Charlty regSstered numbers: 1139609 IEngland and Wales) and SC039066 Iscotlandl Association of Charity Independent Examiners (A Charitable Incorporated Organi5ationl Unaudited Trustees, report and financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2026
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl TrustÈÈs' rèport and financial statÈmÈnts for thé yèar endèd 31 Marth 2026 Contents Page Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers Trustees, report Purpose Objects History and structure Governance and membership Recognition in UK charity legislation Trustees Organisational Structure Achievements and performance in 202512026 Conversion to an CIO Activities Improving the standard of independent examination Training events Conferences Outreach Independent Examiner Workbook Public benefit Subscribing Members Financial review 6-7 Reserves policv Challenges for 202612027 Risk management Accounting and reporting responsibilities Approval Independent Examiner's report on financial statements Financial 5tatement5 10-17 Statement of Receipts and Payments Statement of Balances IAssets and Liabilitiesl Notes to the financial statements io li 12-17
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl Refèrèntè and administrativè details of thè Charity, its Trustèès and advisèrs for thé yèar èndèd 31 March 2026 Name Association of Charity Independent Examiners I'ACIE") Governing document ACIE'5 Foundation CIO Constitution, dated 15 September 2023 ACIE'5 Foundation CIO Constitution, dated 15 September 2023 Ion 14 June 2024, the Charity Commission for England and Wales advised that this document. which was submitted with ACIE'S application to convert from a charitable eompany to a CIO. was now ACIE'S governing document.) Charity registered numbers 1139609 IEngland and Wales) and SC039066 Isctstlandl Registered office 1st Floor, Block C The Wharf Manchester Road Burnley BBII IIG Trustèes and CIO Members 5uzanna Penny Clarke * Muhammad Husnain Haider t Isabel Harland Mark Robert Heaton ** Taminder Singh Pattar t Ifrom 25 February 20261 5iu Riley Michael William Scott Anthony Richard Vincent *t Anthony Gerard Clarke * (to 18 May 20261 Denotes an ACIE Fellow. t Denotes a member of one or more of the bodies listed in section 145141 of the Charities Act 2011. Bankers Unity Trust Bank PLC Four Brindleyplace Birmingham BI 2JB Independent Examiner Anita C Mason BA (Honsl BFP FCA Mitchell Charlesworth Suites C, D, E & F 14th Floor The Plaza Old Hall Street Liverpool L3 9QJ Page I
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl TrustÈÈs' réport for the ar èndèd 31 Marth 2026 The Trustees of Association of Charity Independent Examiners I'ACIE") present their report and the financial statements of ACIE (together with the Independent Examiner's report thereonl for the year ended 31 March 2026. Purposè ACIE is an association of people who carry out Independent Examinations I IES") of charities. financial statements, providing support and information to its Subscribing Members. charities and other interested parties. The purpose of ACIE is to protnote best practice in IE. Objects ACIE'S objects are specified in Clause 3 of ACIE'S Foundation CIO Constitution. dated 15 September 2023 1"ACIE's Foundation CIO Con5titution"I, as follow5.. The objects of the CIO lie ACIEI areto promote the greater effectiveness of charitie5 in the United Kingdom in the achievement of their charitable objects.. 3.1.1 by providing advice. support and training to any person acting or wishing to act as an Independent Examiner of charity accounts,. 3.1.2 by promoting and maintaining high standards of practice and professional conduct through and by its members Isee Note belowl.. and 3.1.3 by providing trustee5 of charities with information in connertion with the selertion and appointment of Independent Examiners. Nothing in ACIE'S Foundation CIO Constitution shall authorise an application of ACIE'S property for purposes which are not charitable in accordance with section 7 of the Charitie5 and Trustee Investment (Scotlandl Act 2005 and Section 2 of the Charities Act INorthern Ireland) 2008. (Note.. For the purposes of clause 3, 'its members" means Collectively.. lal all CIO Members.. and Ibl all persons (including all Subscribing Membersl in one or other of the classes and categories of non-voting membership created in accordance with clause 17 thereof.1 Hlstory and structure In 1998, Association of Charity Independent Examiners I'the Association I began on an informal basis, and formally came into being as an independent organisation at a Launch Conference held in York on 21 January 1999. From l July 1999. the Association (governed by 3 constitution as an unincorporated a550ciationl became an active body able to receive 5ubscription5 etc 3nd hold fvnd5. On 25 August 1999, the Association was registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number.. 10771541. On 11 Oecember 2007. the Association wa5 registered as a charity in Scotland (charity number.. SC0390661. On 6 December 2010, Association of Charity Independent Examiners la company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, company number.. 074611341 I'the Charitable Company I was incorporated. It was governed by its Articles of Association dated 6 December 2010. On 31 December 2010.. the Charitable Company was registered a5 a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales Icharity number.. 11396091, with the same charitable objects as the Association,. and the Association's assets, liabilities and activities were transferred to the Charitable Company. Page 2
