Course Overview
Every non-profit organisation must manage its finances in a transparent and effective manner. Indeed, funders, donors and beneficiaries, very much depend on board directors and trustees to make best use of all of an organisation’s resources, finance included. In this course, we will take a practical look at the elements of financial management that non-profits must get right. This course can be accessed for 12 months after purchase.
Target Audience
This course is designed with the needs of social enterprises and growing non-profits in mind. It provides a practical hands-on approach to financial management for directors, senior managers and supervisors who do not have a background in accounting or finance.
Course Structure
The course is divided into 6 component parts and takes approx. 3 hours to review. Participants should allow for additional time to review the practical templates and suggested reading material which accompany the course. Topics are self-contained to facilitate micro-learning for the time conscious participant.
Lesson 1: Introduction to Financial Management
This lesson provides an overview of the elements of financial management and provides a helpful glossary of terms typically used in accounting and business language.
Topic 1: The Language of Finance
Topic 2: Four Elements of Effective Financial Management
Topic 3: Working with an Accountant
Lesson 2: Planning and Budgeting
Planning and budgeting are one of the cornerstone elements of financial management. Aside from ensuring that a workable and resourced plan of action is in place, non-profit boards and managers must also consider the risks associated with their organisations, the level of reserves to hold and sources of funding.
Topic 4: The Role of Planning
Topic 5: Cash Flow and Sustainability
Topic 6: Sources of Funding
Topic 7: The Role of Reserves
Topic 8: Risk Management
Lesson 3: Financial Bookkeeping
The element most commonly associated with financial management, financial bookkeeping requires organisations to keep proper books of account so that a true picture of assets, liabilities, income, expenditure and cash flow can be ascertained at all times.
Topic 9: Bookkeeping Fundamentals
Topic 10: Record Keeping
Topic 11: Costing Products and Services
Lesson 4: Financial Controls
Transparency and accountability are essential in any non-profit organisation. Hence, a number of financial controls are required to manage the finance function in an effective manner.
Topic 12: Setting Financial Controls
Topic 13: Procurement
Lesson 5: Financial Reporting
The fourth element of financial management focuses on financial reporting. Every non-profit organisation produces financial reports of varying levels of detail and complexity.
Topic 14: Financial Reporting – Technical Requirements
Topic 15: Interpreting Financial Statements
Topic 16: Data for Board Decision-making
Lesson 6: Financial Management Quick Links
In this final lesson, we provide a fast and easy-to-access list of all the templates and practical resources covered during lesson topics. Upon completion of the course, the lesson page can be accessed time and again to access and download practical ready to use forms and policy documents.
Note: Once an e-Learning course is booked, it could take up to 48 hours for login details to be provided.
NOTE: When booking, please make sure to input all the correct contact details into the booking form as the information will be used to create learner profiles. Should information be entered incorrectly it could delay the booking process.
Target Audience
This course is designed with the needs of social enterprises and growing non-profits in mind. It provides a practical hands-on approach to human resource management for directors, senior managers and supervisors who do not have a background in human resources management.
Course Overview
If your non-profit organisation employs staff, then be aware of the issues that can cause problems in the employer/employee relationship. Hire appropriately, manage fairly and motivate effectively if you wish to retain productive employees. All of this should happen within a human resources framework that adheres to all aspects of employment law, data protection and health and safety legislation. This course comes with a large amount of practical resources and templates which can be accessed for 12 months after purchase.
Outline
Course Structure
The course is divided into 7 component parts and takes approx. 6 hours to complete. Topics are self-contained to facilitate micro-learning for the time conscious participant
Lesson 1: Employing staff – Adhering to Legal Obligations
This lesson focuses on some of the practical considerations that must be addressed to ensure that an organisation complies with its obligations under Irish employment legislation. Three core topics are covered in this lesson.
Topic 1: Employment Law
Topic 2: Health and Safety
Topic 3: Data Protection
Lesson 2: Working with Suppliers
Most non-profits need to work with suppliers and contractors to get their products and services to market, or to help them to meet their reporting obligations. This course addresses the subject from the perspective of how to source suppliers and manage relationships.
