Thursday 28 July 2016

Making the accounts process easier!

Now that many 2015/16 accounting year ends have finished we are getting (particularly) busy with annual accounts work.  If we do your accounts for you, please remember to have a look at our short guide. This aims to make the process as efficient and effective as possible and will help us to give you the best service. Following the simple steps outlined will help us to turn your accounts round promptly. The guide also includes some hints and tips and covers important things such as timescales for filing your accounts with relevant regulators. If you have any queries please do let us know.

Please remember if you just drop off accounting records without making arrangements with us first or if they are not complete we can’t guarantee having them ready for when you want them!

Back to top

Charity Commission consultation – independent examinations

Just a reminder, the Charity Commission is currently consulting on proposed changes to its guidance on the external scrutiny of charity accounts - ‘Directions and guidance for independent examination, CC32’.

Amongst other changes, the proposals place a greater focus on considering conflicts of interest, charity sustainability and the requirements and options for examiner reporting. It also proposes a new plain English style format for the examiner’s report which is intended to more clearly communicate outcomes to trustees.

The consultation will be important reading for all those involved or interested in charity finance. The deadline for responding is 30 September. WYCAS will be making a response and we are happy to incorporate any feedback and views we receive from our clients.

Back to top

Upcoming accredited E-learning finance course

We will be rolling out a new E-Learning course on Financial Practice and Procedures later in the year. This will be accredited at NVQ Level 3 and will cover all the basics of good financial management.  The course will be suitable for trustees, finance workers, volunteer treasurers and anyone else in the third sector interested in developing their financial management knowledge and skills. There is a dedicated page on our website if you would like to know more details about what the course will cover or register an initial interest.

Back to top

Companies – new confirmation statement is in force

From the end of June the company annual return has been replaced by the confirmation statement.  Whilst serving roughly the same purpose as the annual return, instead of providing a snapshot of company data at a particular date you now have to ‘check and confirm’ the information Companies House hold is accurate. There is also a requirement in your first confirmation statement to include information held in your people with significant control (PSC) register which companies should have set up from April. Companies House has produced a blog highlighting the key changes and practicalities. (We covered details about the new PSC register requirements in an earlier e-bulletin)

Back to top

Free marketing guide

Not specifically finance related but marketing is another area which VCS organisations can often struggle with. We came across this useful guide recently which is aimed at small community enterprises. Developed by CIC Community Catalysts, it offers clear and practical guidance on a range of marketing topics including setting up a website, using social media and getting your message right.

Back to top

Charity Commission annual report

Earlier this month the Charity Commission published its 2015/16 annual report. It provides an interesting and informative summary of the Commission’s focus, activity and findings over the last year. In particular the Commission sets out how it is progressing in its key strategic priority areas:

• Protecting charities from abuse or mismanagement
• Enabling trustees to run their charities effectively
• Encouraging greater transparency and accountability by
  charities
• Operating as an efficient, expert regulator with sustainable
  funding

Back to top

Finance forum - guest takeover!

A date for your diary and some advance notice about our next finance forum. The Charity Finance Group (CFG) are rolling out a national programme of support for smaller charities which WYCAS is supporting locally. We have arranged for CFG to run our September meeting which takes place in Bradford on 21 September. The session as with all our other forum meetings is free to all our clients (not just those in Bradford). More information about the forum is available here and we will be post further details about the September meeting in the next few weeks.

Back to top

E-bulletin

Our e-bulletin is issued on a monthly basis and sent directly to registered subscribers. It is also available from our website. Please note that information and resources contained in the e-bulletin are general in nature and not intended as specific advice or recommendations. We welcome any feedback on the content and format so that we can improve it and make sure it meets your needs. Please let us know  if you have any comments or suggestions.

Back to top

Our services

WYCAS provides a range of specialist services designed to meet the needs of the third sector:

• One to one support and training
• Preparation of year-end accounts
• Independent examination
• Financial training courses and workshops
• Computerising accounts
• Bookkeeping and management accounts
• Advice and information
• Bespoke consultancy projects

Back to top