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl TrustÈÈs' rèport for the ar èndèd 31 Marth 2026 ItontinuÈdl On 14 June 2024, the Charity Commission for England and Wales advised that.. the Charitable Company's application to convert to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation I'CIO") called 'Asstsciation of Charity Independent Examiners, I'ACIE I had been successful,. and the governing document submitted with the Charitable Company's 3pplication for the CIO conversion In3mely. ACIE'S Foundation CIO Constitution, dated 15 September 20231 wa5 now ACIE'S governing document. The charity registration number in England and Wales (charity number.. 11396091 has remained the same from the Charitable Company to ACIE las a CIO). The charity registration number in Scotland has remained the same (charity nurnber.. SC0390661 frorn the A550ciation to the Charitable Company to ACIE la5 a CIO). Governance and membership The CIO Members of ACIE are its Trustees for the time being. The only persons eligible to be CIO Members are its Trustees. Metnber5hip of the CIO cannot be transferred to anyone else. Ariy person who ceases to be a Trustee automatically ceases to be a CIO Member. ACIE has three principal classes of Subscribing Members.. Full Members IACIE Fellows), Full Members IACIE Associates) and Affiliate Members. Unles5 they are also CIO Members, persons who are in any Subscribing Membership or other class of non-voting membership do not qualify as 'members" of the CIO for any purpose under the Charitie5 Art 2011, the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (Generall Regulations 2012 or the Charitable Incorporated Organisations Ilnsolvency and Dissolutionl Regulations 2012. ACIE'5 Foundation CIO Constitution is supported by Regulation5 and a Code of Ethic5 that apply to ACIE'S Subscribing Members. Full Members are also bound by the Regulations for F(Jll Members. Affiliate Members seeking Full Membership are also bound by the relevant sections of the Regulations for Full Members. Recognition in UK charity lègislation If they are independent of the charity, and the charity is not required to have its financial statements audited by a registered auditor.. ACIE Fellows are eligible to accept appointment as Independent Examiner of- any charity registered in England and Wales (sections 144 and 145 of the Charities Act 20111,. any Charity registered in Scotland IRegulatitsn 11 of The Charities Accounts Iscotlandl Regulations 20061,. and any charity registered in Northern Ireland (section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 20081,. and as long as they do not breach the licence restrictions imposed by ACIE when it awarded them ACIE Full Membership as an ACIE Associate, ACIE Associates are eligible to accept appointment as Independent Examiner of.. any charity registered in Scotland IRegulation 11 of The Charities Accounts Iscotlandl Regulations 20061,. and any charity registered in Northern Ireland (section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 20081. Trustees There must be at least three Trustees on ACIE'S Board.. the maximum number is nine. Every Trustee must be a natural person. At least one third of the Tru5tee5 must be an ACIE Fellow or a member of one of the bodies listed in section 145141 of the Charities Act 2011. Apart from the first Trustees of ACIE las a CIO) from 14 June 2024. every Trustee must be appointed for a term of three vears by a resolution passed at a properly tonvened meeting of the Trustees. In selecting individuals ftsr appointment as Trustees, the Trustees must have regard to the Skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of ACIE. Page 3
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl TrustÈÈs' rèport for the ar èndèd 31 Marth 2026 ItontinuÈdl A Trustee who has served for three consecutive terms may not be reappointed for a fourth consecutive term, but may be reappointed after an interval of at least one year. The names of the Trustee5 who have Served since l April 2025 are shown on page l above. All of them are Subscribing Members. Organisational structure The Trustee5 normally meet at least three times a year to consider the busine55 of ACIE. In 202512026. two meeting5 were held in Manchester, and one was held in London. In 202412025, three meetings were held in Manchester, and two were held virtually via Zoom. A number of Trustees. together with 3 number of other Subscribing Member5. a150 participated in the Membership Committee. which met a5 required. Achievements and performance in 202512026 Actlvltles Activities during the year included: arranging and running training courses and