## **THE ASSOCIATION**
## **OF**
## **CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS**
## **REPORT OF TRUSTEES**
## **For the year ended 30[th] September 2023**
**Charity No: 1118605**
**Company No: 06113479**
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## **The Association of Charitable Organisations Trustees Report for the year ended 30 September 2023**
## **Co-Chair’s Foreword**
Whilst the last year has proved financially challenging, ACO has continued to provide an effective forum for our membership - charities that provide financial and wellbeing support to individuals – to share expertise, experience and resources and build strong working relationships.
During the course of the year, we’ve looked to increase our engagement with members through our range of special interest groups. In particular, following the success of our Caseworker conference in March, we have launched a regular Caseworker Forum to address challenges faced specifically by colleagues in casework/grants teams. In addition, recognising the interest of our members in regionally defined charities, we held meetings of both Scottish grant-makers as well as a broader Regional Charities group.
We have continued to explore – and participate in – collaborative relationships with other partners in the voluntary sector. Our continuing relationship with the Lightning Reach online grants portal has seen increasing numbers of ACO members establish themselves on the platform to enable ease of access and increased awareness of their financial support services. At the same time, working with 360Giving has enabled ACO members to now publish their grants data on their platform, enabling not only benchmarking opportunities but greater visibility to funders, regulators and external stakeholders.
It's been important that we are able to effectively manage membership data and in line with this we have invested in the transition to a new CRM platform which we believe will provide a stronger base to effectively segment and communicate with charities and colleagues across the network. This will not only prove a valuable retention tool but also support more systematic recruitment activity.
As we come to the end of our financial year, we’ve been delighted to learn that we have been successful in our application to the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Large Grants Fund. Moving forward, this funding will enable us to develop and launch our proposed “Frontline Worker Training Programme” which will run over 2024-25 providing a range of customised training modules specifically relevant to caseworker and grant teams. This will prove a tremendous start to our new financial year.
Moving forward, we remain positive that ACO can continue to play an active role in championing our ACO membership and we look forward to working with our network colleagues to explore increasing opportunities to support this community.
Jodie Gill Juliet Smithson
ACO Co-Chairs
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## **The Association of Charitable Organisations Trustees Report for the year ended 30 September 2023**
## **Contents**
1. Objectives & Activities
- Status
- Charitable Objects
2. Achievements & Performance
- Thought Leadership
- Knowledge Sharing
- Collaboration
- Technology
3. Structure, Governance & Management
- Governance
- Trustee Appointments/Retirement
- Leadership Appointments
- Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement
- Administration
- Risk
- Membership
- Statement of Public Benefit
4. Financial Review
- Financial Sustainability
- Reserves Policy - Remuneration Policy for key management personnel
5. Plans for the Future
6. In Appreciation
7. Charity Information
- Trustees
- Chief Executive
- Secretary
- Professional Advisers
8. Annual Accounts 2022-23
- Statement of Financial Activities
- Balance Sheet
- Notes to the Accounts
9. Independent Examiner’s report
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## **The Association of Charitable Organisations Trustees Report for the year ended 30 September 2023**
## **1. OBJECTIVES and ACTIVITIES**
## **Status**
The Association of Charity Officers (ACO) was founded in 1946. In June 2011 members agreed to a change of name from Association of Charity Officers to Association of Charitable Organisations. This represented a shift in emphasis from individuals working within member charities to member charities as a whole.
ACO is a registered charity, number 1118605 and a Company Limited by guarantee, company registration number is 6113479. From 1[st] February 2022 the address of ACO’s registered office is 28 Commercial Street London E1 6LS.
## **Charitable objects**
ACO’s objects are “to promote for the public benefit the efficiency and effectiveness of charities, particularly but not exclusively those which relieve individuals in need, by assisting in their better administration and promoting the sharing of information and practices useful to these charities.” ACO achieves its objects by:
- Undertaking research into the work and impact of our members;
- Encouraging developments and innovations in service delivery for wider benefit;
- Enabling collaborative and collective working and responses between members;
- Providing members with timely information, training and advice;
- Influencing the law and public policy affecting the work of its members;
- Providing forums for networking, learning and peer support across the individual grant giving sector.
## **2. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Thought Leadership**
In June ACO launched its report (conducted by Pro Bono Economics) “More than Making Do: Understanding the Economic Impact of Essential Household Appliances.” The project itself was managed by members of ACO’s Evaluation and Impact Group and financially supported by the combination of ACO charities and funding from the Fusion21 foundation.
