The Nonprofit Bookkeeper

Aishat
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Biweekly

The Nonprofit Bookkeeper shines a light on purpose-driven organisations — from charities and social enterprises to impact-led businesses. Hosted by Aishat, a finance and operations expert, this show blends practical financial tips, real-life stories, and strategic guidance for founders, funders, and changemakers. Expect solo episodes, expert guests, and honest conversations about money, mission, and making a difference.

  1. 2026 Small Charities Week – Day 2: Cashflow Pressure Doesn't Always Mean Failure

    9h ago

    2026 Small Charities Week – Day 2: Cashflow Pressure Doesn't Always Mean Failure

    🎁 Download your free Day 2 resource: Cashflow Warning Signs Checklist here Pick up a copy of my newly published interactive, activity-based resource designed to help build confidence with charity finance terminology:: Charity Finance A–Z: A Creative Crossword & Colouring Book Or explore the glossary-style guide: Charity Finance from A - Z Cashflow is one of the most common sources of stress for charity leaders, trustees, and finance staff. A delayed grant payment, an upcoming payroll run, or a lower-than-expected bank balance can quickly create anxiety. But does cashflow pressure automatically mean a charity is in trouble? In this episode, Aishat explores the important distinction between cashflow challenges and organisational sustainability. She discusses common causes of cashflow pressure, explains why timing issues and sustainability issues are not the same thing, and shares practical questions trustees and leaders should be asking. The goal isn't to eliminate concern. It's to help organisations respond with greater clarity, confidence, and calm. KEY TAKEAWAY Cashflow pressure does not automatically mean organisational failureTiming and sustainability are different challengesBank balances only tell part of the storyBEST MOMENTS "Cash flow isn't something they read about in a report, it's something they feel." "One of the biggest misconceptions is that cash flow problems only happen in struggling organizations." "A timing problem asks, when will the money arrive? While a sustainability problem asks, will enough money arrive at all?" REFLECTION QUESTION Are you currently dealing with a timing issue or a sustainability issue? Understanding the difference may change the conversation entirely. ABOUT YOUR HOST Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice –BAnC Services – which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector. With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits, while also shining a light on the often unseen and unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission. She is the author of Charity Finance from A to Z“ – a practical guide designed to demystify finance for those working in the charity sector. Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk CONNECT Instagram TikTok

    11 min
  2. 2026 Small Charity Week – Day 1: Strong Finance Without a Big Finance Team

    1d ago

    2026 Small Charity Week – Day 1: Strong Finance Without a Big Finance Team

    🎁 As part of Small Charities Week, I've created a free Finance Health Check to help you identify strengths, gaps, and priorities in your charity's finance arrangements. Download it here Pick up a copy of my newly published interactive, activity-based resource designed to help build confidence with charity finance terminology:: Charity Finance A–Z: A Creative Crossword & Colouring Book Or explore the glossary-style guide: Charity Finance from A - Z Small charities are often expected to meet the same financial standards as much larger organisations, but without the same resources, systems, or staffing. In this opening episode of Small Charities Week 2026, Aishat explores what good finance really looks like when you're working with a small team, limited capacity, and competing priorities. This episode looks at proportionate finance management, the difference between capacity and capability, common risks faced by small charities, and the practical foundations that support financial sustainability. This conversation offers a realistic framework for building stronger financial foundations without unnecessary complexity. KEY TAKEAWAY Capacity and capability are not the same thingGood finance is built on strong foundationsFinance is about confidence, not just complianceBEST MOMENTS ""Finance should always be proportionate." "Good finance isn't about having the biggest team. It's about having the right foundations." QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION As you listened, how would your organisation answer these questions? Do we know our current cash position?Can we identify our restricted funds?Are all bank accounts reconciled?Are trustees receiving useful financial information?Could someone else step in if our key finance person became unavailable?ABOUT YOUR HOST Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice –BAnC Services – which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector. With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits, while also shining a light on the often unseen and unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission. She is the author of Charity Finance from A to Z“ – a practical guide designed to demystify finance for those working in the charity sector. Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk CONNECT Instagram TikTok

    16 min
  3. What Trustees Should Expect From Management Accounts. And What They Shouldn't

    Jun 9

    What Trustees Should Expect From Management Accounts. And What They Shouldn't

    Pick up a copy of my newly published interactive, activity-based resource designed to help build confidence with charity finance terminology:: Charity Finance A–Z: A Creative Crossword & Colouring Book Or explore the glossary-style guide: Charity Finance from A - Z In this episode, Aishat explores what management accounts are really designed to do, why they matter for good governance, and how trustees can use them to support better decision-making. She discusses the difference between receiving information and creating understanding, the role of judgement in financial oversight, and why asking the right questions often matters more than finding the right answers. Whether you're a trustee, CEO, finance lead, or senior manager, this episode will help you think differently about the reports in your board pack. KEY TAKEAWAY Management accounts are about understanding, not just reportingTrustees should expect insight, context, and visibility of risk from management accountsThe quality of the discussion matters as much as the quality of the reportBEST MOMENTS "Management accounts are not there to tell you everything, but they should help you ask better questions. And often, in governance, the quality of our questions matters just as much as the quality of our answers." QUESTIONS FOR TRUSTEES AND BOARDS As you review your next set of management accounts, consider: Do these reports help us understand what is happening in the organisation?Are we focusing on the right numbers?What risks or trends are emerging?Are we receiving enough context to make informed decisions?Would a new trustee understand these reports?Are we discussing the implications of the numbers, or simply reviewing them?ABOUT YOUR HOST Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice –BAnC Services – which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector. With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits, while also shining a light on the often unseen and unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission. She is the author of Charity Finance from A to Z“ – a practical guide designed to demystify finance for those working in the charity sector. Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk CONNECT Instagram TikTok

