What are the best practices when you choose your independent examiner to review your accounts?

Under charity law, charities are subjected to two different forms of external scrutiny -independent examination and audit. An independent examination can be a preferred alternative for smaller charities because it is less costly, but it still provides trustees, funders, beneficiaries, stakeholders and the public with an assurance that the accounts of the charity have been reviewed by an independent person.

So how do you go about finding and choosing an examiner? Most people rely on word of mouth. A personal recommendation is always helpful, but just because someone knows the accountant, or they have done this work before, does not mean they and their business are the best fit for your organisaiton and your needs.

In the latest article for our small charities’ programme, CFG asked John O’Brien, CEO of Community Accounting Plus, to share some advice.

Log in as a member onto CFG’s website and read the article>>

If you are not yet a CFG member, register for free at www.cfg.org.uk/aim – membership is open to everyone in your organisation.

More from CFG

Finance Focus – March/April edition

In the March/April edition of Finance Focus, we explore the theme of CFG’s upcoming Annual Conference: “Purposeful and Empowering”. What do those words mean to you and your organisation?

Login on the CFG website to read your latest issue>>

Join the Finance in Grant Making Special Interest Group (FIGSIG) meeting
Tuesday 26 April
2.30pm- 4pm online

Join us for the FIGSIG meeting and learn more about how the financial aspects of funding can be tracked internally. We’ll also have an update on reporting under the next version of Charities SORP.

We will also be looking at project initial budgets and how to measure their actual use through the post award process including:

• Internal payment allocations
• Grant recipient budgets and expenditure tracking
• Post award process and funding outcomes

The FIGSIG meeting is free and open to all CFG members. If you are not yet a CFG member, register for free at www.cfg.org.uk/aim – membership is open to everyone in your organisation.

Book your place>>

Crisis and Disaster Recovery workshop
Wednesday 27 April
2pm – 3.30pm, online

Unexpected events can be a very painful shock to your charity, but there are ways to minimise their impact. This workshop will explore what action a charity can undertake in advance to save you time and money when disaster strikes. The session will offer tips for business continuity planning and then go on to how to create and evaluate a crisis management plan tailored to your organisation.
Tickets start at just £25 for CFG members.

Book your place>>