Microfinance Training Modules
Accounting • Environmental Impact Assessment • Gender • Risk Management I • Training of the Trainer • Youth Microfinance • Human Resource Management
Accounting for Microfinance Institutions
The overall purpose of the training is to equip MFI accountants with the skills to handle unique accounting issues in microfinance. There is special emphasis on MFI report formats, accounting for client loan transactions, accounting for grants and donations, portfolio aging reports, and accounting for the Impairment Loss Allowance. This course is not intended to cover basic accounting principles in great depth. Neither is it intended to replace professional accounting programs for bookkeepers, accountants and financial managers. The resources and tools provided are to assist MFIs with varying levels of accounting expertise to improve their accounting systems.
Click here to see workshop schedule (PDF 29 KB)
Environmental Impact Assessment
The purpose of this training is to give microfinance institution staff (particularly credit officers) the fundamental skills in analyzing business activities in terms of environmentally sound sustainable development. It also provides tools for credit officers to use in assessing environmental impact of various activities. The objective of the environmental impact assessment is for the MFI’s clients, whose businesses do affect the environment negatively, to think of options in minimizing or mitigating those effects.
Click here to see workshop outline (PDF 27 KB)
Gender Training Workshop
The gender training workshop examines gender influences in the participants’ own lives, cultural and societal expectations of men and women, how systems and institutions create and maintain gender roles and relationships, and how these factors affect the development process. Its purpose is to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of development workers so as to create gender-responsive institutions, policies, programs, and projects.
Click here to see workshop schedule (PDF 41 KB)
Risk Management I: Internal Controls and Fraud Prevention for Microfinance Institutions
This is a popular course featured at several international training venues – Boulder, New Hampshire, Poland, and at the Bankakademie in Germany. It can be offered in 3 or 4 days, largely depending on the needs, interests and size of the participant group. Risk Management I focuses on managing operating risks, specifically strong internal controls. A brief introduction to risk management is provided.
Click here to see workshop schedule (PDF 32 KB)
Training of the Trainer: Principles of Adult Education and Facilitation Techniques
The purpose of this training is to equip microfinance trainers and facilitators with the basic skills of training design and group facilitation. This module is most effective when delivered with a focus on a specific topic, and followed with an actual training session in that topic.
Click here to see workshop schedule (PDF 33 KB)
Youth and Microfinance Toolkit
The overall purpose of this training is to equip MFIs with the skills to begin indirect financial services and social programming that will have a social impact on working children and youth.
There is special emphasis on MFI tools such as business improvement plans, loan applications, and manuals as well as the introduction of the Code of Conduct which is the central tool in designing financial services that will go hand-in-hand with a reference manual to mitigate work hazards.
Social programming tools will also be covered in this training to expose microfinance managers to effective educational programming that can positively impact working children and youth and still be affordable and manageable in their day-to-day financial transactions.
This course is not intended to cover basic children and youth issues principles in great depth. Neither is it intended to replace professional programs that serve youth. The resources and tools provided are to assist MFIs with varying levels of youth MF expertise and trigger experimentation.
Click here to see workshop schedule (PDF 63 KB)
Human Resource Management for MFIs
The purpose of Human Resource Management (HRM) is to help MFIs maximize the potential of their staff thereby contributing to the success of the institution. People are one of an MFIs' biggest assets and a large part of the operating budget. In order to be effective, MFIs need to ensure that this asset is well-managed. The key to effectively managing staff are Human Resource Management systems and tools appropriate for the specific MFI. Within the context of microfinance, these HRM systems are divided into six major functions that are covered in the toolkit:
- Human Resource Planning
- Human Resource Policies
- Recruitment and Selection
- Salary, Benefits and Incentives
- Performance Management
- Training and Development
These HRM tools and systems are critical in finding, training, managing, motivating, and developing a team of staff who will effectively carry out your MFI's mission. By building strong, well functioning human resource systems and tools, your institution will be poised for growth, ready to manage the challenges of an evolving environment, and responsive to the needs of your clients.
Human Resource Management for MFIs (PDF ~5.8MB)