conferences; publishing a number of newsletters and bulletins for Subscribing Members, which addressed key changes in charity finance regulation and other matters of interest to Independent Examiners and preparers of charitv financial statements,. an enquiry service for Subscribing Members, non-members and charities seeking an Independent Examiner.. awarding the professional qualification of Full Membership, designated by ACIE IACIE Associate) or FCIE IACIE Fellow),. and collaboration with other bodies where this furthered ACIE'S objects. Improvlng thestondord of Independent Exominutlon ACIE promotes and maintains high standards of practice, in part through progression to Full Membership. ACIE'S Membership Committee decided that, with a view to increasing pass rates, all applicants for ACIE Full Membership on or after l January 2025 (including any applying for a second or subsequent timel must have attended and completed the following training events-. Applicant to be an ACIE Fellow.. 'Applying For Full Membership, workshop- and Courses A. B and C. 121 Applicant for a licence. as an ACIE Associate Member, to art as independent examiner for charities publishing financial statements prepared on an accruals basis: 'Applying For Full Membership, workshop; and Courses A. B and C. 131 Applicarit for a licence. as an ACIE Associate Member, to att as independent examiner for charities publishing financial statement5 prepared on a receipt5 and payrnents basi5: 'Applying For Full Mernbership, workshop; and Courses A and B. Course A- Building your Independent Examination skills Course 8- Chèrity Accounts Prepared tsn a Receipts arid Payments Basis Course C- Charity Account5 Prepared on an Accruals Basi5 Page 4
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl TrustÈÈs' rèport for the ar èndèd 31 Marth 2026 ItontinuÈdl Trainlng events In 202512026, we ran 38 trainin8 events, as follows.. Course A- Building your Independent Examination skills-. UK-wide13 hoursl- run four times Course 8 - Charity Accounts Prepared on a Receipts and Payrnents Basis (England and Wales) - two sessions of seven hours each Course B- Charity Accounts Prepared on a Receipts and Payments Basis (Scotland and Northern Ireland) three sessions of two hours each Course C- Charity Accounts Prepared on an Accruals Basis (England and Wales) two sessions of seven hours each Course C- Charity Accounts Prepared on an Accrua15 Basis (Scotland arid Northern Irelandl- one 5es5ion of two hours each 'Applying for Full Membership, workshop run three times, online,. 18 lunchtime webinars of one hour each, each addressing a different aspect of IE or charity accounting. 5 ACIE Scotland branch meetings Conferences ACIE planned three conferences for 202512026: The England and Wales conference was held on 15 May 2025 at the offices of Quilter Cheviot in London, with 27 people and two exhibitors paying to attend. The Scotland and Northern Ireland conference, due to be held on 9 October 2025 in Glasgow, had to be cancelled due to poor registration numbers. The UK-wide online conference was held on 13 November 2025. organisations paid to make a presentation. 65 people paid to attend. and three Outreach ACIE'S outreach work continued to work well with what has become regular contributions to the National Federation of Women's Institutes INFWII, the MSC Charity Accounting and Management 5tudent5 at the Bayes 8u5ines5 School, and undergraduates at Liverpool john Moores University. ACIE continued to work with its traditional partners, Association of Church Accountants & Treasurers IACATI, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations ISCVOI, and The Honorary Treasurers Forum (Honorary Treasurers). ACIE worked with The National Council for Voluntary Organi5ation INCVOI, Wale5 Council for Voluntary Action IWCVAI and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales IICAEWI to develop new links. ACIE'S Development Manager, Farah Mendlesohn was a speaker at events run by Wales Council for Voluntary Action IWCVAI and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations1SCVOI. Audiences were significantly larger than in previous years. ACIE'S Chair, Mark Heaton was invited io a number of conferences. ACIE continued to respond to questions from charities requiring Independent Examiners and advice regarding IES. Social media is slow.. Bluesky.. 281 followers, reposts are low. Linkedln.. 203 followers. We saw a clear spike in April 2025. Otherwise, ACIE has acquired about one or two followers a month. Page S