    19 min
  4. Reporting by Activity: Does Your Reporting Reflect How You Operate?

    May 12

    Reporting by Activity: Does Your Reporting Reflect How You Operate?

    Pick up a copy of my newly published interactive, activity-based resource designed to help build confidence with charity finance terminology:: Charity Finance A–Z: A Creative Crossword & Colouring Book Or explore the glossary-style guide: Charity Finance from A - Z In this episode, Aishat explores a question many charities are quietly wrestling with as discussions around the updated Charity SORP continue: Should charities continue reporting expenditure under one broad “charitable activities” heading, or is it time to break reporting down by programme, service area, or activity? This is not simply a technical accounting conversation. It is a governance conversation. A visibility conversation. And ultimately, a decision-making conversation. The episode explores how this issue can show up differently in small charities, growing organisations, and larger, more established charities with complex structures and multiple funding streams. KEY TAKEAWAY Organisational growth often creates complexity faster than reporting structures evolve.Financial reporting should help organisations tell an honest and useful story about their mission, activities, complexity, and reality.Reporting by activity is not a brand-new concept introduced by the updated Charity SORP. The principle of helping readers understand how resources are used has existed for a long time.BEST MOMENTS “Your accounts are part of your organisation’s storytelling too.” “Compliance should not be the ceiling; it should be the baseline.” “Your accounts are part of your organisation’s storytelling too.” ABOUT YOUR HOST Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice –BAnC Services – which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector. With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits, while also shining a light on the often unseen and unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission. She is the author of Charity Finance from A to Z“ – a practical guide designed to demystify finance for those working in the charity sector. Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers in navigating financial challenges and champions financial literacy among young Black adults. She thrives in conversations about money, empowerment, and purposeful work. Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk CONNECT Instagram TikTok

    14 min
  5. Where Are Your Reserves, Really? Looking Beyond the Headline Figure

    Apr 14

    Where Are Your Reserves, Really? Looking Beyond the Headline Figure

    Pick up a copy of my newly published interactive, activity-based resource designed to help build confidence with charity finance terminology:: Charity Finance A–Z: A Creative Crossword & Colouring Book Or explore the glossary-style guide: Charity Finance from A - Z Reserves are often expressed as months of expenditure, which can feel reassuring — but the reality is often more nuanced. A charity may report healthy reserves and still experience periods where cash feels tight or flexibility feels limited. This episode explores why reserves do not always match the bank balance, particularly in larger or more complex organisations, and how reserves interact with cashflow, funding structures, and operational commitments. The aim is to help trustees and senior leaders interpret reserves with greater confidence, supporting calmer, more informed governance and decision-making. KEY TAKEAWAY Reserves are not the same as cash in the bank — they represent overall financial capacity, not necessarily immediate liquidity.Headline reserves figures may appear strong while underlying flexibility is more limited.Understanding how reserves interact with cashflow, funding structure, and strategy helps boards interpret financial information with greater confidence.BEST MOMENTS “Reserves are not a separate bank account. They are an accounting concept derived from the organisation’s balance sheet position.” “So although the reserves figure is real, it does not necessarily mean the organisation has that amount sitting freely in its bank account.” “Reserves describe financial capacity. Cashflow describes financial timing.” ABOUT YOUR HOST Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice –BAnC Services – which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector. With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits, while also shining a light on the often unseen and unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission. She is the author of Charity Finance from A to Z“ – a practical guide designed to demystify finance for those working in the charity sector. Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers in navigating financial challenges and champions financial literacy among young Black adults. She thrives in conversations about money, empowerment, and purposeful work. Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk CONNECT Instagram TikTok

