Charities Independent Examination and Audit Services
Assurance and accounts support for trustees and not for profit teams.
Specialist Sectors
Assurance that supports trustees and builds donor confidence
Assurance and accounts support for trustees and not for profit teams.
Charities have specific reporting obligations under the Charities Act, and trustees carry personal responsibility for the accounts they approve. We provide independent examinations and audits that meet regulatory requirements, give trustees clear comfort on their obligations, and help funders and donors trust the numbers.
- Independent examination or audit conducted under Charity Commission requirements.
- Trustees' report review and statutory accounts preparation.
- Practical governance and financial controls guidance for charity boards.
Our approach
How we deliver charities independent examination and audit services
Governance and reporting obligations review
We confirm the charity's income, assets and structure to determine whether an independent examination or a full audit is required under the Charities Act, and review the trustees' report and financial statements format.
Independent examination or audit
We conduct the examination or audit in accordance with the Charity Commission's requirements, reviewing the accounts, testing the key transactions and ensuring the reporting reflects the Charities SORP correctly.
Reporting to trustees and submission
We present our findings to the trustee board, produce the independent examiner's or auditor's report, and ensure the accounts are submitted to the Charity Commission within the filing deadline.
Who this is for
Businesses and individuals that need
01
Registered charities with income over £25,000
Charities with annual income exceeding £25,000 must have their accounts independently examined or audited depending on income level and gross assets, under Charity Commission requirements.
02
Grant funded charities with reporting requirements
Charities receiving grants from central government, local authorities or lottery funds where the grant conditions require an independent examination or audit certificate as a condition of funding.
03
Charities with trading subsidiaries
Charities that have established trading companies to undertake commercial activities, where both the charity and the subsidiary require separate assurance and consolidated reporting to the Charity Commission.
Client feedback
“The independent examiner understood the Charities SORP, asked sensible questions and produced a clear report that our trustees could follow without an accounting background.”
Client review Charity, Hampshire
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
When does a charity need an audit rather than an independent examination?
A charity that is not a company requires an audit where annual income exceeds £1 million, or where gross assets exceed £3.26 million and income exceeds £250,000. A charitable company requires an audit where income exceeds £500,000. Below these thresholds, an independent examination is generally sufficient. We confirm the requirement for each charity before the engagement begins.
What is the Charities SORP?
The Charities SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice) sets out the principles and specific disclosures for charity accounts, including the treatment of restricted and unrestricted funds, the trustees' report, and the presentation of income and expenditure. We prepare and review charity accounts to the SORP standard as a matter of course.
What are the Charity Commission filing deadlines?
Registered charities with income above £25,000 must submit their annual report and accounts to the Charity Commission within ten months of the end of their financial year. We manage the examination and reporting timeline to ensure this deadline is met without last minute pressure.
What should trustees look for in the examiner's report?
A clean report confirms that nothing has come to the examiner's attention indicating that the accounts are not in accordance with the accounting and reporting requirements and that assets have not been applied in accordance with the charity's objects. Any matters of concern are reported to the trustees and, if material, to the Charity Commission. We discuss findings with trustees before the report is finalised.
Ready to take the next step?
Book an introductory meeting to discuss your specialist sectors needs with a specialist.