The Nonprofit Bookkeeper

By Aishat

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

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FAQs about The Nonprofit Bookkeeper:

How many episodes does The Nonprofit Bookkeeper have?

The podcast currently has 64 episodes available.

The Nonprofit Bookkeeper episodes:

November 07, 2025Financial 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 - 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 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 TAKEAWAY
Accountability 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 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
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11min
November 06, 2025Restricted, Unrestricted and Reserves: What Trustees Need to Get Right (Money Matters for Boards)
🎁Download: Your Trustees Fund and Reserves Explainer Pack
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
It’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 TAKEAWAY
Restricted 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 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
...more
12min
November 05, 2025Budgets That Tell the Right Story: Shaping the Numbers Behind Your Mission (Money Matters for Boards)
🎁Download: The Trustee's Budget Review Checklist
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
Welcome to Day 3 of Money Matters for Boards, the Trustees’ Week series on The Nonprofit Bookkeeper. In this episode, Aishat moves from reading numbers to shaping them; because a good budget isn’t just about maths, it’s about meaning.
Too often, budgets are approved in the final five minutes of a board meeting, but they’re one of the most powerful tools trustees have. They translate strategy into numbers and values into action.
From asking the right questions to spotting red flags, this episode guides trustees through how to review, challenge, and approve budgets with confidence, turning spreadsheets into stories of mission and impact.
KEY TAKEAWAY
A budget is a story, not a spreadsheet.
Ask the right questions.
Challenge with curiosity.
Budgets evolve; review regularly.
BEST MOMENTS
“I suppose our values didn’t make it into the spreadsheet.”
“There’s a difference between a budget and a wishlist.”
“Challenge done well builds trust.”
“You’re not just balancing columns — you’re balancing vision with viability.”
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
...more
11min
November 04, 2025Trustees and the Numbers: How to Stay on Top Without Getting Lost (Money Matters for Boards)
🎁Download the free Board Finance Confidence Checklist to help your board assess confidence and spot training gaps..
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 hands-on episode of The Nonprofit Bookkeeper, Aishat takes trustees beyond spreadsheets and into the stories behind the numbers.
Too often, charity boards approve reports without truly understanding them, missing early signs of financial stress. Aishat explains the five key things every trustee should look for in their financial reports, how to turn numbers into strategy, and how to build a culture of financial confidence on your board.
If you’ve ever looked at a finance report and thought, “I probably should understand this better,” this episode is for you.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Trustees don’t need to be accountants — but they do need to be curious..
Healthy boards link numbers to stories.
Build finance into every board conversation.
Numbers without decisions are decoration.
BEST MOMENTS
“Understanding your numbers doesn’t mean becoming a finance expert. It means recognising what healthy looks like, what danger looks like, and when to ask for help.”
“Numbers are just information. It’s the questions you attach to them that create accountability.”
“A confused trustee is a risk. A curious trustee is an asset.”
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
...more
13min
November 03, 2025Money and Mission: Why Finance Is Everyone’s Responsibility (Money Matters for Boards)
🎁Download your free Money and Mission One Pager
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 week the focus is on Money Matters for Boards - short solo episodes designed to help trustees lead with confidence, clarity, and calm in all things finance.
In today’s episode, Aishat starts at the heart of every charity: the connection between money and mission.
Too often, finance sits in the corner of the board agenda — it's the bit that makes everyone either sit up straight or quietly sink lower into their chair. But the truth is, finance isn’t separate from your charity's mission; it’s your charity's mission in action.
When boards treat money as everyone’s responsibility, they strengthen not just their balance sheets but their impact, credibility, and sustainability.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Finance is mission in action. The way you manage money is how you deliver impact.
Curiosity beats competence. You don’t need to be an accountant — just stay engaged and ask questions.
Shared responsibility builds stronger boards. When everyone understands the numbers, everyone protects the mission.
BEST MOMENTS
“Your role isn’t to prepare the numbers; it’s to understand their meaning.”
“Small charities need the most financial awareness because they don’t have a safety net.”
“You don’t need to be an accountant — you just need to be curious.”
“If you believe in your cause, you must also believe in protecting its financial health.”
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
...more
12min
October 28, 2025Not Broke, Just Boxed In: What to Do When All Your Funds Are Restricted
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
You’ve got money in the bank — but you can’t touch most of it. Sound familiar? In this episode, Aishat breaks down the real challenge behind restricted funds and the feeling of being cash-rich but control-poor.
She explains restricted, unrestricted, and designated funds in plain English and shares how small charities can create breathing space within what they already have — through clearer budgeting, transparent reporting, and stronger financial understanding.
This isn’t about learning to fundraise. It’s about using finance as a tool for freedom, clarity, and calm.
KEY TAKEAWAY
You’re not broke — you’re boxed in. Restricted funds limit flexibility, but awareness creates control.
Budget truthfully. Show the real cost of delivery, not just what funders cover.