The report launch prompted media coverage, including a feature on ITN News regarding appliance poverty and provided a strong showcase for ACO’s ability to facilitate, produce and publish a rigorous piece of research.
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## **The Association of Charitable Organisations Trustees Report for the year ended 30 September 2023**
## **Knowledge Sharing**
ACO maintained its regular event programme across the year, with the primary focus around the Special Interest Groups, which provided a forum for ACO colleagues to come together around both functional (role specific) and thematic issues.
During the course of 2022-23 new groups were introduced including a Caseworker Forum, providing an opportunity to address themes specific to casework/grants teams, as well as a Regional Charities group. ACO also convened a meeting of Scottish benevolent charities – facilitated by member The Royal Society for the Support of Women in Scotland – in order to consider issues specific to the Scottish region and regulatory landscape.
Other special interest groups convened over this period included:
- CEO Forum International Beneficiaries
- Small Charities Marcomms
- Anti-Fraud Fundraising
- Evaluation & Impact
## **Collaboration**
During the course of the year ACO continued to participate in several collaborative projects including:
- 360Giving – working with a steering group to enable grantmaking to individuals data to be incorporated onto their current 360Giving data platform. The objective has been to develop greater visibility around grant-making to individuals data, which in turn will then benefit charities’ relationships with funders/external agencies & stakeholders. It will also hopefully provide an opportunity to develop more effective operational practices through benchmarking between organisations.
- Lightning Reach grants portal – having initially contributed as a founding member of their Social Innovation Council (an advisory group supporting the product development of the platform) ACO have continued to actively support the promotion of the portal to ACO members, as a channel to promote ease of access to/wider awareness of financial support from member charities.
## **Technology**
During the course of 2023 ACO invested in the transition from a former database to a customized CRM platform – Beacon. This has enabled ACO to segment its membership and build the basis for improved engagement and communication activity moving forward.
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**The Association of Charitable Organisations Trustees Report for the year ended 30 September 2023**
## **3. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governance**
## **Trustee Appointment/Retirement**
Four Trustees were appointed to the Board at the 2023 AGM (31 July)
- Katharine King (Society of Authors)
- Ed Holloway (Bank Workers Charity)
- Alison Wyman (Actors Benevolent Fund)
- Paddy Zervudachi (Buttle UK)
At the same time, the following trustees retired from the Board following the completion of their two terms of office:
- D’Arcy Myers (former Chair)
- John Brown (former Treasurer)
- Caroline Aldred
## **Leadership appointments**
Following D’Arcy Myers retirement as Chair, Jodie Gill and Juliet Smithson were appointed as Board Co-Chairs. Similarly, Katharine King was appointed Treasurer following John Brown’s retirement.
A strong and effective board is synonymous with a strong and effective organisation. ACO will continue to attract and recruit high calibre sector individuals to contribute as Trustees. The Board will continue to recruit new members - when required - to fill gaps in the present array of skills and to maintain a diverse range of organisations represented.
The Trustees of the Charity, as defined in the Companies Act 2006, are also Directors for the purposes of charity law. Eligibility for election to the board of trustees is for up to fifteen trustees, two thirds of whom must be a nominated representative of a charity member organisation at the time of appointment. Elections are governed by the Articles, (a copy of which may be obtained from the secretary or on the website).
Trustees are elected at the AGM for a term of office of three years. A retiring trustee may stand for re-election but may not be re-elected after serving for six years until three years from the date of his/her second retirement.
The Trustees met regularly during the financial year, to undertake their governance role in ensuring the effective strategic, operational, and financial performance of the organisation.
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## **The Association of Charitable Organisations Trustees Report for the year ended 30 September 2023**
## **Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement**
The Trustees (who are also directors of the Association of Charitable Organisations for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law) including FRS102 the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in UK and Republic of Ireland. Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they’re satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it’s inappropriate to presume that the charitable group will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They’re also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees confirm that so far as each Trustee is aware, there is no relevant information of which the charitable company’s independent examiner is unaware; and the Trustees have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as Trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the charitable company’s independent examiner is aware of that information. The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. The Trustees have taken the exemption available to small companies and haven’t prepared a strategic report.
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## **The Association of Charitable Organisations Trustees Report for the year ended 30 September 2023**
## **Administration**
The day-to-day management of the Charity has been delegated to the Chief Executive, supported by a small staff team.