    18 min
  6. Two Years In: Reflections on Governance, Finance and Decision-Making

    Mar 26

    Two Years In: Reflections on Governance, Finance and Decision-Making

    Grab your copy of my book Charity Finance from A - Z Check out ExpensePlus and sign up for a month's free trial and 10% off your first year's subscription, using my referral link http://expenseplus.co.uk/r/AI-BANC This episode marks two years of the podcast with a quiet reflection on what has emerged through conversations with trustees, CEOs and charity leaders. Across organisations of different sizes, some themes continue to appear and at the same time, there are encouraging shifts. This episode explores how governance conversations are evolving, why familiarity with financial language matters, and how confidence grows over time. Also mentioned in this episode: Charity Finance A–Z: A Creative Crossword & Colouring Book — an activity-based resource designed to help build confidence with charity finance terminology in a calm, practical way. KEY TAKEAWAY Finance conversations still shape the quality of board decisions, yet often receive the least time and engagement in meetings..Silence in boardrooms does not always signal agreement — sometimes it signals uncertainty, fatigue, or discomfort with financial language.Confidence with finance often grows through familiarity, not complexity.As organisations grow, systems and processes can experience strain, often showing up first in financial reporting.BEST MOMENTS “Governance is rarely about perfect information. It’s about making thoughtful decisions with incomplete information.” “Governance can feel abstract. Numbers feel solid. But they rarely tell the whole story on their own.” ABOUT YOUR HOST Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice –BAnC Services – which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector. With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits, while also shining a light on the often unseen and unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission. She is the author of Charity Finance from A to Z“ – a practical guide designed to demystify finance for those working in the charity sector. Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers in navigating financial challenges and champions financial literacy among young Black adults. She thrives in conversations about money, empowerment, and purposeful work. Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk CONNECT Instagram TikTok

    20 min
  7. Why Reserves Don’t Appear on the Face of Charity Accounts

    Mar 10

    Why Reserves Don’t Appear on the Face of Charity Accounts

    Grab your copy of my book Charity Finance from A - Z Check out ExpensePlus and sign up for a month's free trial and 10% off your first year's subscription, using my referral link http://expenseplus.co.uk/r/AI-BANC In this episode, I respond to a question I hear often in boardrooms when presenting final accounts: “Why aren’t the reserves shown on the face of the accounts?” It’s a fair question, and a healthy one. But answering it requires translating between governance thinking and accounting structure, so that what I do - unpack 'reserves'. This episode is for trustees, chairs, treasurers, CEOs, and anyone responsible for financial oversight who wants to feel more confident reading charity accounts. KEY TAKEAWAY Reserves are not a separate accounting line, they are part of unrestricted funds.Not all unrestricted funds are freely available; some may be designated or tied up in assets.The face of the accounts shows classification and not governance interpretation.Strong boards monitor reserves during the year, not just at year end.Questions Trustees Can Ask (about reserves) How many months of operating costs do those reserves cover?Are we meeting our reserves target? If not, what is the plan?What assumptions underpin our reserves policy?BEST MOMENTS “When trustees ask where the reserves are, it comes from responsibility. “If you want to understand reserves properly, look in three places.” “Reserves are not missing from your accounts, they’re embedded within them.” ABOUT YOUR HOST Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice –BAnC Services – which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector. With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits, while also shining a light on the often unseen and unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission. She is the author of Charity Finance from A to Z“ – a practical guide designed to demystify finance for those working in the charity sector. Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers in navigating financial challenges and champions financial literacy among young Black adults. She thrives in conversations about money, empowerment, and purposeful work. Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk CONNECT Instagram TikTok

    14 min
  8. Two Numbers, Two Stories: Cash vs Surplus

    Feb 10

    Two Numbers, Two Stories: Cash vs Surplus

    Grab your copy of my book Charity Finance from A - Z Check out ExpensePlus and sign up for a month's free trial and 10% off your first year's subscription, using my referral link http://expenseplus.co.uk/r/AI-BANC “We’ve got money in the bank, so why are you saying we’re tight?” This episode tackles one of the most common (and costly) misunderstandings in charity finance: confusing cash with surplus. In calm, plain English, Aishat explains why these two numbers often tell very different stories; and how mixing them up can lead boards into false reassurance, unnecessary panic, or poor strategic decisions. This is an essential listen for trustees, CEOs, and senior leaders who want to understand the numbers without fear, jargon, or judgement. KEY TAKEAWAY Cash is timing. Surplus is performance. They are connected, but they are not the same. Understanding the difference helps boards move from fear to clarity, and from reactive decisions to confident governance. BEST MOMENTS “Cash answers one question: what can we physically pay today?” “Surplus tells you whether you lived within your means — not how much money you have.” “Cash feels real. Surplus feels abstract. That’s why boards mix them up.” “This isn’t a performance problem — it’s a cashflow issue.” “Financial clarity isn’t about control. It’s about confidence.” ABOUT YOUR HOST Aishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice –BAnC Services – which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector. With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits, while also shining a light on the often unseen and unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission. She is the author of Charity Finance from A to Z“ – a practical guide designed to demystify finance for those working in the charity sector. Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers in navigating financial challenges and champions financial literacy among young Black adults. She thrives in conversations about money, empowerment, and purposeful work. Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.uk CONNECT Instagram TikTok

    9 min
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About

The Nonprofit Bookkeeper shines a light on purpose-driven organisations — from charities and social enterprises to impact-led businesses. Hosted by Aishat, a finance and operations expert, this show blends practical financial tips, real-life stories, and strategic guidance for founders, funders, and changemakers. Expect solo episodes, expert guests, and honest conversations about money, mission, and making a difference.

Information

  • Creator
    Aishat
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Nonprofit Bookkeeper 2024
  • Show Website
    The Nonprofit Bookkeeper