Transparency builds trust. Clear management reports protect credibility with both trustees and funders.
Reserves aren’t luxury — they’re continuity. Even a small surplus helps you breathe when income is delayed.
BEST MOMENTS
“You’re not broke — you just can’t move. That’s the hidden truth of restricted income.”
“Restricted income delivers your projects. Unrestricted income keeps your organisation alive to deliver them.”
“Restricted income alone can make you appear busy — but not necessarily stable.”
“Gratitude matters — but not at the expense of sustainability.”
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 Money Solutions for Single Mums and Charity Finance from A to Z“Budgets are narratives too. They tell a story.” – 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
...more
18min
September 22, 2025We Can’t Keep Guessing: Why Real-Time Numbers Matter for Small Charities
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
Too many small charities make decisions with phrases like “We think we’re okay” instead of clear, up-to-date numbers.
In this episode, Aishat explores why real-time finance isn’t a luxury - it’s essential for small organisations. From the hidden costs of guessing to practical steps any team can take, this is a guide to moving from reactive decisions to data-informed planning.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Real-time finance is about reconciled accounts, fund clarity, and simple cashflow tracking.
You don’t need a finance team — monthly slots, plain-language reports, and shared folders go a long way.
Training trustees to ask three simple questions transforms board conversations.
Confidence and credibility grow when leaders stop reacting and start anticipating.t
BEST MOMENTS
"We think we’re okay isn’t a strategy.”
“The cost of guessing is high, and often invisible until it’s too late.”
“Real-time doesn’t mean daily dashboards. It means clarity.”
“Small doesn’t mean disorganised. Real-time numbers are the foundation of calm, confident leadership.”
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 Money Solutions for Single Mums and Charity Finance from A to Z“Budgets are narratives too. They tell a story.” – 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
...more
13min
September 09, 2025Values-Based Budgeting for Nonprofits: Reflecting Your Community Needs, Not Just Your Funders
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 of The Nonprofit Bookkeeper, Aishat breaks down the hidden power of your nonprofit budget; not just as a financial plan, but as a statement of your values. Too many community-based organisations build budgets that speak the language of funders, not the reality of the people they serve.
This episode walks you through how to reframe your budgeting process to put lived experience, inclusion, and community needs at the heart of your financial planning, even when you’re working with restricted grants or short funding cycles.
If you've ever looked at your spreadsheet and thought "This isn’t who we are", this episode is for you.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Budgets are value statements
Start with your community's needs and not your funders' requirements
Cost your values into your budget
BEST MOMENTS
““Every budget is a value statement.”
“Your values aren’t just posters on a wall. They belong in your budget lines.”
“Budgets are narratives too. They tell a story.”
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 Money Solutions for Single Mums and Charity Finance from A to Z“Budgets are narratives too. They tell a story.” – 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
...more
13min
August 25, 2025Is your charity built to last or just built to deliver the next project?
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 solo episode, Aishat shares a powerful sustainability check-in for community-led charities that are constantly delivering but rarely have space to breathe.
With honest questions and practical reflection points, this episode is for anyone who feels stuck in “project-to-project” mode and wants to shift towards long-term sustainability.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Reserves aren’t hoarding; they’re protection. Even a small pot can offer breathing room.
Focus is a form of sustainability. A one-page plan can keep you anchored.
Being reactive is not the same as being strategic. Make sure new funding fits your mission.
BEST MOMENTS
“Resilience doesn’t come from more money, it comes from managing what you have with intention.”
“When everything lives in your head, your charity’s future lives there too ; and that’s a heavy thing to carry alone.”
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 Money Solutions for Single Mums and 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
...more
7min
August 11, 2025Income that Fits: What Works (and Doesn’t) for Community-Based Charities
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 of The Nonprofit Bookkeeper, I’m breaking down the income models we hear about all the time (trading, donations, venue hire, partnerships) and frankly talking about what fits and what doesn’t.
If your organisation is stretched thin trying to chase every funding opportunity, or you’ve been told to “diversify your income” without any roadmap, this episode is for you.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Income should fit your size, mission, and capacity; not just follow what others are doing.
Trading income can offer freedom, but only if you know your breakeven point and have capacity to deliver.
Individual donations require strong community relationships and admin systems to manage them well.
Diversifying income doesn’t mean doing more—it means doing what works for you and doing it well.
BEST MOMENTS
"Just because something brings in income doesn’t mean it’s worth it. If it’s burning you out or pulling you off mission, it’s not a fit."
"You don’t need five income streams to be sustainable; you need one or two that are working really well."
"Don’t fall into the trap of trying to be a venue manager when your real work is with people."
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 Money Solutions for Single Mums and 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
...more
9min

FAQs about The Nonprofit Bookkeeper:

How many episodes does The Nonprofit Bookkeeper have?

The podcast currently has 64 episodes available.