Guidance for working with the voluntary and community sector

Guidance provided by the Department for Finance

Accountability and Financial Management Division in the Department of Finance provides a range of guidance in relation to corporate governance, financial reporting and the public audit process covering many aspects of grant funding to voluntary sector organisations.

In addition the Central Procurement Directorate within Department of Finance reviews and develops procurement policy and provides procurement services to the public sector which may also be relevant when dealing with the voluntary and community sector.

• Guidance issued by Accountability and Financial Management Division
• Economic Appraisal Guidance
• Central Procurement Directorate

The Code of Practice for reducing bureaucracy in grant funding

This Code of practice for reducing bureaucracy in grant funding to the voluntary and community sector sets out ways that can help reduce the bureaucracy associated with revenue grant funding to the voluntary and community sector.

It contains guidance on matters including:

• lead funder arrangements
• longer term funding arrangements
• simplifying application processes
• making greater use of the Government Funding Database
• reporting and monitoring arrangements
• verifying claims and issuing prompt payments

The best practice principles set out in this code build on the recommendations set out in the Addressing Bureaucracy – A report on tackling bureaucracy in government funding to the Voluntary and Community Sector (April 2013).

Financial systems and controls assessment of voluntary and community organisations

Financial systems and controls assessment of voluntary and community organisations is an agreed method for assessing the financial controls operating within voluntary and community sector organisations.

It applies to organisations receiving revenue grants over £30,000 and determines the level of financial competence of the organisations. Depending on the outcome of the assessment funders may determine future easements to be put in place to reduce bureaucracy for those organisations considered to have robust processes.

Governance

Governance is about the way organisations are managed and run. The Best practice manual to finance and governance in the voluntary and community sector highlights and illustrates best practice principles which government would expect to find in a well run organisation.

The Fraud policy statement templates and model fraud response plan can be used by voluntary and community organisation to develop fraud policy statements and a fraud response plan.

Training on a range of governance issues is provided by NIVCA and a number of other voluntary sector organisations.

Government Funding Database

The Government Funding Database holds records of applications and funding to voluntary and community sector organisations. This enables public sector funders to share information. It can simplify and speed up the application and decision making process for organisations.

Guidance to funders and purchasers

Improving financial relationships with the third sector: guidance to funders and purchasers sets out best practice and provides advice on the efficient and effective use of public funds in dealing with the voluntary and community sector in a way that is consistent with the principles of public accountability.

The voluntary and community sector may find the guidance helpful to understand better the considerations of funding bodies during the funding process. This includes guidance on full cost recovery.

Contacts

If you have any queries please contact Voluntary and Community Unit.