Intermediate Finance

This free online course builds on the Introduction to Finance course, also available on The Learning Hub. It is designed for both civil society organisation (CSO) programme and finance staff seeking to strengthen their financial management skills and improve financial accountability and reporting practices.

The course can be completed as a standalone online learning experience or in a blended format, which includes video lessons followed by a synchronous in-person workshop. A Facilitator Guide is available to support delivery of the workshop, and all templates and tools are available for download. The course duration is 4.5 hours.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
LO1: Explain the role and importance of internal controls in strengthening financial accountability and reducing organisational risk
LO2: Describe how to manage external grants through agreements, donor requirements, and fund classification
LO3: Explain how revenue is recognised, including restricted, unrestricted, and in-kind income
LO4: Describe how fixed assets and inventory are recorded, managed, and controlled throughout their lifecycle
LO5: Explain key financial year-end processes used to ensure accurate financial reporting
LO6: Describe the purpose and structure of financial statements, including trial balance, income and expenditure, and balance sheet
LO7: Explain the role of audits in ensuring financial compliance and organisational accountability
LO8: Describe how filing systems and document management practices support financial transparency and audit readiness

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Apply internal control systems to strengthen financial oversight and reduce the risk of errors or fraud
• Manage donor funds in line with agreements, compliance requirements, and reporting obligations
• Accurately classify and record different types of income, including restricted, unrestricted, and in-kind contributions
• Maintain effective systems for managing organisational assets and inventory throughout their lifecycle
• Support and contribute to financial year-end processes and the preparation of financial statements
• Interpret key financial reports to support organisational decision-making and accountability
• Participate in audit processes and respond appropriately to audit findings and requirements
• Organise financial records using structured filing systems that support transparency and audit readiness

This course was produced as part of the Aga Khan Foundation’s Civil Society Programme.

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