Derby CAS: Free Seminar's for Derby Charities

from the Desk of the Bookkeeper in Derby
Derby Community Accountancy Service (CAS) provide a valuable service to Charities in and around Derby. 

I am guessing you have never heard of them?  Indeed they do have a very low profile which includes not having a web site.  Yet they have been serving charities for over 20 years.

I stumbled across them purely by chance - oddly enough at a seminar being run by Companies House held at Pride Park in Derby.

This month they are running a series of  FREE seminars designed for Charities with the aims of understanding a wide range of issues from the roles of the committee members, understanding how to promote your charity, fund raising and the dreaded 'keeping of the books'.

The first course was held last week, Charity Law and How it Effects Your Group with Nick Mcakin, and provided some interesting and valuable insights into the daily running of committee and the vital importance that proper communication plays for a successful outcome and health of the charity concerned.

The next seminar is being held tomorrow 26 September 2012 covering:  Financial Management for Voluntary Groups with speaker Margaret Mowles. 

It is not too late to book your place!  oh and did I mention it was FREE?

If you are interested in attending tomorrows or any of the other forthcoming seminars contact casbitcderby@hotmail.com to reserve your place.



BKD

Thought for Today

A wise soul opens the window to the future by closing the doors to the past.

National Landlords Association (NLA) Accreditation Scheme

from the Desk of the Bookkeeper in Derby

One of the main difficulties faced by the landlord with a small portfolio is 'what to do if something goes wrong?  Property problems can range from mould to overgrown hedges to having to replace a rusty bath with a whole variety of issues in between. And then of course there are the tenant issues.

Networking with other landlords in your area can prove surprisingly beneficial.  Discussions can be wide ranging covering such tricky topics of where to find a new tenant to the pros and cons of the various letting agencies that offer their property management services to the unsuspecting newbie.

Another option would be to connect with a landlord association such as the NLA (National Landlords Association).  Subscribing to their RSS feed is free and its a great way to keep up with all the latest news.  In addition they not only do they offer membership to the NLA for a small fee (tax deductible), but they also run a (CPD based) accreditation scheme.

NLA say that:

"Accreditation is an excellent way for responsible landlords to improve their knowledge of the sector as well as verifiably promote your services as a good landlord to tenants."

To find out more about their accreditation scheme visit: NLA - For Landlords

BKD


Thought for Today

"Men keep their agreements when it is an advantage to both parties not to break them.” Plutarch

Burnley Savings and Loans Company aka Bank on Dave

from the Desk of the Bookkeeper in Derby

I don't know about you but watching Dave Fishwick talking about setting up a new kind of bank, on the tele the other night was a refreshing and dare I admit it, an interesting experience. 

Refreshing, because well, his accent is sort of familiar.  Husband comes from Dave's neck of the woods and we usually try and go home at least once a month.  Last time we were 'up North' we had to do some errands for gran.  And I was shocked.  Five years ago the shopping areas we went into were bustling and thriving - today there over 95% of the business were gone.  The shopping precincts were empty of traders.  To Let and For Sale boards hung outside business premises were tatty, dirty and ripped.  Obviously they had been there for some time.  What happened?  Where have they gone?

People talk in vague terms of the North-South divide and how the rich are getting richer.... and then of course there are the banks or rather in particular the people who take the enormous bonuses out of a 'bank business' that well - let's not mince about the bush.. have failed.

I find myself feeling totally disgusted by their greed and avarice.

So Dave Fishwich was a breath of fresh air and I for one am going to watch with baited breath for the next instalment.


BKD

"I don't hire people who have to be told to be nice.  I hire nice people."  Leona Helmsly

External Links

Burnley Savings and Loans Company

'Bank on Dave' – is this the solution to our banking troubles? I'm not so sure by Daniel Knowles