Displaying 1-30 of 222 results
Charities need to get ready for SORP 2026
- Sep 2026
- ICAEW Insights
Some of the biggest changes affecting the charity finance landscape in recent years are about to take effect. Author and expert Elaine Alsop outlines what trustees and treasurers need to be preparing for.
Strong controls, weak links: where charity fraud risk can emerge
- Sep 2026
- Iqra Anwar
Charities often set up fraud controls on paper, but even with the best intentions, fraud can still slip through. As an undergraduate researcher from Royal Holloway, University of London, I interviewed experienced charity auditors and senior charity finance leaders for my dissertation. A recurring theme across these interviews was that gaps tend to appear not where controls are missing, but where they meet.
Small charities: why confident leadership now matters more than ever
- Sep 2026
- Kristina Kopic, Charity Sector and Volunteering Director
Whether it is adapting to new reporting requirements, demonstrating impact more effectively, navigating financial pressures, or understanding the opportunities and risks of emerging technologies, trustees and treasurers are being asked to do more than ever before.
Lease accounting is changing – applying the new SORP rules in practice
- Sep 2026
- Kristina Kopic, Charity Sector and Volunteering Director
While the SORP changes have wider implications for charity accounts, lease accounting for lessees is one of the key areas where preparation well before the year-end can make a significant difference. Gathering documentation, assessing the impact on financial reporting, and seeking board approval may take considerably longer than anticipated.
How much charity-specific accounting knowledge do treasurers really need?
- Sep 2026
- Kristina Kopic, Charity Sector and Volunteering Director
For an accountant taking on a charity treasurer role, the technical accounting may look familiar, but charity finance has its own language, rules and nuances. Understanding them is essential if a treasurer is to provide effective oversight.
Charity Commission report: what is the risk landscape in 2026?
- Sep 2026
- Kristina Kopic, Charity Sector and Volunteering Director
The Charity Commission’s 2026 Charity Sector Risk Assessment provides trustees and charity leaders with an updated view of the risks it considers most significant across England and Wales.
Lessons from Hospice UK’s turnaround toolkit for the wider charity sector
- Sep 2026
- Craig Duncan, David Burland and Simon Hopkins
The hospice sector is facing significant financial pressures, with many organisations having to navigate increasingly complex challenges to remain financially sustainable. In response, Hospice UK published a practical, participative toolkit in June 2026 to support hospices experiencing financial distress and help them through a process of turnaround.
Cyber roundup: new AI agent risks, and how to address them
- Aug 2026
- ICAEW Insights
Reports about AI agents show some real risks that organisations need to be aware of when adopting the technology. The latest cyber news also highlights the importance of having strong supplier oversight, incident response planning and controls for emerging technologies.
Don't wait for year-end: why charities should engage with the new Charities SORP now
- Jul 2026
- Kristina Kopic
The 2026 Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) introduced important changes to financial reporting, but, for many charities experiencing funding pressures, implementation risks slipping down the priority list. With constrained resources and growing operational demands, it can be tempting to postpone preparation until the year-end accounts process begins.
Why accountants are the guardians of public trust
- Jul 2026
- Kristina Kopic
For chartered accountants serving as charity trustees, the professional skill set you bring to the boardroom has never been more critical. The Charity Commission’s research into public trust in charities and trustee confidence highlights a paradox: while the public views financial integrity as the primary driver of trust, trustee confidence in managing finances is beginning to slip.
Trusteeship without fear: managing your legal exposure as a charity trustee
- Jul 2026
- Milena Radoycheva
Fear of personal liability is one of the most common reasons capable people hesitate before joining a charity board. That fear is understandable, but usually overstated. Trustee duties are real, but, with the right knowledge, sensible due diligence, and proper insurance in place, the risks are manageable.
Financial Review: how to report on reserves under the Charities SORP 2026
- Jul 2026
- Kristina Kopic
As charities prepare for the implementation of the Charities SORP 2026, one of the most significant areas of change within the Trustees’ Annual Report (TAR) is the Financial Review section. For accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026, trustees will face more rigorous requirements regarding how they define, calculate and report on their charity’s reserves.
New tool helps put Charity Investment Governance Principles into practice
- Jul 2026
- Kristina Kopic
A new self-assessment tool has launched to help charities apply the Charity Investment Governance Principles, enabling charity leaders to check if their investment governance is working well and demonstrate they're meeting the key outcomes. Aimed primarily at larger charities holding investments, it's available to download now on the CIGP website, along with resources for smaller charities.
Bridging the gap: digital skills in the charity sector
- Jul 2026
- Kristina Kopic
The 2026 Charity Digital Skills Report offers an annual barometer of how the charity sector is navigating a period of intense technological change. With a record 807 charities participating, the findings paint a picture of a sector that is determined to progress but is currently held back by a significant skills gap at executive and board level.
Online impersonation: a growing risk for charities
- Jul 2026
- Kristina Kopic
Charities are increasingly having to deal with a serious and fast-moving risk: online impersonation. Fake websites, social media accounts, messaging profiles and even entire organisations can be set up to mimic a charity’s name, logo, tone and content. In some cases, these platforms are used to claim affiliation, solicit donations or create confusion among supporters.