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl TrustÈÈs' rèport for the ar èndèd 31 Marth 2026 ItontinuÈdl Independent Examlner Workbook The Independent Examiner Workbook continued to make sales and has become a valuable tool for many Independent Examiners. 44 copies were sold during the year12025.. 451. Publlc benefit The Trustee5 have considered ACIE'5 activitie5 and achievement5 for 202512026 and it5 plans for 202612027. against the Public Beriefit Guidance iSSLJed by the Charity Commission for England and Wale5. They agreed that the public who benefit from ACIE'S work are those who are beneficiaries of the numerous small charities that are helped either direttly by ACIE'S information setvice or where Subscribing Members act as Independent Examiners. The Tru5tee5 are sat15fied that thi5 report on ACIE's activities in 202512026 and its plan5 for the future. demonstrate that. in fulfilling it5 object5. the charitie5 which ACIE a5SlStS should experience on-going or improved efficiency arid confidence in their financial management, allowing them to spend more tirre, money and energy on their own beneficiaries. ACIE is committed to those Subscribing Members who are Voluntary Independent Examiners IVIES). who undertake IES either on a voluntary basis lie without charging any fees or expenses) or have no more than £500 income per year from IE work. ACIE is grateful to the Subscribing Members who make donations to the VIE Support Fund restricted fund, which enables it to offer subsidised membership subscriptions to VIE Subscribing Members. Substribing Membèrs The table below Shows, analysed by membership level, the number of individuals who were ACIE Subscribing Members at 31 March 2026. At 31 March 2026 there were eight Corporate Affiliate151 Memberships, of which six comprised 5 individual Affiliates, one comprised 4 individual Affiliates. and one comprised 3 individual Affiliates. At 31 March 2025. there were five Corporate Affiliate151 Memberships, each of which comprised S individual Affiliate5.' and there w3s one Corporate Affiliate IIDI Mernbership, which comprised nine individual Affiliates. 31 March 2026 Number 56 31 March 2025 Number 64 Fellow Fellow VIE Associate Associate VIE Full Members Affiliate Affiliate VIE Retired Inon-practisingl, incl(Jding run-off Professional Indemnity Insurance Retired Inon-practisingl, no Professional Indemnity Insurance Corporate Affiliate151 Membership Corporate Affiliate1101 Membership 15 17 82 266 iii 87 267 83 37 25 502 478 Key VIE A Voluntary Independent Ex3miner. who undertake5 IE5 either on a voluntary ba515 lie without charging any fee5 or eKpen5e51 or has no more th3n £500 incorne per year from IE work. We congratulate those Affiliate Members whose applications to become Full Members have been successful. Success is dependent on Affiliate Members being able to demonstrate that they have the requisite ability and practical experience in examining andlor preparing charities. financial statements, and results in their being able to use the de5ignatory letters of FCIE IACIE Fellow) or ACIE IACIE A550ciatel to evidence their level of expert15e in the field of IE. Page 6
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl TrustÈÈs' rèport for the ar èndèd 31 Marth 2026 ItontinuÈdl We welcome new Affiliate Members who joined during 202512026. Unfortunately, ACIE said goodbye to some Subscribing Members. including those who have decided to retire from performing IES, and we wish them all the best for the future. The slow decline in the number of Full Members (mainly through retirement) continues to be a matter for concern. Financial review As indicated in Note 2.1 to the financial 5tatement5, the Trustees have decided, principally forthe purposes of simplicitv, that ACIE'5 financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026 are prepared on a receipts and payments basi5 (Note 2.21. In general, this means that.. income is accounted for when received- and expenditure is accounted for when paid. For the year ended 31 March 2025 and all previous financial year5, ACIE'S financial Statements were prepared on an accruals basis (Note 2.31. In general, this meant that.. income was recognised once ACIE had entitlement to the income, it was probable that the income would be received and the amount of income receivable could be measured reliably,. and expenditure was recognised as soon as a legal or constructive obligation had arisen that committed ACIE to transfer economit benefit Iusually in the form of moneyl to a third party in settlement, and the amount of the obligation could be meastjred or estimated reliablv. In both the financial statements and the amounts shown below in this section. the comparative figures Iwhich relate to the year ended 31 March 20251 have been restated on a receipts and payments basis. ACIE'S receipts during 202512026 totalled £82,4081202412025.. £71,616). Payments during the year totalled £74,231 1202412025.. £62,243), which resulted in a net increase in funds of £8,1771202412025.. £9,373). ACIE'S primary source of receipts is membership subscriptions. which showed a negligible increase1£36,741 compared to £36,730 in 2024120251. Fees for attending training courses and webinars more than doubled1£28.