ACO has a risk register that is reviewed regularly by trustees. Key risk areas this year included:
_**Risk Area Mitigation**_ Insufficient income to sustain core activities Stringent budgetary planning in place/regular management accounts review/increase in membership numbers/ Loss of core staff Succession planning/systems & project documentation/role support Staff burnout/turnover due to working practices Weekly team meetings - regular review of workload. Annual appraisals review broader Job Descriptions and amendments made where necessary. Financial mismanagement Strong Treasurer function on Board/regular financial monitoring/annual Independent Examiner review Trustee body lacks relevant skillsets Skills gaps analysis, trustee recruitment and induction process
## **Membership**
Charity membership of the Association was 134 on 30th September 2022.
## **Statement of Public Benefit**
Trustees have regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and consider that ACO’s activities have provided public benefit, through helping benevolence charities optimise their own public benefit through a range of approaches, which include best practice initiatives, networking opportunities, and influencing policy where this is likely to impact on member charities and those they serve.
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## **The Association of Charitable Organisations Trustees Report for the year ended 30 September 2023**
## **4. FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Financial Sustainability**
During the course of 2022-23, ACO worked to balance increasing service delivery against the need for stringent cost controls. Whilst ACO was able to meet charity membership income targets - increasing net membership numbers - maintaining income from corporate partners proved more challenging.
At the same time, the organisation faced increased costs relating to technology projects (the introduction of a new CRM platform and transition to a SharePoint server environment) as well as the independent examiner review of financial statements (which had previously been conducted pro bono).
The subsequent year end deficit of £13,050 reduced our reserves to £15,298.
## **Reserves Policy**
Any organisation requires reserves to safeguard itself against major fluctuations in income or delays in income being received and or unexpected items of expenditure. Our objective has been to maintain our free reserves at a level of six months’ expenditure to give the Board the security of being able to plan for the long term as well as continue to be able to pay necessary expenses such as salaries. Unrestricted reserves as of 30th September 2023 were standing at £15,298 against £28,347 (2021-22) broadly 1 - 1.5 months of our actual expenditure for 2022-23. The financial position is closely monitored by the Board on a regular basis and reserves are considered by the Board as part of this monitoring exercise.
## **Remuneration policy for key management personnel**
The ACO board decides remuneration for staff on an annual basis. The aim is to offer a fair salary to attract and retain staff to lead and support the delivery of the Charity’s aims and objectives. Cost of living increases were awarded to staff reflecting rising living costs whilst maintaining budgetary controls.
## **Going concern**
The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charitable company to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the trustees have considered the charitable company’s forecasts and projections and have taken account of pressures on income. After making enquiries the trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charitable company therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
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## **The Association of Charitable Organisations Trustees Report for the year ended 30 September 2023**
## **5. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE**
In addition to managing the full events programme during the course of the year, ACO will be implementing two key projects during the course of 2023-24:
- Frontline Worker training programme – delivering a range of training modules designed specifically for caseworkers/grants teams over a two-year period. Planned 2024 sessions will include areas such as Welfare Benefits Updates, Safeguarding for Call Handlers and Domestic Violence Awareness.
- Salary Benchmarking Survey – the launch of our first Salary Benchmarking report which will provide a valuable snapshot of current pay awards, remuneration and benefits levels across ACO member charities as well as identifying some of the significant changes in working patterns post-covid.
## **6. IN APPRECIATION**
At the heart of ACO is a collaborative ethos – ‘we are better together’. The trustees would accordingly like to give sincere thanks and express their appreciation to:
- ACO staff for their assistance to Trustees and members during the year;
- Haysmacintyre LLP, Independent Examiner, for their support and advice;
- Our Corporate and Charity partners – including our event sponsors;
- All ACO members for their continued support, participation and contribution which enables our network to continue to thrive.
