Roglstered numbar: 08497016
Charity number: 1152067
ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
IA Company Ilmited by guarnntse)
TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022

ASTON STVDENTS, UNION
(A company Ilmlted by guardnts8}
CONTENTS
P￿e
Ref8rnnGg ond admintstrntive detalls ofthe Union, its Trustegs and adviseTS
Trustoes. report
Independent audltorfs report on the financial stat8m8nts
ststemant of financlal actlvltles
2-10
15
Balance sheet
16-17
statam8nt of cash flow5
18
Nots$ to tho flnanclal statsmfrnts
19-38

ASTON STUDE1￿S. UNION
A company Ilmited ty guarantee)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE UNION. ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Trustses
K Baker
S Hansen
M Pritehard (resigned 21 Junè 20221
B Purewal (resigned 30 Juno 2022}
A Schwarz
A Rana lappoinled 1 Juty 20221
K Wong lappointaj 1 July 20221
S Yardley Patd (resigned 21 June 2(Y221
C Roberts
A Mazhar {resigned 30 June 2022)
P Dawson Iresigned 30 June 2022)
Ysingh Iwigned 30 June 2022)
A Mazhar {apwnted 1 Juty 2022)
S Azhar {appointed 1 Juty 20221
Company rgglstergd
number
08497016
Charity rngistorèd
number
1152C67
Roglst8rod offlco
8 Coleshill Street
Bimiingham
B4 7BX
Chièf Exocutivè Officèr Max McL¢JJghlln
Independent auditor
Crowe U.K. LLP
Black County House
Rounds Green Road
Oldbury
West Midknds
B69 2E
Bankers
National Weslminster Bank PLC
Birmingham
West MidL3fKIs
83 2PP
Page 1

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
(A company Ilmlted by guarnntep)
TRUSTEES. REpoirr
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
The Trustees present their annual reFrf)rt tC¥Jether wryth the audited financial statements of the Union for the 1
August 2021 to 31 July 2022. The Anftual report serves thé purposes of both a Trustees, rèport and a director8,
port under comp8ny I￿, The Trustees confimi that the Annual report and financial statements of the
charitable company compty the current statutory wuirements, the require￿￿nts of the charitable cornpanls
governing d￿Ument and the prowsions of the Staternent OF Recomfftended pr￿ti￿ ISORP} applicable to
charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financral Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and
Republi¢ of Irèland IFRS1021 lefferANe 1 January 2019).
Since the Union qualifies as small under se¢tion 382 of the Comp8nie8 Act 2006, the Slrat&Jic report ￿Uired of
medium and large companies under the c￿pan￿ Acl 2C(fj (Strategic Report and Dirxtors, Report)
Regulat￿n$ 2013 has been omtLt8d.
Structurn. governance and management
a. Constitutlon
The company is registered a5 a charitable ¢ompany limited by guaranlee and is govemed by rts Articles of
Assc¢iation dated 19 April 2013. Trade commenced on 1 August 2013 with the transf8r of trade and assets from
Aston Students, Guild (Charity no 1144169).
Th8 company is con8t(tuted under a men￿[andum of Assc¢iation dated 19 April 2013 and is a registered tharty
number 1152067.
The princip81 objecl of the company is to..
Provide advancement of education of students at AS1￿ Univ8rsty forth8 public b8nefit by..
PronTh)ting th& interests and welfare of students at Aston UnNersty during their course of study and
reprèsenting, supportiro and admsing students.
Being the recognised representstNe channel between students and Aston Universty.
Providing s￿la1. cU￿ural. spcrting and recreational axivtbes. forums. di8cussion8, debate for the personal
development of r(s slud8nts.
b. Methods of appointmènt or eloctlon of Tntstees
The management of the company is lh& responsibilty of the Trustees who are elected ar￿ co-opted under the
lemis of the Articles of Ass(￿lat￿)n. The four fu114ime Executive Officer posts of President, Vice Fresident
Education, Vice Pre*ent Student Activtkn'es and Vice President welfa￿ and Community are full t•me posts th8t
make up the Executivo ccxmmittee and are remunerated as authorTsed by the Education Act. The post holders
annot exceed more than two years in office.
The Trustee Board is further made up of a number of StLthnL Extemal and Alumni Trustees to the Union.
External and Alumni Trustee are appointed for 8 tem of four y8ars and can stand for re-818Ction for a maximum
of tsvo terms. Student Trustees are apky)inted for up to years. New appointsnenls are made by an
appointsnenl committee. Training and inducb.on is pffj￿ded when requir￿. For trje avoidance of doubl the four
Full Time Executive Office(s 8Ct as Charity trustees.
Page 2

