The Nonprofit Bookkeeper

Hosted by Aishat

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Jun 2026

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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.

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June 9, 202618 min

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 BookOr explore the glossary-style guide: Charity Finance from A - ZIn 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 TAKEAWAYManagement 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 BOARDSAs 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 HOSTAishat 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.ukCONNECTInstagramTikTok

May 12, 202613 min

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 BookOr explore the glossary-style guide: Charity Finance from A - ZIn 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 TAKEAWAYOrganisational 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 HOSTAishat 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.ukCONNECTInstagramTikTok

April 14, 202617 min

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 - ZReserves 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 TAKEAWAYReserves 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 HOSTAishat 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.ukCONNECTInstagramTikTok

March 26, 202619 min

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

Grab your copy of my book Charity Finance from A - ZCheck 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-BANCThis 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 TAKEAWAYFinance 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 HOSTAishat 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.ukCONNECTInstagramTikTok

March 10, 202613 min

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

Grab your copy of my book Charity Finance from A - ZCheck 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-BANCIn 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 TAKEAWAYReserves 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 HOSTAishat 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.ukCONNECTInstagramTikTok

February 10, 20269 min

Two Numbers, Two Stories: Cash vs Surplus

Grab your copy of my book Charity Finance from A - ZCheck 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 TAKEAWAYCash 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 HOSTAishat 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.ukCONNECTInstagramTikTok

January 20, 20267 min

Budgets Aren’t Control Tools. They’re Navigation Tools

Grab your copy of my book Charity Finance from A - ZCheck 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-BANCIn this episode, Aishat reframes one of the most misunderstood tools in charity finance: the budget.Too often, boards treat budgets as fixed rules; something to stick to perfectly or apologise for when reality doesn’t cooperate. But real life doesn’t behave like a spreadsheet.This conversation explores why budgets are better understood as navigation tools rather than control mechanisms, especially in the early stages of a budget cycle, and how this mindset shift leads to healthier board conversations, better decision-making, and stronger governance.KEY TAKEAWAYBudgets are built on assumptions, not guaranteesVariances early in a budget cycle often reflect timing, not troubleControl-focused budget conversations shut down insight and learningNavigation-focused conversations encourage transparency and better decisionsStrong boards respond thoughtfully when reality doesn’t match the planBEST MOMENTS“A budget isn’t a control tool. It’s a navigation tool.”“When a budget moves, it doesn’t mean someone has failed — it means something has changed.”“You can’t control your way to sustainability. You can only navigate your way there.”“Budgets support governance — they break under micromanagement.”BOARD REFLECTION PROMPTS You might find it helpful to reflect on these questions at your next board or finance committee meeting:What assumptions were built into this budget?What has changed since the budget was set?Are we using the budget to control activity, or to guide decisions?ABOUT YOUR HOSTAishat 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.ukCONNECTInstagramTikTok

December 16, 20259 min

SORP 2026: What Trustees of Small Charities Need to Know

Grab your copy of my book Charity Finance from A - ZCheck 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-BANCSORP 2026 is now published, and while it’s often described as a technical accounting update, its biggest implications for small charities are about clarity, explanation, and good governance, not technical detail.In this episode, Aishat speaks directly to trustees of small charities, particularly those without finance backgrounds or in-house finance teams. The focus is on what trustees need to understand, what they don’t need to worry about, and the questions they should feel confident asking.KEY TAKEAWAYSORP 2026 is not about doing more accounting; it’s about clearer explanation and transparencyTrustees don’t need to know the technical detail, but they do need to ask whether accounts reflect the updated frameworkImpact reporting matters for small charities, but it’s about storytelling, not complex measurementThe Trustees’ Annual Report is a key trustee responsibility: it should clearly link activities, outcomes, use of funds, and public benefitRestricted funds still require clear explanation, regardless of charity sizeRESOURCESCharities SORP 2026 (official guidance)BEST MOMENTS“Trustees are not expected to become experts in SORP, you’re expected to understand enough to ask the right questions.”“The Trustees’ Annual Report is your voice as a board: it should reflect what you believe is happening in the charity, not just what the numbers say.”“Asking whether the accounts reflect the updated SORP isn’t micromanagement; it’s good governance.”ABOUT YOUR HOSTAishat 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.ukCONNECTInstagramTikTok

November 7, 202510 min

Financial Accountability and Legacy: Leaving the Charity Stronger Than You Found It (Money Matters for Boards)

Grab your copy of my book Charity Finance from A - ZCheck 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-BANCIn this final episode of our special Trustees Week series, Aishat wraps up the week by exploring what financial stewardship truly means - legacy. It’s not just about clean audits or balanced budgets. It’s about leaving behind clarity, transparency, and systems that make sense long after you’ve stepped down.Aishat explains how accountability is really about trust, not ticking boxes — and why culture, not compliance, is what keeps charities strong. You’ll learn what practical habits build lasting financial confidence and how to ensure your charity remains financially resilient, year after year.KEY TAKEAWAYAccountability equals trust. It’s about stewardship, not scrutiny.Legacy equals clarity. Leave behind systems and understanding, not just spreadsheets.Culture matters.Good governance is a rhythm built through small, consistent habits.BEST MOMENTS“Legacy isn’t just what you built — it’s what continues to make sense after you’re gone.”“You can have perfect policies and still fail if the culture is ‘don’t ask.’”“Confident boards build stronger charities.”ABOUT YOUR HOSTAishat 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.ukCONNECTInstagramTikTok

November 6, 202511 min

Restricted, Unrestricted and Reserves: What Trustees Need to Get Right (Money Matters for Boards)

🎁Download: Your Trustees Fund and Reserves Explainer PackGrab your copy of my book Charity Finance from A - ZCheck 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-BANCIt’s Day 4 of our Trustee Week series, Money Matters for Boards!So far, we’ve explored how money connects to mission, how to read the numbers, and how budgets can tell your charity’s story.Today, we’re tackling one of the trickiest yet most crucial topics in charity finance — restricted, unrestricted, and reserves.Aishat breaks down what each fund type really means, how to keep your charity in control of its finances, and why trustees should never assume “money in the bank” equals “money to spend.”You’ll learn how to build healthy financial flexibility, protect your charity from risk, and strengthen long-term sustainability.KEY TAKEAWAYRestricted funds are money promised for a specific purpose.Unrestricted funds are your charity’s breathing space, used for core costs, governance, and new opportunities.Reserves are your safety net, built from unrestricted funds to protect your mission when things change.Transparency builds trust. Clear reporting helps trustees see where flexibility exists.Consistency beats windfalls. Rebuilding reserves slowly and deliberately keeps your charity resilient.BEST MOMENTS“Money in the bank isn’t always money you can spend.”“Unrestricted funds are your charity’s breathing space. Without enough, a charity can look busy on paper but still struggle to survive.”“Reserves aren’t about hoarding money — they’re about being ready.”ABOUT YOUR HOSTAishat 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.ukCONNECTInstagramTikTok