As the year draws to a close, charity reporting and governance is full of opportunity and change. From a new Charities SORP, new financial thresholds, and the launch of the first global reporting standard for non-profits, to a substantially refreshed Charity Governance Code and new finance resources for trustees, now is a good time to take stock and prepare for what’s ahead.
Join us at the ICAEW Charity Conference in January 2026
Our flagship virtual ICAEW Charity Conference will help you start the new year with up to 8 hours of verifiable CPD for prices starting from £30+VAT for ICAEW members. This includes our annual Accounting Update and an additional session where we use worked examples to explore the core changes of the Charities SORP 2026 in action.
Bringing together charity leaders, trustees, and professional advisers to discuss the latest developments in charity regulation, finance, and governance, this year’s conference is jam-packed with technical content and keynote addresses from the Civil Society Minister Stephanie Peacock MP and Charity Commission CEO David Holdsworth.
SORP, charity governance, and tax updates aside, this year’s programme will also respond to the challenges in the sector, including:
- The connection between financial sustainability, social impact and organisational culture – is true balance possible or is tension inevitable?
- Finding diverse sources of inspiration to explore opportunities for resilience and growth, both for our organisations and for us as individuals.
- Exploring the use of GenAI for accountants working with charities and learning from a charity that adopted new technology and an innovation mindset.
- Hearing a behind-the-scenes account of navigating financial distress in a complex and regulated environment as a high-profile charity in administration.
- Learning about the opportunities for charities working with government bodies as a result of the Civil Society Covenant.
Whether you work within a charity or advise one, the conference is an excellent opportunity to update your knowledge and gain practical insights to support your organisation or clients.
Find out more and book your place here:
- ICAEW Charity Conference (make sure you book before the early bird rates expire!)
Director ID verification – new Companies House requirements
A key regulatory change to be aware of concerns trustees/directors of charitable companies. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, Companies House is introducing mandatory identity verification for company directors, People with Significant Control (PSCs), and anyone who files on behalf of a company. For charitable companies, this means trustees who are listed as company directors will need to verify their identity by 18 November 2025. You can read more about the reforms on the Companies House website.
New Charity Commission Trustee Finance Toolkit
The Charity Commission has launched a new Trustee Finance Toolkit to support boards in understanding and overseeing their charity’s finances. The toolkit brings together essential guidance on planning, monitoring, and managing a charity’s financial position.
It includes videos and resources designed to help trustees:
- Understand financial statements and budgets;
- Ask the right questions about reserves and cash flow; and
- Recognise the early warning signs of financial distress.
The resource complements existing Commission guidance – such as ‘CC3 – The Essential Trustee’ and ‘CC19 – Charity reserves: building resilience’ – and can be accessed here:
Looking ahead: the INPAS launch webinar
On 18 November, ICAEW will host a special webinar to mark the launch of the International Non-Profit Accounting Standard (INPAS) – the first global reporting standard designed specifically for the non-profit sector. Developed through the IFR4NPO project, INPAS aims to provide a consistent global framework for financial reporting by charities and NGOs. Understanding it now will help trustees and accountants prepare for future developments in global reporting.
Staying informed
The months ahead will see further updates to charity regulation, SORP implementation, and reporting expectations. Keeping up to date with these developments is essential for trustees, finance staff, and advisers alike. Through our conferences, webinars, and resources, our Charity Community remains committed to supporting members and the wider charity sector in navigating change, maintaining good governance, and strengthening financial management across the sector.
We will publish our new CPD course for charity trustees in January 2026 – that’s a bit later than usual, because we wanted to ensure that it is up to date, with the new SORP, changes to financial thresholds (England and Wales), and the revised Charity Governance Code included. Part 1 of the training, which covers fundamental trustee responsibilities, will remain unchanged.
We are also bringing back our popular, annual Charity Commission Roundup 2025 on 11 December, where Amie Woods and Mazeda Alam from the Charity Commission for England and Wales will update you on the Commission’s recent findings on the financial difficulties of the sector and highlight recent updates to guidance, on topics such as finding and appointing new trustees (CC30) and trustee payments (CC11). They will also share the Commission’s plans for enhanced guidance in 2026 and provide a high-level overview of the changes in charity reporting under the Charities SORP 2026. To join us, register here.
