You're receiving this e-newsletter because you are either a client of WYCAS or have opted in via our website www.wycas.org.uk Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your browser .

wycas e-bulletin

Monday 30 January 2017

Charity Commission filing – last call!

With the 31 January deadline only a day away, it really is the last call for charities with a March year end to file their accounts on time with the Charity Commission. The Commission is keeping up the pressure on this important governance task; as a minimum, failure to meet reporting deadlines is publically highlighted on the Commission’s website. It has recently published guidance on helping charities to keep on top of their filing responsibilities.   As well as being an important from a governance perspective, a charity’s filing performance is also increasingly likely to impact on its chances of obtaining funding.

Back to top

March Finance Forum – guest speaker

A date for your diary! – We are delighted to have Gareth Lewis as our guest speaker at the next forum meeting on 21 March in Bradford. Gareth specialises in supporting organisations in financial difficulty and will be running a practical session on spotting the early warning signs of problems, actions to take and the options and help available. From prior experience, it will be a very interesting and informative session! Gareth is also available for free advice and consultation.

More general information about the Finance forum is available on our website. Recently we had some lovely feedback from a regular attender which exactly captures our objectives for the forum….. “The forum has been very beneficial to me. I’ve found it a great support, just meeting people doing what I’m doing.”

Back to top

Small charity – public reporting

In case you missed it, Nigel Davies of the Charity Commission released a very useful blog in the run-up to Christmas. Published via The Charity Finance Group’s Small Charities Programme (@cfg_smlcharity) the blog explains why the Trustees Annual Report and Annual Accounts are important and gives some simple and very practical guidance on how charities can improve their impact and ‘tell their story’ better through these documents.

Back to top

Museums, Arts and Heritage - Resilience not Reliance

There is a free event at the Carriageworks in Leeds on 2 February (between 5-8pm). This aims to bring together museums and arts and heritage organisations with socially responsible entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals to network and discuss how, through working collaboratively, cultural sector organisations can become more resilient and sustainable. There will be an opportunity to make connections and build relationships through networking events offering the ability to share skills, knowledge and expertise in a relaxed environment.

Resilience not Reliance has been developed in partnership with Museum Development Yorkshire, Sport in Museums Network, and the Arts Impact Fund.

Back to top

Local Giving - Sustainability report

The Local Giving Foundation has recently published an interesting ‘state of the sector’ report based on a survey of almost 600 local charities which provides a useful insight into the state of the local voluntary sector early in 2017.

It finds a continued escalation in the demand for the services of local charities and community groups (sound familiar!?). Whilst most groups are confident about their immediate survival, many are fearful about their long term prospects and the pace of change adapting to the evolving funding environment is slow. The report has a broad remit and in addition to funding and finance issues also covers workforce, collaborative working arrangements and public trust and confidence matters. It may be prove useful context and material for organisations reviewing their strategies and plans.

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