(X)4 compared to £13,235 in 2024120251. At 31 March 2026, ACIE total funds Iheld in bank balances) comprised unrestricted funds of £72,00512025.. £63,828). During 202512026. the VIE Support Fund benefited from donatitsns lincluding Gift Aid tax. and interestthereonl totalling £7751202412025.. £7241, all of which was transferred to the General Fund at the end of the year. Reserves pollcy The Tru5tee5' reserves policy is to maintain 3 minimum of Six month5, day-to-day running cost5- at 31 March 2026 about E34,00012025.. £28,0001- to ensure SLJfficient working capital 15 available to meet expetted payments in the event of a fall in receipts. At 31 March 2026, the balance on the General Fund was £53,04212025.. £44,579) lall held in liquid funds), which means that there were excess free reseNes at that date of £19,04212025.. £16,579). Challènges for 202612027 Address the main challenges.. the continuing decline in the numbers of Full Members,. the retirement of some of the current trainers, with no obvious replacements,. the availability of training on charity accounting and related issues being provided by other organisations. including the ICAEW and the Charity Finarice Group,. and the slow response to some application5 for Full Membership, beeèuse the number of people on ACIE's Membership Committee has decreased, as has their availabilitv. Page 7
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl TrustÈÈs' rèport for the ar èndèd 31 Marth 2026 ItontinuÈdl Continue to do what we do well.. being mindful of changes affecting the third sector and how to continue providing Subscribing Members with the information, support and advice they need. including low-cost professitsnal iridemnity insurarice.. striving to proactively promote the importance of IE to charities. tru5tee5 and trea5urers.' responding to the training needs of Subscribing Members and other5 involved or interested in IE- working in partnership with other organisation5 to promote best practice in IE- and engaging Trustees to be committed and active members of ACIE'S Board. Areas for improvement.. increasing the numbers of people becomin& and remaining as, Subscribing Members under-represented demographics,. adding value to Subscribing Membership package5 and raising awarenes5 of the various benefits on offer. providing Subscribing Members with acce55 to training and tools to help with their examinations in all parts of the UK- encouraging more Affiliate Members to apply for Full Membership,. reflecting on ACIE'S needs and the roles and responsibilities of ACIE Trustees and the ACIE staff and others who provide office and administrative support., continuing to encourage Full Member5 to maintain their CPO and to complete their CPD declaration5-, and expandirig regional engagement. in particular, the RSsk management The Trustee5 continued to 355ess and address the risks fated by ACIE. A major risk 1% having only one part-tirne employee and one part-tirne, self-employed finance administrator., and everything else that needs doing is done by a small number of Trustees and a small number of volunteers on the Membership Committee. Accountlng and reportlng responslbllltleg The Tru5tee5 are responsible for.. keeping accounting records which.. are sufficient to show and explain ACIE'S transactions, and disclose at any time ACIE'S financial position at that time- and enable them (the Trusteesl to ensure that any financial statements Comply with the law and regulations that apply to a charity that Is registered both in England and Wale5 and Scotland,. and preparing, for each financial year, a Trustees, annual report and financial statements that comply with the law and regulations that apply to a charity that is registered both in England and Wales and Scotland safeguarding ACIE'S assets and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approval This r port was approved by the Trustees on 2 September 2026 and signed on their behalf by.. Mark Robert Heaton Trustee Page 8
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl Indèpendent Examiner's rÈport to the Trusteès of Assotiation of Charity Indèpendent Examinéfs for thÈ year ended 31 March 2026 I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Association of Charity Independent Examiners I'the charity'l for the year ended 31 March 2026, which are set out on pages 10 to 17. This report is made solely to the charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 I'the 2011 Act'l and section Lwllllcl of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotlandl Act 20051'the 2005 Act'l. My examination has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters l am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's Trustees as a body, for my examination, for this report, or for the opinion5 1 have formed. Responslbllltles and basls of report A5 the Trustees of the charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the 2011 Art, the 2005 Act and the Charities Account5 Iscotlandl Regulations 2(M)6 las amended) I'the 2006 Regulations'l. You are satisfied that the charity is not required by charity law to be audited and have chosen instead to have an independent examination. I report in respect of my ex3mination of the charity's financial Statements under section 145 of the 2011 Act and Section 441lllcl of the 2005 Act. In carrying out my examination, I have followed.. all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 1451Sllbl of the 2011 Act,. and the requirements of Regulation 11 of the 2006 Regulations. Independent Examlnerfs 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 that in any material respect.. accounting record5 were not kept in respect of the charity 85 required by section 130 of the 2011 Act, section 441lllal of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Regulations,. or the financial statements do not accord with those records,. or the fin3ncial statement5 do not complywith the accounting requirements of Regulation 9 of the 2006 Regulations. 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 financial statements to be reached. Signed.. Dated.. 0410912026 Anita C Mason BA (Honsl BFP FCA Mitchell Charlesworth Suites C, D. E & F, 14th Floor The Plaza Old Hall Street Liverpool L3 9QJ Page 9
