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MSc/PgDip/PgCert
Charity Accounting and Financial Management

Location
Southwark
Other venues around the UK dependent on interest for Blended Learning (a mixture of CDROM audio lectures, online learning and study rooms with access to lecturers via our online site or email).

Duration
2 years plus dissertation (part-time)

Start date
September

Number of places
25 at Southwark, 25 on Blended Learning

Simple timetable information
Thursday afternoons and evenings for the attended basis. 1 day per semester plus 3 afternoons for examinations for the blended basis.

How to apply
Direct to LSBU

LSBU code
1181

Course contact
Nigel Scott
scottne@lsbu.ac.uk – 020 7815 7760

Course units

Units cover:

– Charity Finance and Accounting

– Marketing

– Managing People

– Charity Law

– Voluntary Sector Financial Management

– Advanced Charity Accounting

– Taxation of Charities

– Research Methods

The taught units of the PgDip are assessed by a mixture of coursework project assignments and by examination at the end of some units. To progress to the MSc, it is necessary to successfully complete the 8 PgDip taught units. These include a Research Methods unit which requires the acceptance of a research proposal that will form the basis of the Masters dissertation.


Course description

A higher degree in Charity Accounting and Finance will be of interest to any senior finance manager in the voluntary sector generally or in a specific charity.

The course recognises that aspects of charity management are different to both the private sector and the public sector. There is no unifying theory of profit-motive as in the private sector, nor the formal statutory framework which often regulates public sector organisations. This course is designed to meet the need for a rounded professional understanding of the legal requirements, theories and practices of management in the charity sector. It focuses on the two functional disciplines vital to any charity operation: accountability for and stewardship of funds.

The core objectives of the Charity Accounting and Finance course include: providing opportunities for you to share experiences from your own organisation’s perspective, developing a theoretical framework and practical knowledge of accounting and finance in charities, and extending your knowledge by the use of research papers and authoritative texts. As a result, the course contains a mix of academic and vocational subjects ranging from accounting standards to more specialist subjects like risk management and the effective use of Gift Aid.

Career opportunities

The course should help you progress to senior positions in charity finance. Recent evidence shows that even at the PgDip stage students have been successful in gaining promotions in their own or in external charities or professional firms advising charities. Many of the past and current Trustees of the Charity Finance Directors’ Group hold MSc qualifications gained with us.

Typical background of applicant

Finance managers and senior finance staff working in charities or other voluntary organisations.

Professional contacts/industry links

The MSc/PgDip Charity Accounting and Finance is supported by the Charity Finance Directors’ Group.

Recent guest lecturers

– Eddie Finch and Katherine Patel, Partners, Buzzacotts Chartered Accountants

– Charles Mesquita, Fund Manager, Rensburg Sheppards

– Stephen Gilbert, Chief Executive, Printers Charitable Corporation

– Nick Kavanagh, Director of Finance, Save The Children Fund UK