Topic 4: Sourcing Suppliers and Contractors
Topic 5: Managing Supplier and Agency Relationships
Lesson 3: Recruiting Employees
The employee recruitment process is explored in lesson 3 and introduces participants to the many factors that impact the sourcing and recruiting of competent and motivated employees. Seven core topics comprise the lesson.
Topic 6: Human resources planning: staffing levels and business objectives
Topic 7: Setting terms and conditions of employment
Topic 8: Creating Job profiles
Topic 9: Sourcing employees
Topic 10: Screening and interviewing potential employees
Topic 11: Selection and reference checks
Topic 12: Staff induction and initial training
Topic 13: Community Employment Schemes
Topic 14: Hosting Work Placements
Lesson 4: Maintaining Employment Records
General data protection regulation aside, a non-profit is legally obliged to retain certain employment records for the people employed in the organisation. The lesson explores this important requirement from the perspective of setting up and retaining employment records.
Topic 15: Setting up staff files
Topic 16: Retaining employment records
Lesson 5: Managing and Motivating Employees
Managing and motivating employees is at the heart of human resource management. There are a multitude of factors that can affect staff motivation as reflected in the eight core topics that comprise the course.
Topic 17: Theories of motivation
Topic 18: Managing teams
Topic 19: Reward System
Topic 20: Setting performance standards
Topic 21: Managing performance
Topic 22: Recognising good performance
Topic 23: Handling grievances
Topic 24: Identifying staff training and development needs
Lesson 6: Developing Employment Policies
A social enterprise or non-profit demonstrates its commitment to adhering to employment legislation through the range of policies it adopts. Policies relating to the management of employees are typically contained in an employee or company handbook.
Topic 25: Identifying policy requirements
Topic 26: Setting internal controls
Topic 27: Developing an employee handbook
Lesson 7: Human Resources Templates
In this final lesson, we provide a fast and easy-to-access list of all the templates and practical resources covered during lesson topics. Upon completion of the course, the lesson page can be accessed time and again to access and download practical ready to use forms and policy documents.
Note: Once an e-Learning course is booked, it could take up to 48 hours for login details to be provided.
NOTE: When booking, please make sure to input all the correct contact details into the booking form as the information will be used to create learner profiles. Should information be entered incorrectly it could delay the booking process.
Target Audience
Are you a Board member / Senior Executive Officer of a voluntary or community group? Do you need to develop or enhance your understanding of Outputs & Outcomes?
Outline
This course can be accessed for up to 90 days after purchase.
Learn to understand the terminology, aims and objectives relating to outputs and outcomes.
Jargon Buster
- Stakeholder Needs
- Planning
- Action
- Monitoring
- Evaluation
- Results
Build a Planning Triangle
- Planning & Monitoring Performance
- Benefits of focusing on outcomes
- Outcomes in organisations
- Outcome indicators
- Measuring your progress
Understanding Monitoring and Evaluation
- Improving work with individuals
- Improving communication with current funders
- Motivating staff and clients
- Fundraising
- Reviewing resource allocation
- Planning services
- Identifying gaps
- Reducing negative outcomes
Using the Results
- Talking about results
- Reporting on your results
- Review
Target Audience
Are you a Board member / Senior Executive Officer of a voluntary or community group? Do you need to develop or enhance your understanding of Risk Management?
Outline
This course can be accessed for up to 90 days after purchase.
To enable learners develop a comprehensive understanding of Risk Management within an organisation and the tools which can be employed to minimise risk.
Understand Risk
- Identify and discuss examples of risk in an organisation (good risk / bad risk)
Understand Risk Categories
- Governance
- Strategic
- Compliance (Legal or Regulatory)
- Operational
- Financial
- Environmental or External
Understand Risk Management and Know Why It Is Important
- Identify and understand relevant risks
- Evaluate risks / Prioritise risks
- Monitor risks and report on their management
- May be a legal/regulatory/compliance requirement
- Reduce possibility of failing to realise objectives
- Reduce possibility of reputational damage
- Better decision making
- Recognise opportunities to benefit from risk
Understand What Makes A Good Risk Management System
- Risk Management Policy
- Risk Management Officer
- Risk Management Process
- Risk Register
- Systems and Controls
- Monitor and Report
Target Audience
This eLearning course is ideally suited to anyone holding the position of board director of a Company Limited by Guarantee, or by people filling the role of Company Secretary. It is also a valuable learning resource for staff members who support board governance.
