Accounting systems that support social change
Individuals and institutions who give to Camfed expect their funds to be put to good use within a disciplined framework through which qualitative and quantitative outcomes can be assessed. Donors get satisfaction from knowing that their investment in the Camfed program is a direct contribution to social change, that beneficiaries derive a lasting advantage and thus dignify their own lives, and that their investment has opened life-long opportunities to girls, their families and communities. This is the real return on investment!
Over the past 14 years, Camfed has invested in a system that maintains high-levels of accountability and transparency. In the field, the system starts from the selection process undertaken by school-based committees and community leaders to identify beneficiary girls. This information is tracked through Camfed's data monitoring system. This system allows Camfed to link beneficiaries to donors to the extent that every pound received from a donor can be traced to an individual beneficiary's name, year, school and district.
From a donor perspective this system provides detailed qualitative and quantitative information allowing them to track the progress of their contribution from the moment it is received by Camfed to the point when it changes the life of a girl at school.
Audit and assurance system
Camfed carries out regular field visits to schools, Camfed development committees, Cama, and other parties to ensure that funds are used for the purposes for which they were provided, that the funds reached intended beneficiaries and that records are in place, are maintained in a manner consistent with good practice, and provide a good audit trail.
The audit process seeks to trace funds from the time they are received in Camfed bank accounts to the point they reach beneficiary girls at school. Evidence is gathered in two ways, a) by inspecting finance records of schools, Camfed development committees and Cama and b) by interviewing the beneficiary girls to confirm that they received their entitlement.
To strengthen the effectiveness of field audits and legitimize enforcement and compliance, Camfed has established working partnerships with government audit departments in the countries it works; both parties share audit reports ensuring that discrepancies are quickly pursued and resolved and good record keeping is rewarded.
Direct investment
Camfed has consistently achieved a high-percentage investment in direct charitable expenditure as shown in the diagram. Over the past 5 years, Camfed has maintained levels of 90% of income spent on direct charitable expenditure.
Expansion in income and impact
Camfed's model is demonstrating its scalability. Cost efficiency in terms of direct charitable expenditure is increasing with Camfed's growth, as shown in the chart below.
Financial information
Click on the links below to access summary accounts in pdf format for the corresponding years.
Further information
For more information on Camfed's accounts or accounting systems, please contact us by email.
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