared.
DAY 1: Taking Responsibility for the Finances
A useful article by Barry Baker from Grant Thornton simplifies the complexities of financial reports. Understand key financial concepts and how to interpret data for better decision-making. Access the email here.
DAY 2: Life Moments: Strengthening Financial Governance
Whetū Rangi of BNZ shared his insight on the finances for Māori and non-Māori organisations and the unique considerations for Māori organisations. Community Governance Aotearoa in partnership with Te Tumu Paeroa also offer a Governance Toolkit for Māori Trustees, with a Finances component. Access the email here.
DAY 3: Strategies for Charities in Challenging Times
Rachael McDonald of Trust Management shares a helpful article about balancing mission-driven work with financial sustainability, especially for these uncertain economic times! Plus, Trust Management’s resource on Ethical Investing and ours on Knowing the Financials. Access the email here.
DAY 4: Stronger Finances, Stronger Communities
Our own Rose Hiha-Agnew of Community Governance Aotearoa shares an article covering why financial confidence is so important and some top tips for the finances! There are also a range of resources including a Starting out Board Pack from Community Governance Aotearoa. Access the email here.
Special Feature, Board Talk on Balancing the Books – Finance 101
This session on 11 April 2025 offered an opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and connect with other NFP leaders. Panel guests are Jadene Windley from Grant Thornton, Greg Bonnett from BNZ, and Rachael McDonald from Trust Management, led by Rose Hiha-Agnew. The talk has been recorded, you can catch up on the recording on our website.
That’s a Wrap
Finance Week for NFPs is a unique opportunity to enhance financial management skills, strengthen governance practices, and support your teams. By participating, you gain valuable knowledge and resources to help your organisation thrive. Don’t forget to add Finance Week to your board’s yearly calendar and keep your finances top of mind.
More resources:
Article by Barry Baker on XRB Reporting Standards
More about Incorporated Societies and XRB Reporting Standards from government
Recording of Board Talk: ‘Don’t Just Rely on the Treasurer’
Community Governance Aotearoa and Te Tumu Paeroa partnered to create a Māori Governance Toolkit
Trust Management resource on Ethical Investing
Mindful Money – Responsible Investing
Community Governance Aotearoa resource – ‘Knowing the Financials’
Community Governance Aotearoa resource – ‘Starting out Board Pack’
CommunityNet Introduction to Financial Management
SportNZ: A great selection of excellent resources for governance and financial guidance
CEO Financial Management Policy from Sport NZ