Outline
This short interactive eLearning course explores the implications of The Companies Act 2014 for Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLG). The practical and easy-to-follow structure of the course is designed to get directors and company secretaries quickly up to speed with what they need to know to comply with the Act.
It is worth noting that all directors appointed to boards post June 1st, 2015 should be aware of their legal duties and undertake to comply with requirements set out in The Companies Act 2014.
This course can be accessed for up to 45 days after purchase.
Topics covered during the course include:
- Role of Company Members
- Legal Duties of Company Directors
- Company Directors – key requirements
- Role of Company Secretaries
- Legal duties of Company Secretaries
- Typical administrative duties of Company Secretaries
- Annual Return Dates
- Implications of The Companies Act 2014 for future registrations
- Implications of the Act for existing companies
- Declaration of Understanding
Each person taking this eLearning course can access and download a PDF copy of the BoardPASS Board Governance Handbook for Irish Non-Profits. A great resource for any board or committee member!
The course is run in collaboration with CramdenTECH, a governance systems and eLearning company providing skills based, micro-learning responsive content for Irish and UK markets.
Target Audience
Anyone wanting a good understanding of the knowledge and skills required to fulfill both the legal duties associated with the role and the administrative duties assigned to the role by the Board.
Outline
Every company limited by guarantee must appoint a Company Secretary. In a company limited by guarantee (the legal structure of choice for most non-profits in Ireland) this role is frequently filled by a board director or staff member. It is the responsibility of a board of directors to ensure that the person acting as its Company Secretary, has the necessary knowledge and skills to fulfil both the legal duties associated with the role and the administrative duties assigned to the role by the Board.
This course can be accessed for up to 60 days after purchase.
Course Structure
The e-learning course is divided into 10 component parts and takes approximately 1.5 hours to review. Practical templates are provided with course topics. Participants should allow for additional time to fully complete the practical work associated with the lessons in the course. Topics are self-contained to facilitate micro-learning for the time conscious participant.
1. Introduction: Company Law in Context
The Companies Act 2014 commenced on June 1st, 2015. In this introductory lesson, we will look at the implications of the Act for existing Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLG) and for those organisations who may wish to register as companies in the future.
2. Company Responsibilities
To identify the key legal responsibilities of a Company Limited by Guarantee.
3. Core Functions of a Board of Directors
To identify the core functions of the Board of Directors and the overarching principles of good corporate governance.
4. Fiduciary Duties of Company Directors
To identify the eight fiduciary duties of Company Directors as set out in Section 228 of The Companies Act 2014.
5. Shadow and De Facto Directors
It is helpful for a company secretary to understand what the terms shadow and de facto director mean. This lesson explains the concept of both.
6. Appointing a Company Secretary
In a CLG, directors must ensure that the Company Secretary has the skills necessary to carry out their role. This means that the appointment of the company secretary must be discussed at board level and the decision to appoint the company secretary recorded in board meeting minutes.
7. Legal Duties of a Company Secretary
This lesson identifies the legal duties of a Company Secretary.
8. Administrative Duties of a Company Secretary
In addition to the legal duties attaching to the role, a board of directors may also assign administrative duties to the company secretary.
9. The Company Constitution
In supporting the Board of Directors, a company secretary must be mindful of the company’s legal requirements to adhere to the the Companies Act 2014 and their reporting obligations to the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
10. Company Secretary: Key Skills
Aside from having very good organisational skills, interpersonal skills and communication skills, there are two practical skills that a board secretary should possess, i.e. the ability to set a meeting agenda in co-operation with the board Chairperson and the ability to take the minutes of board meetings. In this lesson, we look at this skills in more depth.
Upon successfully completing the course, participants may download free of charge a course Certificate of Completion.
Note: Once an e-Learning course is booked, it could take up to 48 hours for login details to be provided.
NOTE: When booking, please make sure to input all the correct contact details onto the booking form as the information will be used to create learner profiles. Should information be entered incorrectly it could delay the booking process.