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl Statement of Retéipts and Payments for thè yèar endÈd 31 Marth 2026 Unrestrittèd Funds 2026 Restritted funds 2026 Total funds 2026 Total funds 2025 restated (Note 2.11 Note Receipts Donations and le8acie5 Charitable activities Bank and other interest 773 773 79.934 1.701 724 69,135 1,757 79.934 1,699 Total recelpts 81.633 775 82.408 71.616 Payments for tharitable activitiès.. Direct costs Support costs 32.960 41.271 32.960 41.271 23.796 38.447 Total payments 74.231 74.231 62,243 Net recelpts In year 7.402 775 .177 9.373 Tran5fer5 between funds 12 775 17751 Net movement in fund5 in year 8,177 8.177 9,373 The note5 on pages 12 to 17 forrn an integral part of these financial 5taternent5. Page 10
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl Statement of Balantès (Assèts and LiabilitiÈsl at 31 Marth 2026 Total funds 2026 Total funds 2025 As Restated (Note 2.11 Note Funds reconciliation Opening bank balances Net movement in funds in year Closing bank balances 63,828 8,177 72,005 54,455 9,373 63,828 The funds of the charltv: Restricted fund VIE Support Fund 12 Unrestricted funds.. Desigriated Fund- Development Fund General Fund Total unrestricted funds 12 12 12 18.963 53,042 72.005 19,249 44,579 63,828 ASSETS Bank balances Bank Instant Access Account Bank Current Account5 70.544 1.461 72.005 62.324 1,504 63,828 Other assets (Restricted fund- VIE Support Fund) Debtors- Gift Aid tax recoverable 126 121 Liabilities Iunrestrirted General Fund) Creditors.. Amounts falling due within one year li 11.622 10,385 The notes on pages 12 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 2 September 2026 and signed on their behalf by.. Mark Robert Heaton Trustee Page 11
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl Notes to thè finantial statemènts for the yÈar ended 31 Marth 2026 General information Between 6 December 2010 (the date of incorporation) and 14 June 2024, Association of Charity Independent Examiners I'ACIE") wa5 a charitable company (registered iri England and Wales. company number.. 074611341, governed by its Articles of Association, dated 6 December 2010. On 14 June 2024, the Charity Commission for England and Wales advised that= ACIE'S application to convert from a charitable company to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation ICIOI had been succe55ful- and the governing document submitted with ACIE'S application for the CIO conversion Inamely, it5 Foundation CIO Constitution, dated 15 September 20231 wa5 now its governing document. ACIE is registered as a charity in England and Wales (registered number.. 11396091 and Scotland (registered number.. 5C0390661. ACIE 15 a public benefit entity. ACIE'S registered address is 1st Floor, Block C, The Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley BBII IJG. Accountlng pollcles Change of basis of preparation of financial 5tatementS The Trustees have decided. principally for the purposes of simplicity, that ACIE'S financial statements for the vear ended 31 March 2026 are prepared on a receipts and payments basis (Note 2.21. For the year ended 31 March 2025 and all previous financial years. ACIE'S financial statements were prepared on an accruals basis INote 2.31. In these financial statements. the comparative figures Iwhich relate to the year ended 31 March 20251 have been restated on a receipts and payments basis. 8a515 of preparation of financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026 For the year ended 31 March 2026, ACIE- as a charity having income for the year below £250,000- has prepared its financial statements on a receipts and payments basis, as permitted bv.. section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 las amended) Iwhich applies to charities registered in England and Wale51- and regulation 9 of The Charities Accounts (Scotlandl Regulations 2006 la5 arnendedl Iwhich applies to charities registered in Scotlandl. Income is accounted for when received. and expenditure is accounted for when paid. 8a515 of preparation of financial statement5 for the year ended 31 March 2025 For the year ended 31 March 2025, ACIE'S financial statements were prepared on an accruals basis, and on a going concern basis. in accordance with.. 'Ateounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021,, published in October 20191"the Charities SORP ).' The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, published in january 2022 I'FRS 102,1, to the extent that it applies to small entities and public benefit entities; Regulation 8 (Statement of account - Fully accrued accountsl of The Charities Accounts (Scotlandl Regulations 2006 Iwhich applie5 to charities registered in Scotlandl., UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice,. and the historical cost convention. Page 12
