Course Content
Wycas runs a number of standard courses mainly as part of the local CVS training programmes. If you would like some training on a subject not on this list please contact your local Community Accountant in the first instance. We can also tailor our courses for specific organisation or clusters of organisations.
Basic bookkeeping - Full day course
On this day course you will learn:
* how to record your money in and out
* how to match them to what the bank says (and/or the petty cash tin balance)
* how to produce a simple finance report
Your WYCAS tutor will lead the session, working through a practical exercise, so that you will be able to set up and use a paper-based recording method for your organisation.
Building a budget - Full day course
This course will consider and use examples to show:
* what is a budget and how to put one together
* delving into detail: producing a month-by-month cash flow forecast
* why it is useful
Whether you want a budget for a funding bid or for your organisation's management, budgets are a crucial part of planning. We will use templates and a step-by-step practical example to unravel the mystery!
The Price is right! How to make sure you are covering your costs - Full day course
This course shows you how to cost a contract or service:
It will enable you to:
* distinguish between direct costs and overheads
* split these costs across your projects / activities
* calculate the income needed to cover the project costs
You will use a fictional organisation to work through the calculations, with the guidance of your WYCAS tutor.
Good Financial Foundations - Half day course
What does your organisation need to do to get a good finance system in place?
* Plan - work out the financial plan (budget)
* Record - keep a structured record of transactions
* Report - at year end and during the year
* Procedures - have some ground rules and systems
This half day course will consider these 4 elements, discussing what is recommended and why, plus giving you some templates to go away with.
Understanding annual accounts - Half day course
In half a day you will:
* be familiar with the different types of year-end financial statements
* understand key accountancy terms
* know how to interpret the figures
Your WYCAS tutor will talk through the theory, showing you examples. You are invited to bring along your organisation's last accounts, to apply your new-found knowledge.
How are we doing? Using Management Accounts - Half day course
In this half day course you will understand
* why you should produce management accounts
* how they can be presented
* how to interpret the information
Your WYCAS tutor will use examples to explore alternative presentations and things to look out for.
Quickbooks for beginners - Full day course
If you're thinking of setting up on Quickbooks, or are starting in a role using the system, this course will provide an introduction:
- how to set up the organisation
- how to record receipts and payments
- how to reconcile to a bank statement
- how to run simple reports
The group will work through an example organisation to give you hands on experience of using the accounting package.
Quickbooks intermediate - Full day course
Getting more from the system. This course will cover:
* how to raise and process invoices on Quickbooks
* how to enter bills and record their payment
* how to enter budgets
Reports linked to each of these will be explored, using a fictional organisation to put the theory into practice.
Some hands on experience of using Quickbooks is recommended.
Taking care of the cash: Financial controls - Half day course
Be prepared! Don't shut the stable door after the horse has bolted….
Spend half a day to help yourself:
* explore the issues around managing cash and resources
* identify, control and reduce the risks
* take away some draft procedures to put these into practice
What does the Treasurer do? - Half day course
Thinking of taking up this role? Want to advertise for this post? In this half day session we'll consider:
* the responsibilities of the management committee and special responsibilities of the treasurer
* skills and qualities useful for your treasurer
* practical things which the treasurer may do
Your WYCAS tutor will guide you through discussion exercises on roles and prolem scenarios.
Preparing for the year end - Half day course
What to do at the end of your financial year and why:
* know what determines how you have to report
* be prepared (with the required records and documents)
* understand the resulting reports.
Your WYCAS tutor will guide you through has to be fed in to the accountants and what comes out from them! This will save you stress and money at the year end.
Spreadsheets for Beginners -
What is a spreadsheet? Can it save me work?
This course is aimed at beginners and will:
* give you an understanding of how they work
* build experience and confidence in setting up and using spreadsheets
* equip you to start using a spreadsheet for financial recording.
Financial practice and procedures - Five day level 3 NOCN accredited course
Aim To enable participants to develop a clear understanding of the basic principles of good financial practice and procedures in voluntary and community organisations.
Accreditation This is a 5-day course, accredited at level 3 by the National Open College Network (NOCN). There will be approximately 25 hours directed learning in class and learners will be expected to complete 5 assessed tasks in their own time, each taking about 2 to 3 hours. If successful, the learners will be awarded 3 NOCN credits (1 credit equates to 10 hours of learning). To give an idea of the standard required, NOCN level 3 is similar to the standard expected at AS level.
Who is it for? People who wish to be awarded NOCN credits and who will be involved to some degree in the financial management of an organisation in the voluntary and community sector. This could be staff, volunteers, committee members, trustees and directors.
Content The course will cover the following 5 areas: Record keeping, budgeting and cash flow forecasting, producing finance reports for the committee/trustees etc, assessing areas of financial risk and applying financial controls, understanding the legal framework for the year-end reporting and scrutiny.
Each day will involve some background theory, group discussion and exercises to apply theory to various situations.
Pre-course counselling Before booking on the course, please ensure that you contact one of the tutors to ensure that the course is appropriate for you.
Methods for all courses - The subjects and material will be presented in an accessible and user-friendly way using group work, discussion, handouts and practical exercises