Charity Finance Group (CFG) has today published a fully updated edition of Know Your Cost Base, a comprehensive guide designed to help charity finance professionals understand, calculate and apply an accurate cost base across their organisations.
Produced in partnership with chartered accountancy firm HaysMac, the new in-depth publication provides a practical and robust framework for charities seeking financial clarity. Its aim is to support more transparent, evidence-based conversations about the true cost of delivery, particularly with funders.
Launching the guidance, Richard Sagar, Head of Policy, CFG, comments:
“With charities facing significant cost pressures and increased operational complexity, understanding what your work truly costs has never been more important. Since we published the first edition of Know Your Cost Base, we’ve seen traditional models such as 'last year plus inflation' become outdated and risky.
“This new guide for 2026 gives organisations the tools they need to have more transparent, informed conversations, helping them to make decisions grounded in real costs.”
The publication's co-author Richard Weaver, Partner at HaysMac, adds:
“A well-defined cost base underpins everything from pricing and budgeting to performance evaluation and reserves planning. Poorly defined approaches can distort decisions, especially in today’s volatile economic environment.
“Drawing on practical experience, industry feedback and established financial principles, this updated publication brings together conceptual clarity and hands on tools for day-to-day application. We’re pleased to work with CFG to provide clear, practical guidance that bridges technical financial principles and day-to-day operational needs.”
Editor’s notes
About CFG
CFG is the charity and membership organisation that supports other charitable organisations to make the biggest difference possible. We do this by helping them to make their money and resources go further, by putting financial leadership at the heart of their decision-making. Since CFG was founded in 1987, we have evolved to welcome all finance professionals working for charitable and social change organisations. We also welcome non-finance professionals who recognise that we deliver greater impact when we are financially confident, trustworthy and dynamic. Today, CFG’s vibrant community manages around one third of the UK’s entire charity sector income. We are a diverse and inclusive community of people who are passionate about delivering impact through financial leadership. Together, we lead the way for charity finance.
About HaysMac
The friendly face of audit, tax and financial expertise, HaysMac brings personality, positivity, dynamism and proven-market knowledge to help clients unlock opportunities and tackle challenges head on. With a vast range of specialists, bringing comprehensive knowledge of their chosen market to the table, HaysMac is perfectly positioned to help clients at every step through their journey.
HaysMac is an award-winning, top 10 London firm of chartered accountants and tax advisors with over 650 partners and staff providing advice to social purpose organisations and charities, across the UK and internationally.
CFG media contacts
Emma Abbott, Head of Communications and Content, CFG: emma.abbott@cfg.org.uk
Glyn Sheldon, Communications Coordinator, CFG: glyn.sheldon@cfg.org.uk
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