ICAEW reflects on Andy Burnham's first-week tax announcements
- Jul 2026
- ICAEW Insights
ICAEW’s Tax Faculty considers the announcements made during the new Prime Minister's first week in office, including reductions in VAT on domestic energy bills and in business rates bills for pubs, social clubs and live music venues.
How you can support charities through the Chartered Accountants Livery Company
- Jun 2026
- ICAEW Insights
If you are thinking about ways you can give something back, the Chartered Accountants’ Livery Charity supports a variety of small charitable organisations. Trustee Sally O’Neill describes how ICAEW members can get involved
Small charities – why size is no excuse for non-compliance
- Jun 2026
- Kristina Kopic
A common misconception among many trustee boards is that smaller charities are subject to a ‘lite’ version of regulatory oversight. However, when it comes to charity regulation, the legal duties and responsibilities of its trustees fundamentally remain the same, whether a charity manages a bank balance of £5,000 or £50 million.
No1 offender: conflicts of interest
- Jun 2026
- Kristina Kopic
In charity investigations, one issue consistently sits at the heart of the most serious regulatory interventions. According to a recent Charity Commission blog post, a case manager noted that conflicts of interest come up in investigations ‘more than almost anything else.’ Despite being a fundamental area of governance, the Commission has observed a steady upward trend in conflict-related cases, which now feature in many of the cases of misconduct and mismanagement.
Employment Rights Act 2025 – what charity leaders need to know
- Jun 2026
- Kristina Kopic
The Employment Rights Act (ERA) 2025 represents the most significant shift in UK employment law in a generation. For charity finance leaders and trustees, understanding these reforms is vital for both budgetary planning and risk management. While the Act received Royal Assent in December 2025, its provisions are being introduced in stages through January 2027.
Why small charities may increasingly switch to R+P accounts
- May 2026
- Kristina Kopic
Recent changes mean that many smaller charities can reconsider whether accruals accounts remain the most appropriate option. From 30 September 2026, the income threshold for preparing accruals accounts in England and Wales will increase from £250,000 to £500,000. This change significantly expands the number of charities that can choose to prepare receipts and payments (R+P) accounts instead.
New financial thresholds: effective 30 September 2026
- May 2026
- Kristina Kopic
Following an extensive consultation by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), a series of substantial increases to financial thresholds in charity law were confirmed in late 2025.
Does your charity need a trading subsidiary?
- May 2026
- Kristina Kopic
Many charities are exploring new income streams in response to funding pressures. Trading, whether through retail, events, services or commercial partnerships, can be an effective way to generate funds. However, it also introduces legal, tax and governance considerations that are not always fully understood by trustee boards.
DMCCA update: what it means for your charity’s membership income and gift aid eligibility
- Apr 2026
- Kristina Kopic
The UK government has recently published its response to the consultation on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) 2024, which introduces a new regime to regulate subscription contracts. While the legislation aims to protect consumers from subscription traps, it had raised significant concerns about a potential loss of membership income and the impact on Gift Aid eligibility within the charity sector.
Why strategic restructuring is no longer optional
- Apr 2026
- Kristina Kopic
As falling donations and rising costs squeeze charity budgets, reactive ‘salami slicing’ is no longer viable. This article highlights key points from our recent webinar and explores how strategic restructuring and dynamic Excel tools can help finance leaders move from crisis management to building mission-led resilience.
Spotting errors after filing – what you need to do next
- Apr 2026
- Kristina Kopic
It’s an uncomfortable moment: a set of charity accounts has been signed, filed with the regulator, and published, only for an error to come to light afterwards. While not uncommon, these situations require careful handling.
How to approach going concern reviews as a trustee
- Apr 2026
- Kristina Kopic
At this time of year, many charity finance professionals and treasurers are entering their busiest season. With the financial year-end and subsequent audit approaching for many charities, the annual going concern review is a governance priority.
Mind the knowledge gap on small charity boards
- Apr 2026
- Kristina Kopic
Most not-for-profits are small organisations, yet we find that trustees of smaller charities don’t always understand their statutory reporting and filing obligations. This article explores the risks of non-compliance, clarifies key thresholds in England and Wales (and signposts upcoming changes), and outlines the practical responsibilities trustees must meet to ensure transparency and public trust.
Takeaways from our 2026 Big Trustee Breakfast
- Mar 2026
- Kristina Kopic
The Big Trustee Breakfast 2026, held on 10 March at Chartered Accountants' Hall, was chaired by ICAEW Charity Committee Chair, Fiona Condron, and brought together charity trustees and those who are ‘trustee-curious’ for a morning of insightful discussion and networking.
How is your charity really finding digital and AI right now?
- Mar 2026
- Zoe Amar
Whatever your size or starting point, we want to hear from you. Take the 2026 Charity Digital Skills Report survey and help us build the clearest picture yet of what's really happening across the sector.
Displaying 1-30 of 222 results