Finance advice and support
This section aims to give co‑operatives a range of expert advice and resources to improve their financial management. From guidance on reporting standards to information to help you with corporation tax, mutual trading and audit requirements.
Featured content
3.1 Financing your co‑op
Content by Business support for co-ops
Just like any other business, co‑ops need finance for a range of activities and materials. This is particularly so at the start‑up stage, and also as the business looks to grow and change.
Content by Business support for co-ops
Finance Toolkit
A comprehensive toolkit of resources for co‑ops, helping them understand their accounting and financial reporting requirements under the Co‑operatives and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014.
Contact package
Our contact package provides access to the best support from leading advisers on co-op governance, finance, HR and membership.
Start a new co‑op
Looking to start a co‑op? Here you can access a step by step guide to starting a co‑op and register your co‑op with our online registration tool. You can apply for business support to get your new start-up off the ground in the best way possible. And…
Blog posts
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Community Shares Practitioners explore the Scottish Highlands
Content by Community Shares
On the 27th October, we hosted a Community Shares Practitioner Meet-up in the Scottish Highlands, a hotbed for community-led enterprise and innovative share offers focussed on sustainability, active…
5 months 2 weeks
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Hebden Bridge Practitioner Meet-up 2023: past, present and future of community-led co-operation!
Content by Community Shares
On the 30th June, we hosted a Community Shares Practitioner Meet-up in Hebden Bridge in the Calder Valley, a town known for its crucial place in co-operative history. Nowadays, it continues to be a…
9 months
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Celebrating a partnership that’s helping transform communities
Content by Booster Fund
As a successful funding partnership between the Community Shares Unit (CSU) and the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) draws to a close, we’re looking back and celebrating what we’ve achieved together…
1 year
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What a deposit is and why it matters
Anthony Collins Solicitors highlight a potential risk for co-operatives in managing money in the form of deposits – what to be mindful of and the potential legal implications.
1 year 5 months
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July in Bristol: a hot spot for community shares!
Content by Community Shares
On 15 July, we hosted a Community Shares Practitioner Meet-up in Bristol – here's what we learned.
1 year 9 months
Resources
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Community Shares Practitioner Training Manual 2024
Find out more about our upcoming community shares practitioner training programme before you apply.
2 months 1 week
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Co-operative and Mutual Economy 2023
Our ground-breaking Co-operative and Mutual Economy 2023 report presents a compelling case for harnessing the full potential of co-operatives and mutuals in the UK.
7 months
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Charities SORP Information Sheet for Community Benefit Societies
Content by Community Shares
This Information Sheet is designed to assist practitioners in implementing the Charities SORP (FRS 102) in relation to the preparation of accounts for Charitable Community Benefit Societies with…
1 year
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Community shares report 2023: Communities doing it for themselves
Content by Community Shares
It has been a decade since the Community Shares Unit launched in 2012 with over £210 million raised using this unique form of finance.
1 year 3 months
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Shariah Compliant Community Shares Guidance
Content by Community Shares
1 year 4 months
You may also be interested in
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Oxfordshire Community Land Trust: Creating homes that are affordable and empowering
Content by Booster Fund
Discover how the Community Shares Booster Fund supported a community business to improve the lives of people in housing need…
2 weeks
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Co-operatives UK becomes Reach Fund Access Point
Content by Booster Fund
The announcement enhances the Co-operative UK's capacity to support organisations that are raising finance through community share offers.
2 months 1 week
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Reading Hydro: A renewable energy venture, powered by the community
Content by Booster Fund
Discover how a group of people turned a green energy idea into reality, by raising finance through community share offers.
2 months 1 week
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Stokes Croft Land Trust: Keeping local assets in the hands of local people
Content by Booster Fund
When the area that spawned street artist Banksy came under threat from price-hiking property developers, a group stepped in and bought a building to offer affordable space to local creatives,…
4 months 2 weeks
Co-op Friendly Accountants
Here you'll find a list of accountants with specific experience of working with and for co-operatives.
5 months 1 week
Access finance advice through our contact package
Find out how our advice team can help you