Trustees

Hodgson Review

Lord Hodgson has reported back to the government on his review of the Charities Act 2006, designed to simplify regulation and increase public confidence in charities. Here are some of the highlights and potential changes to be aware of.

Protecting against fraud

With over a billion pounds a year being lost by charities to financial abuse and fraud, it could be time to check those financial controls and make sure that you are compliant in your duty to protect your charity and its beneficiaries against it.

Here's some tools and guidance from the Charity Commission to help you do just that.

Public Benefit Reporting

Trustees are being encouraged to use the statutory 'public benefit reporting' requirement of their charity's work as an opportunity for two good reasons: 1) to become more familiar with the positive impact on beneficiaries and 2) then communicate that story more effectively – a bit of extra 'impact reporting'!

TrusteElearning

Free on-line learning covering everything you need to know about being an effective trustee. Spread over twelve modules, which you can do at your own pace and includes role descriptions, policy templates and model documents. More

Trustees Podcasts

The Charity Commission is producing ten minute podcasts for trustees on a range of subjects, the first one is on preventing fraud. More

File online – it's the only way!

As of this year, all Annual Returns and Updates to the Charity Commission must be filed online. No more bound and stapled paper copies! Find out about what you need to send, when and how to send it here.

Excepted charities deadline

The deadline for registration with the Commission for excepted charities with income less than £100K – which include scout and guide groups, armed forces charitable funds and charities connected with some Christian churches – has been extended to 31 March 2014.