National Workshop on Financial Management of NGOs: The Essentials for Sustainable Success
The Departments of Accounting, and Banking and Finance successfully hosted a national workshop titled “Financial Management of NGOs: The Essentials for Sustainable Success” on Wednesday, December 4, 2025. The event brought together university staff, and students to explore critical financial management practices essential for nonprofit sustainability and accountability. The workshop was led by Mr. Rohat Zada, a distinguished Lecturer of Accounting and Finance at both Tishk International University and Catholic University of Erbil, who also serves as a financial management consultant. With his extensive expertise in nonprofit finance, Mr. Zada delivered a comprehensive and engaging presentation that addressed the unique financial challenges facing NGOs in the Kurdistan Region and beyond.
In the opening session, Mr. Zada provided an in-depth examination of financial management practices specific to NGOs operating in Kurdistan. He discussed the accounting record-keeping processes mandated by major international donors, including USAID and other prominent NGOs, highlighting the importance of compliance to gain donors’ trust and to maintain the principles of NGO financial management. Mr. Zada also explored various budgeting approaches, including Incremental budgeting, zero-based budgeting, and hybrid budgeting system. Participants gained practical insights into developing realistic budgets that align with organizational missions while satisfying donor expectations and regulatory requirements.
Following the coffee break, the workshop transitioned into a highly interactive segment featuring a fruitful discussion with staff, students, and NGO consultant. This collaborative session allowed participants to share experiences, ask questions, and engage directly with the presenter on real-world financial management challenges. The highlight of this segment was the analysis of five comprehensive case study questions that examined common financial management problems encountered by NGOs. Participants worked through scenarios involving donor compliance issues, internal control weaknesses, financial reporting challenges, and resource allocation dilemmas. Through guided discussion, Mr. Zada helped attendees identify problems and develop practical solutions based on sound financial management principles.
The workshop concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony led by Dr. Abubakar Karaye, Head of the Accounting, Banking and Finance Departments at Tishk International University. Dr. Karaye presented a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Rohat Zada in recognition of his valuable contribution to professional development and capacity building in the region. In his closing remarks and vote of thanks, Dr. Karaye commended Mr. Zada for delivering an informative and practical workshop that addressed critical gaps in NGO financial management knowledge. He emphasized the importance of continued professional development in the nonprofit sector and expressed the university’s commitment to organizing similar capacity-building initiatives in the future.
Dr. Karaye also thanked all participants for their active engagement.
Keywords: NGO Financial Management; Sustainable Financial Management; NGOs Sustainability
