How to Teach Basic Financial Management to CBOs

The training program consists of four trainings, each lasting six days, and is designed to be held in a retreat environment away from the demands of work. The first training, TOT 1, focuses on simplified accounting, teaching candidates the basics of the specially designed simplified accounting system, Basic Financial Management for CBOs. Following the initial training, candidates participate in TOT 2, which focuses on how to teach simplified accounting. During this training, candidates practice teaching simplified accounting to each other using an FHI360-produced manual for Basic Financial Management for CBOs. The next two trainings, TOT 3 and TOT 4, are practicum sessions where candidates practice teaching CBOs the basic and intermediate skills of the simplified accounting system, respectively. The practicum sessions cover topics such as cash book, bank book, income and expense ledger, cash advance, and financial reports. In addition to the four trainings, FHI360 provides ongoing support to candidates for six to nine months. This support includes site visits, telephone and email support, exercises, and periodic inter-exchange workshops to address any questions and concerns that arise. Candidates must demonstrate their mastery of simplified accounting by passing accounting tests and exercises throughout the training period. To be certified as a mentor, candidates must successfully complete the four trainings, demonstrate their mastery of simplified accounting, and show evidence of success in their field work with CBOs. FHI360 will select candidates that demonstrate capacity to be trainers and provide them with specialized training to produce a pool of master trainers. The training program requires full-time staff who are able to make the time and commitment necessary to participate in the six to nine months training course. They must be able to take time away from work to attend the four trainings, visit each of their CBOs a minimum of two times a month, and have basic knowledge of bookkeeping and/or basic mathematics.