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl Notes to thè finantial statemènts for the yÈar ended 31 Marth 2026 Itontinuèdl Income was recognised once ACIE had entitlement to the income, it was probable that the income would be received and the amount of income receivable could be measured reliablv. Expenditure wa5 recogni5ed a5 500n as a legal or constructive obligation had arisen that committed ACIE to transfer economic benefit Iusually in the form of money) to a third party in settlement, and the amount of the obligation could be measured or estimated reliablv. Going concern The Trustees asse55 whether the use of going concern is appropriate ie whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of ACIE to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this a55e55ment in respect of at least one year from the date they approve the financial statements, and have concluded that ACIE has adequate resources and reserves to enable it to contin(Je in operational existence for the foreseeable future,. there are no material uncertainties about ACIE'S ability to continue as a going concern.. and it remains appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these financial statements 2.5 Currency The financial statements are presented in UK sterling. which is ACIE'S functional currency. and rounded to the nearest pound. Fund accounting Any donation or grant received by ACIE that the donor requires to be used for a specified purpose is treated as 're5tricted' income and credited to the appropriate 'restricted fund,. Any costs incurred in raising or administering such funds are charged against the relevant restricted fund. All other donations and grants received by ACIE are treated as'unrestricted, income and credited to the General Fund. which is an 'unrestricted fund,. Designated funds are unrestricted funds that the Trustees have Set aside for particular purposes. Receipts- Donation5 and legacies Restricted fund Restricted fund - VIE Support - VIE Support Fund Fund 2026 2025 As restated (Note 2.11 Donations to VIE Support Fund Gift Aid claimed on donations to VIE Support Fund 652 121 773 608 116 724 Page 13
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl Notes to thè finantial statemènts for the yÈar ended 31 Marth 2026 Itontinuèdl Receipts- Charitable artivities Unrestrlcted Fund- General Fund 2026 Unrestricted Fund General Fund 2025 As restated (Note 2.11 Membership subscriptions Professional indemnity insurance fees from subscribin8 members Fees- Training courses and webinars Fee5- Conferences Sale5 of 'lndependent Examiner Workbook for Mernbers, 36,741 9,196 28.004 3,850 2,143 79,934 36,730 9,227 13,235 7.704 2.239 69,135 Payments- Charitablè activitiÈs- Dirètt tosts Unrestricted Fund- General Fund 2026 Unrestricted Fund General Fund 2025 As restated (Note 2.11 Profe55ion31 indemnity insurance for rnember5 ACIE training course5 and webinar5 Venues and facilitators Presenter's fee- Mark Heaton (Trustee) (Note 91 Other presenters- Fees Other presenters- Travel and subsistence expenses ACIE conferences Venues, facilitators and printing Speakers- Fees Speakers- Travel and subsistence expenses Trustees, expenses- Travel and subsistence (Note 91 External conferences Trustees- Travel and subsistence expenses (Note 91 Stripe creditldebit card proce55ing fees Newsletter design and production Scotland branch meetings Room hire, food and drink 8,572 8,755 4,020 700 14,896 995 253 6,731 673 150 6.421 645 313 589 426 991 413 166 32.960 847 200 23,796 Page 14
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl Notes to thè finantial statemènts for the yÈar ended 31 Marth 2026 Itontinuèdl Payments- Charitable activities- Support costs Unrestrlcted Funds 2026 Unrestricted Fund5 2025 As restated (Note 2.11 Staff costs INote 71 Governance costs (Note 81 Office and administrative support Advertising. marketing and sponsorship by ACIE Web51te. 50ftware and email Ernployee- Travel and 5ub515tence Technical Adviser Insurance Subscriptions Payroll service INote 101 Other 18,090 4,222 6,584 3.161 3,088 2,813 1,332 795 620 360 18,359 4,925 4,911 1,673 2.960 2.574 I,ioo 773 534 340 il 206 41.271 298 38,447 The payments for'support costs - Website, 50ftware and ernail, for the year ended 31 March 2026 include £286 12025.. £2331 attributable to the Designated Development Fund. All other expenditure on support costs was attributable to the General Fund in both years. PaymÈnts- Charitablè artivitiÈs- Support costs- Staff tosts For both years, the amount shown for expenditure on staff costs in Note 6 constitutes the gross salary of ACIE'S one part-time employee, who is primarily involved in managing development. In accordance with HMRC'S rules that apply to eligible employers. ACIE las a charity) claimed Employment Allowance, which reduced the amount payable for Class l Employer's National Insurance contributions to £nil for both years. No pension contributions were payable for either year. Payments- Charitable actlvlties- Support costs. Governance costs Unrestrirted Fund- General Fund 2026 Unrestricted Fund General Fund 2025 As restated (Note 2.11 Independent Examiner's fee Travel and subsistence- Trustees INote 91 Travel and subsistence- Others Trustee meetings- Roorn hire Compliance charges (Note 101 1,997 971 532 615 107 4,222 1,890 1.370 794 746 125 4,925 Page 15