Target Audience
This Level 2 course is aimed at departmental line managers, Heads of Function, company directors and those responsible for ensuring organisational compliance with the GDPR.
The other GDPR Level 1 e-learning is aimed at staff, supervisors and line managers working in data handling related positions with no experience of GDPR. The GDPR Level 2 e-learning is not a continuation of Level 1 and the GDPR modules do not need to be completed in succession.
Outline
The data protection regulation commonly referred to as the ‘GDPR’, came into force throughout the EU and EEA on May 25th, 2018. This regulation is highly significant for any organisation who handles or monitors the personal data of individuals within the EU and EEA.
The regulation aims to:
- Safeguard the personal data privacy rights of individuals.
- Heighten accountability for how personal data is acquired and handled.
The GDPR applies to organisations (and sole traders) who:
- collect, share and use the personal data of EU/EEA residents;
- or, who offer goods and services to, or monitors EU/EEA residents.
The GDPR applies, irrespective of the country where the organisation is established. Thus, the GDPR has expanded the territorial scope of EU data protection law.
This course can be accessed for up to 60 days after purchase.
Course Structure
The course is divided into 15 component parts and takes approximately two hours to complete. Practical templates are provided with course topics. Participants should allow for additional time to fully complete the practical work associated with the lessons in the course. Topics are self-contained to facilitate micro-learning for the time conscious participant.
1. Introduction to the GDPR
This introductory lesson will help you to familiarise yourself with what the General Data Protection Regulation is and who the Regulation applies to. It also provides you with an opportunity to learn about the Data Protection Principles that organisations must adhere if they are to comply with the GDPR when processing personal data.
2. Key Data Protection Terminology
Defining what we mean by the terms ‘Data Subject, ‘Data Controller’, ‘Data Processor’, ‘Data Processing’ and ‘Supervisory Authority’.
3. Strengthening the Rights of Individuals
This lesson provides you with an overview of the privacy rights of individuals and the compliance implications of the GDPR.
4. The Principle of Accountability
The Accountability Principle is highly significant, as it compels organisations to demonstrate how they are complying with the data protection principles contained in the GDPR. How organisations demonstrate or evidence compliance will reflect the nature of their activities and organisation size. But irrespective of how large an organisation is, accountability for and transparency in the processing of personal data is a must!
5. Complying with the GDPR
Building on what we learned about the rights of individuals in Lesson 3, in this lesson we look at some of the practical ways in which the GDPR may impact on staff (or charity volunteers) in their day-to-day work. It also provides participants with a quick summary of the actions that should be taken to ensure GDPR compliance.
6. Keeping Data Secure – Personal Top Tips
In this lesson we take a quick look at some of the things we can each do, to help keep personal data secure in our organisations.
7. Preparing a Compliance Strategy
A clear but focused compliance strategy articulated in a GDPR Action Plan will help everyone to better understand what steps an enterprise should take to achieve GDPR compliance.
8. The Data Journey
To ensure compliance with the GDPR, an organisation will need to identify any potential weaknesses in its current methods for handling personal and/or sensitive data. To ensure that there are no ‘weak’ points in how personal data is processed, it may be helpful to consider the journey that different types of personal data takes as it goes through the organisation.
9. Data Security
There is a significant number of factors to consider when reviewing data and cyber security within an organisation. In this lesson, we consider a checklist of questions that managers may find helpful to answer when reviewing data security in their organisations.
10. Data Breaches
The GDPR requires an organisation to be able to respond appropriately to a data breach incident.
11. Data Handling Processes
In this lesson, we consider how managers should approach a review of the processes relating to the handling and processing of personal data.
12. Policy Development and Documentation
Compliance with the GDPR will require organisations to review their policies around data protection. It is necessary for organisations to be able to document and evidence their compliance with the Regulation.
13. Staff Training
To ensure ongoing compliance with the GDPR and the organisation’s data protection policies, it will be necessary for all organisations to provide adequate training to staff and volunteers (where appropriate in non-profits). In this lesson, we provide you with resources to support you in this task.
