Accounting and reporting
Telling your charity’s story with impact
- Article
- 07 Feb 2024
2024 is likely to be a turbulent year so the need for charities to communicate what they do, why they do it and the difference they make continues to be important. The trustees’ annual report is a key part of a charity’s suite of communications and effective reporting helps to build trust. So, how can charities tell their story with impact?
INPAG Exposure Draft 2 published – join our webinar to find out more
- Article
- 10 Oct 2023
Get an update on its implications for charities operating internationally and its potential to affect the future of UK-Irish GAAP and the Charities SORPs post 2025, and learn how to get involved in the development of INPAG.
Dispelling common myths about charities
- Hub page
- 14 Jul 2023
Charities need to set out clearly how they are run and carry out their work to combat common myths and build public and donor confidence in the sector.
Reading charity accounts made simple
- Helpsheets and support
- 22 Jun 2023
This Sayer Vincent guide aims to make reading a set of charity accounts simple for those new to the charity sector.
Audit and independent examination
Start with 'Why': Top Tips for Effective Board Reports
- Article
- 11 Apr 2024
Effective board reports enable informed decision-making and strategic alignment. However, crafting a board report that supports your board’s decision-making requires more than just compiling data and financial results. It demands communicating the report’s purpose clearly, understanding the requirements of the trustees, and anchoring the reports in the charity’s strategic priorities.
ICAEW pushes for charity audit threshold consultation
- Article
- 28 Mar 2024
Call for review of charity audit thresholds as inflation drags many smaller charities into scope against a backdrop of harsh financial challenges across the third sector.
Letter of Support: charities need to put their own interests before those of their trading subsidiary
- Article
- 03 Aug 2023
In this challenging economic environment, charities with commercial trading operations might face increasing calls to issue letters of support to their trading subsidiaries. Trustees will need to protect the charity’s interests and follow charity law and regulation if they consider issuing a letter of support.
Small charities need you: volunteering as an independent examiner
- Article
- 20 Jul 2023
Charities are always on the lookout for professionals to provide independent examinations – and as long as it’s pro bono and the charity is small, you may not need a practising certificate.
Financial management
The banking obstacles facing charities – why the charity regulators are speaking up
- Article
- 04 Jan 2024
The banking challenges that charities face in their day-to-day operations have reached a crisis point, as we regularly hear from you. Now, the charity regulators have written a joint letter to the Chief Executives of UK Banks to request urgent action.
Letter of Support: charities need to put their own interests before those of their trading subsidiary
- Article
- 03 Aug 2023
In this challenging economic environment, charities with commercial trading operations might face increasing calls to issue letters of support to their trading subsidiaries. Trustees will need to protect the charity’s interests and follow charity law and regulation if they consider issuing a letter of support.
Internal financial controls for charities
- Helpsheets and support
- 22 Jun 2023
The Charity Commission’s (CC8) guide on how to manage your charity’s financial activity and use internal financial controls to reduce the risk of loss.
Trading issues made simple
- Helpsheets and support
- 22 Jun 2023
This Sayer Vincent guide explains when trading is permitted within a charity, how to use tax exemptions and set up appropriate structures if they wish to expand trading activities.
Fraud and cybercrime
Charity Fraud Report 2023
- Website
- 30 Nov 2023
Over a third of charities said they had experienced more instances of fraud in 2023 than in the previous year, and 67% of charities think that the cost-of-living crisis increases the risk of fraud in the sector. BDO’s 2023 Charity Fraud Report details the findings from their annual survey into the fraud landscape within the charity sector.
Exclusive
Duty to report to the charity regulator(s)
- Helpsheets and support
- 29 Nov 2023
Technical helpsheet issued to highlight the circumstances in which charity independent examiners, auditors and trustees have a duty to report to the charity regulator(s).
Charity Fraud Awareness Week (27 Nov to 1 Dec): get involved!
- Article
- 01 Nov 2023
Every charity, NGO and not-for-profit is susceptible to fraud and cybercrime by criminals exploiting the current global crisis. Charities need to be aware of the risks and take steps to keep their money, people and data safe. The Fraud Advisory Panel and its supporters will be delivering the 8th annual Charity Fraud Awareness Week between Monday 27 November and Friday 1 December.
Regulation and legislation
Navigating Donation Dilemmas: Charity Commission Guidance for Trustees
- Article
- 08 Mar 2024
Trustees can find themselves facing tough decisions, including when it comes to accepting donations. The Charity Commission for England and Wales has recently issued guidance to aid trustees in navigating these challenging situations.
Registering and operating a charity: Links to a non-charitable organisation
- Article
- 06 Mar 2024
All applicants will be asked as part of the registration process to declare whether the applicant organisation is linked to or has been established by a non-charitable organisation. A charity may establish or maintain a close relationship with connected non-charitable organisations but these links need to be appropriately managed, can result in significant risks and can, in certain instances, impact charitable status. This article considers connected entities and what applicants will need to consider when submitting their application.
Charity Commission unveils new 5-year strategy
- Article
- 06 Mar 2024
The Charity Commission recently published a forward-looking strategy designed to steer the Commission's regulatory efforts over the next five years.
How charities can face complex regulatory challenges
- Article
- 07 Feb 2024
ICAEW’s Charity Committee Chair calls for more balanced and proportionate regulation as charities brace for a demanding year ahead.
Reserves and investments
Banking for charities
- Article
- 06 Mar 2024
Demand for charity services continues to grow. Be it the cost-of-living crisis, rising mental health challenges or our ageing populations, charities are finding themselves under increasing pressure to deliver more for less. Given the challenges they currently face in doing vitally important work, you’d hope that accessing banking services would be straightforward for them. However, it’s becoming increasingly challenging for charity trustees to do so. But why?
