Leadership, Governance & Research
NGO Financial Management, Compliance & Governance
Budgeting, controls and reporting practice for organisations handling donor funds.
View prospectus
Programme rationale
Budgeting, controls and reporting practice for organisations handling donor funds. The programme is structured for learners who need practical, assessable capability they can connect to real responsibilities while continuing work or other commitments.
Programme at a glance
Around 24 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–5 | Budgeting and cash-flow planning |
| 2 | Weeks 6–10 | Internal controls and fraud prevention |
| 3 | Weeks 11–15 | Donor compliance and grant management |
| 4 | Weeks 16–20 | Financial reporting and audit preparation |
| 5 | Weeks 21–24 | Board governance and accountability |
Target audience & entry requirements
Target audience
- • NGO, public-service and community-organisation staff with planning, leadership, finance, research or reporting duties.
- • Project officers and emerging managers seeking stronger professional systems and decision-making skills.
- • Graduates and practitioners building an applied work portfolio.
Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, learners should be able to:
- Build and monitor a project budget
- Apply internal controls that satisfy donors
- Prepare for an external audit
Detailed modules
Each module below follows this programme’s published syllabus and contributes to the final practical work.
- 1
Budgeting and cash-flow planning
Weeks 1–5Develop practical capability in budgeting and cash-flow planning, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
What you cover
- Roles, responsibilities and decision points in budgeting and cash-flow planning
- Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for budgeting and cash-flow planning.
- 2
Internal controls and fraud prevention
Weeks 6–10Study internal controls and fraud prevention in the context of leadership, Governance & Research, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within internal controls and fraud prevention
- Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying internal controls and fraud prevention to a realistic setting.
- 3
Donor compliance and grant management
Weeks 11–15Develop practical capability in donor compliance and grant management, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
What you cover
- Roles, responsibilities and decision points in donor compliance and grant management
- Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for donor compliance and grant management.
- 4
Financial reporting and audit preparation
Weeks 16–20Study financial reporting and audit preparation in the context of leadership, Governance & Research, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within financial reporting and audit preparation
- Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying financial reporting and audit preparation to a realistic setting.
- 5
Board governance and accountability
Weeks 21–24Develop practical capability in board governance and accountability, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
What you cover
- Roles, responsibilities and decision points in board governance and accountability
- Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for board governance and accountability.
Practical project / portfolio
Prepare a donor-ready budget, forecast and financial report pack.
Teaching & learning approach
- Tutor-led explanation and demonstration focused on the published module topics.
- Guided practice using cases, scenarios, templates or production tasks relevant to the programme.
- Individual and group feedback that helps learners improve work before final submission.
- Flexible online, face-to-face or blended participation, with evening and weekend scheduling where available.
Assessment & completion
- • Short applied tasks linked to the published modules.
- • Practical component: Prepare a donor-ready budget, forecast and financial report pack.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Learner support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Career & professional pathways
This programme supports professional development; it does not guarantee employment, promotion or entry to a regulated occupation.
- Apply the programme’s tools in field, programme, coordination or community-facing responsibilities related to leadership, Governance & Research.
- Use the completed project or portfolio as evidence of applied professional development.
- Progress to related SLIHSD intermediate or advanced professional learning where available.
Fees & enrolment
- • Indicative programme fee: SLE 5,000.
- • One-off indicative registration fee: SLE 100.
- • Final fees, start date, delivery arrangement and any instalment option are confirmed in writing before commitment.
- • Submitting an application does not require payment and does not guarantee admission.
Regulatory & recognition notice
SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Completion records an SLIHSD professional short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Ready to start NGO Financial Management, Compliance & Governance?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.