• Governance
  • Governance Health Check & Support
  • Strategic / Business Planning
  • Value for Money
  • Performance Management
  • Change Management
• Audit
  • Internal Audit
  • External Audit of Public Bodies
  • Compliance
  • Outsourcing
    • Whistleblowing Service
    • Risk Management
    • IT Security and Monitoring
  • Grant Certification & Project Assurance
• IT
  • IT Governance
  • IT Infrastructure
  • Business Systems
  • IT Audit
• Sectors
  • Public Sector
  • Third Sector
    • Muslim Faith Sector
  • GP Consortiums
  • Education Sector
  • Industry

Sectors

• Public Sector
• Third Sector
• Muslim Faith Sector
• GP Consortiums
• Education Sector
• Industry

Our ethos in delivering advice on good governance draws on the parallels between current best practice and the Islamic principles.

This makes us unique.

Good Governance & Islam

The Holy Quran, the lives of the Prophets (PBUT) and their companions provide many practical examples of good governance covering areas such as risk management, use of resources, financial control, relationship with employees, creditors, donors and society (Corporate Social Responsibility).

In order for Muslim organisations to achieve their stated objectives and make an effective contribution to society it is imperative that trustees, members and the directors of these organisations demonstrate and implement sound governance.

Charity Commission guide

The Charity Commission introduced a ‘Good Governance’ code in 2005 for organisations operating in the third sector setting out key principals of good governance for large and small organisations. By adopting key principals of good governance, organisations can achieve the following:

• Satisfy key Islamic requirements and legal reporting requirements;
• Efficient and effective use of resources

Muslim Charities

There are 1300 Muslim charities registered with the Charity Commission with a combined income of £218m. Almost half of all Muslim charities have an income of less than £10,000 a year, and only 2% of registered Muslim charities have an income of over £1m.

Our research indicates that, Muslim organisations often struggle to fulfil the minimum financial reporting requirements indicating weak financial control (key requirement for good governance). Where financial reports are submitted in time, the quality of these reports is not very good. As a result these organisations face the following risks:

• Inefficient use of resources;
• Lack of Trustee / Board control;
• Lack of accountability to donors & funding bodies;
• Money laundering & terrorism;
• Government penalties or litigation; and
• Bad PR, directly affecting donation levels.

Our Approach

Our advisory service to the Faith Sector is led by HW Director Nasir Rafiq. Nasir understands the Muslim faith across sectarian and cultural divides. He has experience of working with Muslim charities of all sizes (national & international), advising them on governance, internal control, business strategy & planning and accounting issues.

We would recommend that the scope of any governance review is initially informed by an overall assessment of your organisation’s prevailing arrangements to identify gaps. We can then work with the trustees and directors addressing the specific cultural and faith needs of your organisation.

The following are some of the services we can provide to support Muslim organisations:

• Bespoke governance health checks;
• Strategic and Business Planning support;
• Feasibility Studies on building acquisitions;
• Financial Management;
• Business process improvements;
• Internal audit services ; and
• IT security.

Service delivered by a Director & Partner who share the same ethical and moral principles that underpin the work of all Muslim charities.