|
Accountancy |
Accountants manage the finances of people and organisations. They advise about investments, tax and record-keeping. They work in one of three areas: Private practice - preparing or auditing accounts, completing tax returns and providing financial advice. They also sort out the financial affairs of companies that are in financial difficulty. Industry and commerce - specialising in either management accounting (report preparation based on organisation's trading position) or financial accounting (dealing with day-to-day running of the business, book-keeping and invoicing, income and expenditure. Public Sector - managing finances of government departments, local councils, NHS and other organisations including charities. They prepare budgets and accounts, plan and allocate resources.
Accountancy also Includes financial audits, due diligence on mergers and acquisitions, advising on fraud prevention plans, completing business risk reviews, work on corporate recovery strategies and completing forensic investigations.
|
 |
Architect |
Architects manage all the stages of a building project, from start to finish. They work closely with the client to decide what's needed (how the building will be used, what it will look like, how it will be built, etc) before preparing their design. Once the design is approved, the architect draws up plans for the builder and works out the cost of the project. While building work is underway, the architect makes regular site visits to ensure the job is going to plan. On larger projects, the architect works as part of a team with people like civil engineers, surveyors and landscape architects.
|
|
Design and Graphics |
Graphic Designers communicate ideas and information using images and words. They design all kinds of printed materials including magazines, posters, brochures, covers for videos and CDs and increasingly design websites and interactive CD-Roms. Graphic Designers normally work to a brief which specifies the target audience, deadlines and targets. They produce visuals showing how the design will look. Once this has been approved they will use computer and desktop publishing software to lay out the whole job with text, headings, images, etc. this represents the proof, which is checked and approved by the client (sometimes needing alterations) before going to print.
|
|
Financial Services |
Financial Service providers offer an array of advice including business and commercial loans, lease financing, insurance, investment management, employee benefit plans, risk management, project finance and tax.
|
|
Fundraising |
A good fundraising consultant will be able to assist with a range of activities from putting together a fundraising strategy to identifying potential funders. Practical support might include help with drafting a fundraising plan, presentations and funding applications. They may also conduct research, advise on the legal framework for fundraising including tax effective giving and data protection; undertake a fundraising audit and assist with the design and execution of campaigns. You may also find some assistance with the recruitment of fundraisers or developing a training programme.
|
|
Human Resources/Personnel |
The Human Resource/Personnel function deals with matters relating to the people side of a business - employees, freelance workers, contractors etc. HR Managers will ensure that the company's recruitment policies and practices are in line with UK employment legislation. They will also deal with: staff recruitment, appraisals, reviews and redundancies; drawing up employment contracts, establishing policies for overtime and benefits; salaries and pensions; training and staff development. The role may include writing and placing advertisement for job vacancies and being involved in the screening and interview process. They increasingly work with senior directors on implementing change management.
|
|
Legal |
|
|
Management and Business Consultancy |
Management and Business Consultancy will identify and investigate problems concerned with strategy, policy, markets, organisation, procedures and methods; formulate recommendations for appropriate action by factual investigation and analysis, with due regard for broader management and business implications; discuss and agree with the client the most appropriate course of action and provide assistance where required by the client to implement these recommendations.
|
|
Marketing |
Marketing is about meeting customer requirements - giving customers the goods and services they want, when they want and where they want them, at a price which suits both them and the company/provider. Marketing involves planning, pricing, promotion and distribution of goods and services to meet the needs of current and potential customers and good marketing involves all elements of what is known as the 'marketing mix'. People: using market research to understand the personal, cultural, social and psychological profiles of customers. Planning: analysing and evaluating research to develop a strategic plan so marketing objectives can be addressed. Positioning: deciding where to position the product/service in the market, relevant to competing products, defining the product attributes and key selling points in the customers mind. Product (service): Design, concept testing and product launch - no good having a product that nobody wants to buy! Price: what are people prepared to pay for your service or product? Place: getting your product or service into the right places. Promotion: is communication with customers and is the most visible aspect of marketing, it includes: corporate identity, branding, advertising, public relations, direct marketing, sales/promotion and merchandinsing, sales/sales management and exhibitions.
|
|
Property Services |
This can include valuations and surveys for residential and commercial properties including building surveys, homebuyer’s surveys, schedules of dilapidation, landlord and tenant and other professional matters. Valuations for inheritance tax, capital gains tax, provision and financial settlement. Litigation and expert witness instructions undertaken. Conveyancing, surveys, valuations, relocation, property management – tenancies, lettings
|
|
Public Relations |
Public relations (PR) is about reputation - the result of what you do, what you say and what others say about you. PR is the discipline which looks after reputation, with the aim of earning understanding and support and influencing opinion and behaviour. It is the planned and sustained effort to establish and maintain goodwill and mutual understanding between an organisation and its publics. Public relations takes many forms in different organisations and comes under many titles, including public information, investor relations, public affairs, corporate communication, marketing or customer relations.
|
|
Website Designer |
Website designers design the pages and structure of websites on the internet (just like this one!). They will work with a client to determine the purpose of the website, key audience and how it will be used.
|
|
Return to the Information for VCOs and Charities by
clicking here
|