14. GDPR Management Review
GDPR makes data protection a board-level topic that should appear on the agendas of directors and management committees for discussion. The consequences for an organisation of a data breach can be significant and therefore a board of directors (or management committee) must ensure that adequate policies and procedures are in place to safeguard personal and sensitive data and protect the reputation of the organisation.
15. Course Assessment
Upon successful completion of the final course assessment each participant will be able to independently download a Certificate of Course Completion.
Note: Once an e-Learning course is booked, it could take up to 48 hours for login details to be provided.
NOTE: When booking, please make sure to input all the correct contact details onto the booking form as the information will be used to create learner profiles. Should information be entered incorrectly it could delay the booking process.
Target Audience
‘The General Data Protection Regulation course – Level 1’ is aimed at staff, supervisors and line managers working in data handling related positions.
The other GDPR Level 2 e-learning is for departmental line managers, Heads of Function, company directors and those responsible for ensuring organisational compliance with the GDPR and would have a basic level of GDPR knowledge already. The GDPR Level 2 e-learning is not a continuation of Level 1 and the GDPR modules do not need to be completed in succession.
Outline
The data protection regulation commonly referred to as the ‘GDPR’, came into force throughout the EU and EEA on May 25th, 2018. This regulation is highly significant for any organisation that handles or monitors the personal data of individuals within the EU and EEA.
The regulation aims to:
- Safeguard the personal data privacy rights of individuals.
- Heighten accountability for how personal data is acquired and handled.
The GDPR applies to organisations that:
- collect, share and use the personal data of EU/EEA residents;
- offer goods and services to, or monitor EU/EEA residents.
The GDPR applies, irrespective of the country where the organisation is established. Thus, the GDPR has expanded the territorial scope of EU data protection law.
This course can be accessed for up to 30 days after purchase.
The First Step to Compliance – GDPR Level 1
This Level 1 course provides you with an overview of the Regulation and the significance of the GDPR for organisations large and small. It provides a practical first step to understanding the potential implications of GDPR for your organisation.
The Level 1 course may be used as part of staff awareness training around the GDPR.
Please note that our Level 2 course is designed to meet the needs of managers, Heads of Function or charity trustees who are responsible for planning or leading GDPR compliance within their organisations.
Course Structure
The course is divided into seven component parts and takes approximately 1 hour to complete. Practical templates are provided with course topics. Participants should allow for additional time to fully complete the practical work associated with the final lessons in the course. Topics are self-contained to facilitate micro-learning for the time conscious participant.
1. Introduction to the GDPR
This introductory lesson will help you to familiarise yourself with what the General Data Protection Regulation is and who the Regulation applies to. It also provides you with an opportunity to learn about the Data Protection Principles that organisations must adhere if they are to comply with the GDPR when processing personal data.
2. Key Data Protection Terminology
Defining what we mean by the terms ‘Data Subject, ‘Data Controller’, ‘Data Processor’, ‘Data Processing’ and ‘Supervisory Authority’.
3. Strengthening the Rights of Individuals
This lesson provides you with an overview of the privacy rights of individuals and the compliance implications of the GDPR.
4. The Principle of Accountability
The Accountability Principle is highly significant, as it compels organisations to demonstrate how they are complying with the data protection principles contained in the GDPR. How organisations demonstrate or evidence compliance will reflect the nature of their activities and organisation size. But irrespective of how large an organisation is, accountability for and transparency in the processing of personal data is a must!
5. Complying with the GDPR
Building on what we learned about the rights of individuals in Lesson 3, in this lesson we look at some of the practical ways in which the GDPR may impact on staff (or volunteers) in their day-to-day work. It also provides participants with a quick summary of the actions that should be taken to ensure GDPR compliance.
6. Keeping Data Secure – Personal Top Tips
In this lesson of the Level 1 – GDPR course, we take a quick look at some of the things we can each do, to help keep personal data secure in our organisations.
7. Course Assessment
Upon successful completion of the final course assessment each participant will be able to independently download a Certificate of Course Completion.
Note: Once an e-Learning course is booked, it could take up to 48 hours for login details to be provided.
NOTE: When booking, please make sure to input all the correct contact details onto the booking form as the information will be used to create learner profiles. Should information be entered incorrectly it could delay the booking process.