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl Notes to thè finantial statemènts for the yÈar ended 31 Marth 2026 Itontinuèdl Trustees, remuneratlon and expenses The Trustees are ACIE'S key management. During the year ended 31 March 2026, a fee of £700 was paid to Mark Heaton (Trusteel for preparing and presenting one webinar (Note 5= Payments - Charitable activities - Direct costs). No other Trustees, and no persons connected with Trustees. received any remuneration or other benefits during either year. During the year ended 31 March 2026, a total of £31312025.. £nill wa5 reirnbur5ed to, or paid on behalf of, one Trustee for travel and sub51Stence expenses incurred in fulfilling their Trustee duties at an ACIE conference INote 5 Payments- Charitable artivities- Direct costs). During the year ended 31 March 2026. 3 total of £42612025.. £nill wa5 reirnbur5ed to. or paid on behalf of, one Trustee for travel and subsistence expenses incurred in fulfilling their Trustee dutie5 at an external conference (Note 5.. Payments- Charitable activities- Direct costs). Ouring the year ended 31 March 2026, a total of £97112025.. £1.3701 was reimbursed to. or paid on behalf of, two Trustees12025.. five Trusteesl for travel and subsistence expenses incurred in fulfilling their Trustee duties at Trustee and other meetings INote 8- Payments- Charitable activities Support cost5- Governance £ost51. All individuals who were Trustees for all or part of the two years paid the same amounts as other subscribing members for their membership subscriptions. professional indemnity insurance. conference fees. course and webinar fees. and the Independent Examiner Workbook for Member5. io Related party transartion5 Mark Robert Heaton IACIE Trustee from 22 October 20191 is a director of the accountancy practice, KM Business Solutions Limited. During the year ended 31 March 2026, fees totalling £420 were paid by ACIE to KM Busine55 Solutions Limited, for payroll service1£3601 and compliance charges1£601. For the year ended 31 March 2025, fees totalling £460 were paid by ACIE to KM Business Solutions Limited. for payroll 5ervice1£3401 and compliance charge51£1201. Other than those reported in Note 9 and in this Note, there were no related party transactions in either year that require disclosure. li Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 2026 2025 Fees received in advance- ACIE training courses and webinars Fees received in èdvante - ACIE conferences Accruals Independent Examiner'5 fee Other creditors - Direct costs Other creditors Support costs ACIE training courses and webinars- Refunds payable Membership subscription5- Refunds payable 8.074 200 2,160 754 434 2,160 4.754 1,986 700 425 320 40 11,622 10,385 Page 16
Association of Charity Independent Examiners IA Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlonl Notes to thè finantial statemènts for the yÈar ended 31 Marth 2026 Itontinuèdl 12 Statement of funds Year ended 31 March 2026 Balance at beginnin8 of year Balance at end of year Transfers inlout Income Expenditure Unrèstrirted funds Designated fund - Development F(Jnd General Fund Total unrestrirted funds 19,249 44,579 63,828 12861 173,9451 174,2311 18,963 53,042 72,005 81,633 81,633 775 775 Restr5cted funds VIE Support Fund 775 17751 Total funds 63,828 82,408 174.2311 72.005 Year ended 31 March 2025 IAS restated) (Note 2.11 Balance at beginning of year Balance at end of year Transfers inlout Receipts Payments Unrestrlcted funds Designated fund - Development Fund General Fund Total unrestricted fund5 19.482 34.973 54,455 12331 162,0101 162,2431 19,249 44,579 63,828 70,890 70,890 726 726 Re5trirted funds VIE Support Fund 726 17261 Total funds 54,455 71,616 162,2431 63,828 Desi8nated fund - Development Fund The Development Fund is designated to be used to pay forthe development and training of Subscribing Members. On 15 September 2023. the Trustees resolved to transfer an additional £15.000 from the General Fund to the Developfflent Fund. Restricted fund - VIE Support Fund The VIE Support Fund restricted fund is funded by donations from members, and used to subsidise those members who are Voluntary Independent Examiners I"VIEs"l and pay their membership subscriptions at a lower level than other subscribing members. During the year ended 31 March 2026, donations totalling £65212025.. £6081 were received for the VIE Support Fund. and Gift Aid tax totalling £123 (including interestl12025.. £1181 was recovered from HMRC. The balance of £77512025.. £7261 w35 transferred from the VIE Support Fund to the General Fund. Page 17