Going beyond CC14: can you help create investment governance principles for the charity sector?
- Article
- 07 Feb 2024
CFG has recently announced the launch of a new project which will develop principles for trustees and charity leaders.
CC14: Refreshed guidance for trustees on investing charity money
- Article
- 03 Aug 2023
The Charity Commission has published its refreshed guidance on charities and investments, aiming to provide greater clarity to trustees about their ability to account for factors such as the environmental impact of investments and reputational risks.
Reserves policies made simple
- Helpsheets and support
- 22 Jun 2023
What level of reserves should a charity have? This Sayer Vincent guide sets out a method for analysing your charity’s financial position and developing a robust reserves policy.
Sustainability
Climate charity’s disclosure scheme for plastics
- Article
- 05 Jun 2023
The initiative emerges amid growing calls for mandatory environmental disclosure and UN talks towards a legally binding treaty to end plastics pollution.
Why charities must embrace ESG reporting
- Article
- 07 Jun 2022
Higher levels of ESG reporting in the charity sector will help to support accountability, best practices and access to finance, explain Nick Sladden and Carys Tetlaw of RSM UK.
What will this new decade bring for ESG investors?
- Article
- 29 Jul 2021
The end of the last decade brought with it one of the most difficult years for investors of all hues, but ESG moved firmly from the periphery to centre stage. The E (environmental) has been prominent for several years, but it was the S (social) which had the standout year.
ESG, what can corporates learn from the charities’ reporting framework?
- Article
- 25 May 2021
We are in the middle of a boom for ESG reporting, driven by the growing realisation of the risks arising from climate change and inequality, a realisation that has now permeated into capital markets. Every day sees a new tool for ESG or SDG or Sustainability Reporting.
Taxation and VAT
Letter of Support: charities need to put their own interests before those of their trading subsidiary
- Article
- 03 Aug 2023
In this challenging economic environment, charities with commercial trading operations might face increasing calls to issue letters of support to their trading subsidiaries. Trustees will need to protect the charity’s interests and follow charity law and regulation if they consider issuing a letter of support.
Landmark tax ruling: Supreme Court backs Nuffield Health
- Article
- 29 Jun 2023
Court upholds ruling that entitles Nuffield Health, a registered charity, to mandatory business rates relief of 80 percent for a members-only gym in the London Borough of Merton Council.
Trading issues made simple
- Helpsheets and support
- 22 Jun 2023
This Sayer Vincent guide explains when trading is permitted within a charity, how to use tax exemptions and set up appropriate structures if they wish to expand trading activities.
Subsidiaries made simple
- Helpsheets and support
- 22 Jun 2023
The common way for charities to deal with trading outside their objects is to channel these activities through a separate company. This Sayer Vincent guide explains how to set up and operate a charity trading subsidiary.
Technology and data
ICAEW Charity Conference 2024 – creating a charity sector fit for the future
- Article
- 11 Oct 2023
As we are planning our January 2024 flagship Charity Conference, our aim is not only to equip you with the knowledge (and verifiable CPD hours) to help you succeed in your professional and voluntary charity roles, but also to help you future-proof your charity. How can your charity, regardless of size, take the next right steps towards your mission? How can you use technology and data insights to create more impact with limited resources? How can you navigate typical ethical dilemmas and make decisions that align with your charity’s values?
Digital tools and AI bunnies: The Charity Excellence Framework is a one-stop shop to support your charity
- Article
- 29 Aug 2023
The Charity Excellence Framework helps charities ask the right questions, identify priorities and access relevant, trustworthy resources or organisations that can help charities improve, all with the help of artificial intelligence and a big vision.
Registering a charity: Charity structures and governing documents
- Article
- 29 Aug 2023
All charities should have a formal legal structure and governing document. Choosing the right structure will contribute to good governance and operation and to the organisation’s long-term success. It is possible to change structures once established, but converting can be complex so making the correct decision from the outset can save a lot of inconvenience.
Caution! Protect your charity from the rising threat of cyber attacks
- Article
- 03 Aug 2023
NCSC warns of increasing attacks, but help is available, including free NSCS Funded Cyber Essentials Programme for certain types of charities to help you keep client data safe.
Volunteering and governance
Recruiting charity trustees – top tips for crafting a successful recruitment ad
- Article
- 11 Mar 2024
Recruiting trustees is a crucial task for charities, as board members play a pivotal role in guiding the organisation, shaping its strategy and ensuring its mission is fulfilled effectively. However, many charities are hampered by board vacancies, so it’s never been more important to make your advertised role stand out from the crowd.
Celebrate Trusteeship. Share Your Story. Enter the Charity Governance Awards
- Article
- 27 Nov 2023
Charity Governance Awards are now accepting entries. Good governance should be celebrated, these awards aim to recognise and reward the charities and trustee boards for demonstrating excellence by shining shine a light on the people who make change possible day after day and showcasing the stories that demonstrate how effective governance can transform lives.
The Charity Treasurer: good with numbers, agile leader, star communicator
- Article
- 30 Aug 2023
Marking the publication of the sixth edition of The Charity Treasurer’s Handbook in mid-September, I spoke to its author, ICAEW member Elaine Alsop, about the skills required of charity treasurers, the rising demand for financial literacy on charity boards and where to find guidance and support.
Small charities need you: volunteering as an independent examiner
- Article
- 20 Jul 2023
Charities are always on the lookout for professionals to provide independent examinations – and as long as it’s pro bono and the charity is small, you may not need a practising certificate.
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