Signed: Date: 12 July 2024
Jodie Gill, Co-Chair, on behalf of the Trustees of the Association of Charitable Organisations
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## **The Association of Charitable Organisations Trustees Report for the year ended 30 September 2023**
## **7. CHARITY INFORMATION**
**Trustees** - The trustees who held office during the financial year were as follows:
Jodie Gill (Co-Chair) - caba
Juliet Smithson (Co-Chair) - Lionheart
Katherine King (Treasurer) - Society of Authors (appointed 30/07/23)
Liam Evans - IPPR
Caroline Gee - Evelyn Partners
Victoria Crawford - World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Ed Holloway – Bank Workers Charity (appointed 30/07/23)
Alison Wyman – Actors Benevolent Fund (appointed 30/07/23)
Paddy Zervudachi – Buttle UK (appointed 30/07/23)
D’Arcy Myers (resigned 30/07/23)
John Brown (resigned 30/07/23)
Caroline Aldred (resigned 30/07/23)
## **Chief Executive** Donal Watkin
## **Company Secretary** Donal Watkin
## **Professional advisers**
## **Bankers:**
Unity Trust Bank Plc, Nine Brindley Place, Birmingham B1 2HB
CCLA Investment Management Limited, 80 Cheapside, London EC2V 6DZ
## **Independent Examiner:**
Siobhan Holmes, Director, Haysmacintyre LLP, 10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1AG
## **Solicitors:**
Russell-Cooke, 2 Putney Hill, London SW15 6AB
## **Insurers:**
PIB Group, Rossington’s Business Park, West Carr Road, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7SW
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## **ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2022 - 2023**
## **ASSOCIATION OF CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH] SEPTEMBER 2023**
|Notes
**INCOME**
Members Subscriptions
2
Other income
3
Interest (Gross)
**Total Income**
**EXPENDITURE**
Direct Charitable Expenditure
4
Governance Costs
4
**Total Expenditure**
4
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR YEAR
Balance Brought Forward
1/10/2022
Balance Carried Forward
30/9/2023
10||2022-23
(General)
£
119,550
33,000
379|2022-23
(Restricted)
£
0
26,500
0|2022-23
Total
£
119,550
59,500
379|2021-22
£
116,175
31,020
47
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||152,929|26,500|179,429|147,242|
|||161,864
4,115|24,690
0|186,554
4,115|158,996
717|
|||165,979|24,690|190,669|159,713|
|||||||
|||(13,050)
28,348|1,810
0|(11,240)
28,348|(12,471)
40,818|
|||15,298|1,810|17,108|28,347|
Restricted income comprises of financial contributions from 11 ACO members for the ACO report _"_ More than Making Do: Understanding the Economic Impact of Essential Household Appliances _."_
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 15 to 20 for part of these financial statements.
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## **ASSOCIATION OF CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS**
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER 2023**
|Notes
**Current Assets**
Unity Trust Bank plc (Custom
Current Account)
CCLA COIF – Deposit Account
Sundry Debtors and
Prepayments
**Total Current Assets**
Less Creditors falling due
within one year
9
**Net Current Assets**
**Total assets less current**
**liabilities**
Creditors falling due after
more than one year
9
**NET ASSETS**
10
**FUNDS**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**||2022-23
General
£
15,269
10,932
10,855|2022-23
Restricted
£
1,810
0
0|2022-23
Total
£
17,080
10,932
10,855|2021-22
£
10,375
10,552
20,803|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||
||37,056
(21,758)||1,810
0|38,867
(21,758)|41,730
(13,383)|
||15,298||1,810|17,108|28,347|
||0
15,298||0
1,810|0
17,108|0
28,347|
||15,298
0||0
1,810|15,298
1,810|28,347
0|
||15,298||1,810|17,108|28,347|
For the financial year ended 30[th] September 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 Companies Act 2006. No member of the company has deposited a notice, pursuant to section 476, requiring an audit of these financial statements under the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
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## **BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)**
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its surplus or deficit for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of section 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and with Financial Reporting Standard 102.
The notes on pages 15 - 20 form part of these financial statements.
> Approved by the Board for issue on 2024 and signed on their behalf 16 July by:
Jodie Gill, Chair:
Katharine King, Honorary Treasurer:
Company Registration No: 06113479
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## **ASSOCIATION OF CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 30[th] September 2023**
## 1. **Accounting Policies**
## (a) Basis of preparation
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared under the historical cost convention in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) Charities SORP (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011/Companies Act 2006. FRS 102 has been adopted for the first time when preparing these financial statements. The transition date to FRS 102 was 1 October 2014 and the last financial statements prepared under the previous financial reporting framework were prepared for the year ended 31 September 2015. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity.
