Financial services for charities
& the third sector

Third FD offers a wide range of bespoke financial strategic support services to charities and the third sector, with flexibility that allows us to meet the individual needs of every client. Our financial expertise covers all charity sectors. 

Financial leadership services

Insight & forecasting 

Financial insights and forecasts give you and your trustees confidence in financial decision making and helps create a strategic blueprint for action that will improve financial performance or solve an issue. Areas covered are: 

  • Cash runway, forecasting and position. 

  • Monthly financial performance against budget and analysis. 

  • Tracking and analysing financial trends. 

  • Cash management. 

  • Fundraising and resource allocation.  

  • Monthly rolling forecasts.

Planning & strategy 

We assess your charity's current financial position., then agree goals, creating a detailed financial strategy, and a plan that optimises resource allocation and facilitates informed decision making to help secure long-term financial stability. It involves: 

  • Analysing trends in costs, fundraising, donation, membership and other income. 

  • Developing a comprehensive plan that addresses short-term and long-term financial objectives.  

  • Budgeting and forecasting, process improvement, implementing technology, and organisational structure efficiency.  

Reporting 

We produce bespoke Management Information and present to any number of stakeholders, most importantly your Board of Trustees and Finance and Audit Committee. This includes: 

  • Monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to the charity board of trustees, donors and banks.   

  • Management Information as a succinct and digestible summary of the charity's financial status to identify priority areas of focus and any red flags relevant to the audience. 

  • Point of contact for banks, funders and financial leads at board and trustee meetings. 

Financial control services

Audit support

If your charity has over £1m turnover (or £250k and £3.26m in assets) it requires an annual financial audit.  We lead the audit from the charity’s perspective, liaising with accountants and other 3rd parties to ensure a smooth and successful process. We support by:  

  • Examining financial records and statements to verify their accuracy and completeness, running a ‘pre-audit audit’. 

  • Ensuring correct policies and procedures are in place, and all transactions have supporting documentation and sound financial controls.   

  • Liaising with the auditors at all stages, working with the finance team to prep the reports, and reporting to the Finance and Audit Committee and the Board of Trustees on the results and subsequent actions.   

Processes & governance  

Robust financial controls and governance frameworks help charities maintain public trust, attract donors, and demonstrate responsible stewardship of resources. We assess your charity’s current systems and processes that have been put in place to manage and monitor financial activities effectively. Here's what we offer:  

  • Establishing clear procedures for budgeting, expenditure approval, financial reporting, and compliance with regulatory requirements. 

  • Ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in the use of funds, safeguarding against misuse or mismanagement. 

  • Implementing and reviewing organisational policies to establish controls and compliance with the Charity Commission.

Financial support services

CEO support & ad hoc services

Every CEO needs a shoulder to lean on, a right hand man/woman, someone to call for advice and support decision making. 

We are the charity CEO’s ‘number 2’, reducing their financial workload and supporting complex financial decision making at board and exec level.

Other ad hoc work we have led on or been involved with:

  • Audit and investment partner tenders

  • Incorporating tech to streamline processes

  • Policy creation

  • Investment strategy planning

  • Longevity planning

  • Company Secretary duties

“After only a few months of working with Ben, I am already feeling the tangible benefits of him joining our team as a part-time virtual FD. Ben has taken a significant burden off my shoulders, freeing up my time to focus on other areas of our operations and I would encourage anyone in a similar situation to consider his services.”

- Rachel Roberts, CEO of Homeopathy Research Institute  

Client testimonials

  • "Although Ben is a consultant it feels like he is an integral part of the team. I can not recommend him highly enough."

    Alice Barnard, CEO, Edge Foundation

  • "Ben has taken a significant burden off my shoulders, freeing up my time to focus on other areas of our operations."

    Rachel Roberts, CEO, Homeopathic Research Institute

  • "Ben has reviewed and updated processes within the finance department, automating ways of working to help us streamline our practices."

    Liz Eagling-Vose, COO, Avaxzipen

  • "Having Ben come on board and shine the spotlight on our company finances has been a godsend."

    Tristan Johnson, Director and Co-owner, McKenzie & Co Financial Consultants

  • "Ben has been a source of great help for FORT as he built our initial forecasts, helped us to make sound financial decisions and provided both short and long-term insights."

    Tim Gelardi, FORT Merchanting

More about our clients

Get in touch

We’d be delighted to discuss with you how we can help your charity or third sector organisation thrive. 

Please fill in our contact form to receive a quick response to your query, or email ben@thirdfd.com  

Alternatively, you can call Ben on 07767 706216 during office hours (9-5pm). 

You can also message Ben on LinkedIn