Final call - have your say on accounting guidance

Northern Ireland’s charity regulator is calling on all interested parties to have their say on new accounting and reporting guidance for registered charities - before it’s too late.

The guidance has been produced by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland to support charities in complying with new legislation, which commenced on 1 January 2016.

Commission Chief Executive, Frances McCandless, explained: “All charities in Northern Ireland, regardless of their income or size, will be affected by The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations.

“In fact, for many charities, the new regulations mark the first time they will be required annually to submit their accounts and reports to a regulator, with that information then made public on the register of charities.

“This is a big step for charities and our guidance is aimed at supporting them through that transition, so they understand what information they will be required to submit to the Commission, and when.”

The Commission has produced a suite of accounting and reporting guidance for charities and, with that guidance currently in draft format only, is seeking views from the public before finalising it later this year.  

The Commission is also seeking views on new, draft Directions for Independent Examiners, which examiners must follow when reviewing charity accounts.

Fiona Muldoon, Monitoring and Compliance Manager at the Commission, explained: “Our guidance will be a vital tool for charities and, through public consultation, we are keen to ensure it is clear, accessible and will meet the needs of those who use it.

“However, the consultation on our draft guidance will close on Friday 11 March 2016 so, with time running out, I am calling on everyone with an interest in this area to read the guidance and share their views, while they still can.”

For more information on the consultation, including how you can take part, click here.

The Commission’s accounting and reporting guidance consultation opened at 9am on Friday 18 December 2015 and will close at 5pm on Friday 11 March 2016.

Following this the Commission will collate and analyse the responses it has received, publishing a consultation report and a final version of the guidance later in 2016.

Ends

For more information please contact Shirley Kernan, Charity Commission for Northern Ireland Communications Officer, on tel: 028 3832 0169, mobile: 07827338978 or email: shirley.kernan@charitycommissionni.org.uk

Notes to editors

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is the regulator of charities in Northern Ireland, a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Social Development.

The Commission’s consultation is on the draft guidance only and the Commission is unable to change the regulations, which have been consulted on and developed by the Department for Social Development.