The Centre for, Microfinance, Financial Intelligence and Stewardship @ Golden Fortune International Training and Development Institute is a specialist centre which came into existence in response to the need for an agency to guide the growth of the microfinance industry and particularly, community based microfinance. The centre employs high quality professionals to provide a wide range of technical and other support services to mfi players. Given its mandate the centre places value on networking and collaborations with stakeholders. The key pillars and training areas of the centre are outlined below:
Financial Services
• Assess companies as potential investments
• Help improve cash flow
• Design and install accounting procedures
• Improve/install financial controls
• Establish cost accounting systems
• Assess capital expenditures
• Improve return on investment
• Control receivables
• Design better compensation packages
• Improve public and shareholder relations
• Plan and establish joint ventures, licensing and strategic alliances
• Establish product pricing
• Asses market potential
• Improve market potential
• Improve product distribution
• Improve market penetration and segmentation
• Improve sales efforts and sales techniques
• Trade show assistance
• Establish production planning and scheduling
• Provide electronic “mentoring” to client firms
Financial Projection Modeling
• The development of a custom made projection model to measure self-sufficiency of the operation
• Projection for monthly performance for 12 months and quarterly thereafter, for up to ten years depending on client preference
• Training of a staff member (financial manager or equivalent) in how to develop and alter and use the model as a planning tool.
Financial Management and Control
• Financial Management policies and training
• Performance Indicators and Ratio analysis workshop
• Management Information Systems design
• Financial projection modeling
• Internal audit and procedures design
• Human Resources Management
• Organizational structure, Job descriptions and culture
• Incentive scheme design
• Performance appraisals and time management
• Staff training and development
• Review and recommendations on effective organization structures
• Development of output oriented job descriptions
• Development (and delivery) of training materials for loan officers
• Facilitation of a process to develop a three to five-year strategic plan, with corresponding action and tactical plans and assigned responsibilities- (approximately three days) for senior management and perhaps also board members to review and reach consensus on key strategic topics: Vision, Mission and goals, market analysis, external environment, internal capabilities, strategies and action plans.
• The workshop includes a combination of presentations by staff and participative dialogue to develop the strategy
• Client research and product development practices
• Business Plan Development through strategic planning workshops
• Facilitation of a one-day workshop for board members to review and redesign governance policies and procedures including: board composition and nomination process, board orientation and on-going development, committee’s structures, meetings frequency and procedures
Financial Inclusion Services and Trainingn (Microfinance)
• Institutional Assessment
• Ownership governance and accountability
• Pest analysis
• Financial analysis
• Financial accounting
• Delinquency and interest rate analysis
• Business and strategic planning
• The business of lending
• Financial management and analysis
• Programme planning and evaluation
• Project planning and evaluation
• Project planning and management
• Impact assessment methodologies
• Rural micro-finance and village banking
• Gender and sustainable development
• Computerized financial management
