Small and medium-sized charities that missed out on the Government's £15.5m targeted support fund will need to quickly reassess and take action to survive, says charity financial management expert Kate Sayer.

"Without the government's hoped-for funds, charities may need to make changes and generating even small amounts of income without increasing costs will make a big difference.

"To increase income, charities could consider joining with others to bid for funding, or provide services to other charities. For example, your charity may have specialist knowledge of services to people with mental health problems and a housing charity may be pleased to have your input in their work with some of their clients," said Sayer, partner at Sayer Vincent.

Kate Sayer will advise charities on managing in a downturn, staying solvent and surviving well at the Charity Accountants' Conference, organised by the Directory of Social Change (DSC) and Sayer Vincent, on 17-18 September in Leeds.

The two-day residential conference will offer finance staff and senior managers of voluntary sector organisations legal updates, financial training and advice.

To register, visit www.dsc.org.uk/cac2009.