## (b) Going concern
The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charitable company to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the trustees have considered the charitable company’s forecasts and projections and have taken account of pressures on income. After making enquiries the trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charitable company therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
## (c) Income
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
## Subscriptions are accounted for in the year to which they relate.
## (d) Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, is it probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
## (e) Financial Instruments
Basic financial instruments are measured at amortised cost other than investments which are measured at fair value.
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## **ASSOCIATION OF CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 30[th] September 2023**
## 1. **Accounting Policies (continued)**
## (f) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
## (g) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
## (h) Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be reliably estimated.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services if must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
## (i) Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors of which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in these financial statements.
## (j) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement
In preparing financial statements it is necessary to make certain judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts recognised in the financial statements. In the view of the trustees in applying the accounting policies adopted, no judgements were required that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements, nor do any estimates.
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## **ASSOCIATION OF CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 30[th] September 2023**
|
2.
**Members’ Subscriptions**
Charity members
Corporate members|2022-23
General
2022-23
Restricted
£
£
97,300
0
22,250
0
119,550
0|2022-23
Total
2021-22
£
£
97,300
91,915
22,250
24,260
119,550
116,175|
|---|---|---|
All of the members’ subscriptions income in 2021-22, was to unrestricted funds.
## 3. **Other Income**
|Advertising|3,200|0|5,100|5,100|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Conferences and events|29,300|0|22,920|22,920|
|Donations|500|0|500|0|
|Projects|0|26,500|26,500|3,000|
||33,000|26,500|59,500|31,020|
Of the total other income in 2021-22, £3,000 was to restricted funds, with the balance of £28,020 being to unrestricted funds.
|
4.
**Total Expenditure**
Governance
7
Office Overheads
8
Service Delivery
Staff Costs
5
Sundry Expenses|2022-23
General
2022-23
Restricted
£
£
4,115
0
7,494
0
38,749
24,690
115,457
0
164
0
165,979
24,690|2022-23
Total
2021-22
£
£
4,115
717
7,494
6,344
63,439
37,576
115,457
114,915
164
162
190,669
159,713|
|---|---|---|
Of the total expenditure incurred in 2021-22, £10,840 was from restricted funds, with the balance of £148,873 being from unrestricted funds.
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## **ASSOCIATION OF CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 30[th] September 2023**
## 5. **Employee Costs and numbers**
|Gross Salaries
Employer National Insurance
Employer Pension Contributions
Recruitment Costs
Other Staff Costs
Staff Numbers
Full Time
Part Time||2022-23
£
101,949
5,799
2,792
0
4,917
115,457
2022-23
2
1|2021-22
£
99,174
5,838
2,976
710
6,217
114,915|
|---|---|---|---|
||||2021-22
2
1|
One member of key management earned more than £60,000 (2022: one).
## 6. **Pension Costs**
The pension staging date for auto-enrolment was in January 2017 and ACO has set up an appropriate scheme for employees. The 2 full time members of staff have enrolled into the NEST Scheme. The part time member of staff does not meet the qualifying requirements.
## 7. **Trustees’ Remuneration and Expenses**
No remuneration was paid to any Trustee, but reimbursement has been made of necessary travel expenses of £102 (2022: £65) for Trustees included under Governance costs. No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.
## 8. **Lease**
There is no lease on office accommodation. The property that was occupied was governed under a memorandum of agreement in which there are no liabilities.
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## **ASSOCIATION OF CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 30[th] September 2023**
## 9. **Creditors**
|**Creditors**|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Creditors falling due within**
**one year**
Sundry Creditors
**Analysis of Net Assets**
Current Assets
Current Liabilities|2022-23
General
£
37,056
(21,758)
15,298|2022-23
Restricted
£
1,810
0
1,810|||2022-23
£
21,758|2021-22
£
13,383|
|||||2022-23
Total
£
38,866
(18,758)
17,108||2021-22
£
41,730
(13,383)
28,347|
## 10. **Analysis of Net Assets**
All net assets in 2021-22 were unrestricted funds.
## 11. **Related party transactions**
During the year the Charity did not undertake any transactions with any related parties (2022: none), and there were no balances outstanding with any related parties at the Balance sheet date (2022: none).
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## **ASSOCIATION OF CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 30[th] September 2023**
## **Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of The Association of Charitable Organisations**
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30[th] September 2023.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’s Trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my independent examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
- accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
- the accounts do not accord with those records; or
- the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
- the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to
which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Date: 16 July 2024
Siobhan Holmes ACA Haysmacintyre LLP 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1AG
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