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.

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.

Narrative Reporting

We've a narrative reporting framework to help co‑operatives report to their members in a more meaningful way. The framework offers guidance on one of the most important aspects of running a successful co‑operative organisation.

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…

Meet the advice team

We know co-ops. Our expert co-operative advice team support co-ops with governance, new registrations, conversions, HR, culture and performance, membership strategy and much more.

Blog posts

Displaying 1 - 5 of 10

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 month ago

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.

6 months ago

Pink and blue mural saying RELENTLESS OPTIMISM in capital letters

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.

10 months ago

More than £200m has been raised through community shares

Community Shares Booster Fund re-launches

Content by Community Shares

An update on all things Community Shares from John Dawson, Head of Market Development for the Community Shares Unit at Co-operatives UK.

1 year ago

Blockchain – the catalyst for a cooperative economy?

Anthony Collins Solicitors outline what blockchain is, and how and why co-operatives might start to incorporate blockchain into their governance and operations.

1 year ago

Resources

Displaying 1 - 5 of 20

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 month ago

Community Shares report 2023 – communities doing it for themselves

Communities doing it for themselves – community shares report 2023

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.

4 months ago

Shariah Compliant Community Shares Guidance

Content by Community Shares

5 months ago

Community Ownership Fund: Maximising impact through Community Shares

Content by Community Shares

This paper focuses on why and how the Community Ownership Fund can utilise the Community Shares financing model.

2 years ago

Community Shares Practitioner Training Guide 2021

Content by Community Shares

An overview of the Community Shares Practitioner Training Programme 2021. Includes details on the workshops and follow up accreditation and assessment process.

2 years ago