Manual of Practical Management for Third World Rural Development Associations: Financial management

Written in a simple and direct style useful for training administrators of small groups or associations and those who manage development projects. Volume 2 of this guide covers all aspects of financing an association. The second volume looks at all aspects of financial management for small development NGOs and associations. Financing an association and its activities is considered first including non-financial resources, fundraising and local financing. It suggests credit and savings as a way to reduce dependency on donors. It continues with how to organise savings and credit systems and how to manage money with accounting systems, budgets and cash flows. Financial management of small projects, accounting systems and profit and loss accounts are considered in more detail. Case studies and sample forms are given at the back. As in the first volume, the index aims to guide readers to the section they want using keywords. A glossary explains all the financial terms used. The book would be useful to small organisations with little experience of financial management or as a training resource. It is also a good introduction to some alternatives to donor funding.

Linden Vincent is Professor of Irrigation at t he Department of Irrigation and Soil and Water Conservation, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands, and was formerly a Research Fellow at t he Overseas Development Institute.