ASTON STUDENTS. UNIOM
(A company Ilmlted by guarantso}
TRUSTEES, REPORT ICONTINUEDI
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Structure• govemance and management Icontinued
c. Organlsatlonal structure and decision￿rnaking policies
Aston Students Union Structu￿ supports and facilitates sludenl-led deci5i9n making and leadership. The
majority of students who engage in the Union are volunteers, running and supporting various ev8nts and
opportunities for the wder publ￿ benefft of the student membetship at Aston University. Thesè volunteers are
supportad by a number of lull time staff. which are a(xounlabk to the Unh)n's senK)r staff member ICEOI for the
perfornants of their duties.
The Board of Trustees is ultimalety responsible fr)r the eff￿tIVe governan￿ Imanagem8nt and admini51ration) of
the organisalion. with key responsibilities delegated to either, elected offi￿rS, key staff mgmbers or via an
effective ¢ommittee structure. The Un￿n prides itself on being d￿CeratiC in nature and its abilty to 8UPPOrt and
encourage studen14eadership.
d. Pollcl8s adopted for the Inductlon and tralning of Trustgos
During their inductK)n the Executive offi￿[3 received trustee tsaining from an extemal consultant INith Smith
Consultancy). training and support from the NUS, the UnNersty and the Students, Unitsn's own staff team.
During their temi of tsff￿ they havè access lo on-going training ar￿ 8UFWrt as required including an extgrn8lly
fa￿lItated personal development programme and 36(kdegree carried out by the organi5ation Koreo. The
training is curated lo ensure Officers have a thorough knowledge of both charity law and th8ir specific remit and
administrdlive re8ponsibilitses.
e. Pay policy for kay management personnel
The Trustee Lx)atd ￿VEW pay across the organIsa￿ on an annual basis. The factors to be taken into
c￿SIderatIon include the University agreed pay scales and infi81ionary increases, individual performance,
contractU81 obligations and lh& Union s ffnancial positi.on a5 of 1st of August each year. Salary increases afft at
the discret￿ of the Trustee Board a￿1 are not a guaranteed outconR of the annual review prO￿s.
l. Trustegs. Indemnltlos
In a￿L￿rdanCe with nom￿1 pracb'ces the Students. Uni)n has purchased insurance to protect governors and
officers from claims arising from rnegl￿ent acts. errors or (Knissions occurring whilst on Student Unwjn business.
The insuranc8 policy provides cover up to £2,000.OLK) and the cost for the year ended 31 2022 was £1,665.
g. Risk manag&m•nt
The Trustees hav8 assessed the major risks to which the rAThpany is e4Josed, in particular those related lo the
operations and finances of the corr¢)any. arKI are satisfied that systems and prLwlures are in Pla￿ lo mitigate
exposure Its the major risks.
Page 3

ASTON STUDE1fft8' UNION
IA company Ilmlted by guarantee)
TRUSTEES. REPORT {coKfiNUEDI
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Objectlves and actlvlties
a. The Unlon's strateglc plan
During the year the org8nis*ion embarked ¢)n a new Strateg￿ pknrking process. The prewu8 plan had reached
its natural end, the SU had moved inio a buikling and the Board were keen the new stmlegic direction
reflects the needs and wants of the student Mern￿r p)st pandemic. The plan was infomi8d by our Annual SU
Sutvey that was completed by 1054 students, various online facilitated sessions with students. officers and staff,
desk-based research and a $8ri8s of Board meetings that focused solely on the devéloFxment and inception of
the plan. In setting the objeciives and pLqnning aCtNIt￿9, the Trustees have ￿51d9red the Charity
CommissKJn'$ ag￿￿1 guidan￿ on public b&nefrt.
The TnJsta8s have concluded that as a registe￿d ch8rtty and Students, UTh￿n its work directty benefits and
supports 15.000 students registered to study at Aston UnNersity. Tr Trustees ensura that outcomes and
outputs are of direct benefrt lo current members.
Thi8 ne•V plan was in place by the end of the year.
VISION
To be an SU for everyone
Everyone shou￿ know the SU E for them and can makg a posibve difference lo their time al Aston
MISSION
A8 we transition back into a way of lrfe, we want yvu tt> have Ihe student experien￿ you deserve
VALUES
Enhancing student leadetship and potential to cr8ale change.
Equality 1$ core lo our seivices and Opportunit￿S, making them divetse and inclusNe for all
Empow8ring students, votces as the heart of eVe￿ing we do
SupportirwJ students throughout theirAston joumeJ3
b. Strateglc objectives
Student E
ement
Delivering èxceptional opportunitiès and serv￿$ for student engagement & support
Academic Interests
Representing all asp￿ts of students. academ￿ interests
Student Communities
Growing. creating, and developing studerrt ￿lMun￿e$
Ambitious Futures
Equipping students for their ambilious )lJtures
Am
lified Aston Life
Developing sustainable commerual servtss to amplfy your Aston life
Page 4

ASTON STUDENTS. UN1014
IA company Ilmit8d by guarantee
TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED}
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Objectlves and actlvltlos {contlnuodl
c. Enabllng obJ8ctlveg
le
Our people, our finances, our spxe, and our governance wll be managed sustainabty and effectwely to allow
everyone lo make a positive impact
Communications and D-
Our communication will be clear. and our digital Sp￿ will be a kay part of our SeN1￿ delivery
Partnershi
S 8nd Collaboratio
The Union is stronger and achieves mor8 for sI￿dentS when wJrking with others
AGhlavgm•nts and perforrnancg
a. ReviEW of actlvltles
At the start of the year the Board had to agree a deficrt budget. as our Block Grdnt had not been agreed. Various
conversations were taking place betsveen the students, union and Universty and in November the University
announced it W8s lo award the students. unK)n with a lump sum of £5CQ,000 in recognitb)n of the last two years
of hard work during the pandernic and based on the business pLgns submitt41.. they $ugge$ted the Organi￿110n
use this fvnding as a reboot lo r8engineer how we do things.
With the injecti¢Jn of fUr￿Ing and an infftase in the b1(￿k grant the organisatwjn has developed nèws roles in HR
& Govemance, FinanrA, Mark&ting, Advice, W￿l￿n9, IntematKJnal Student Support. Many of these roles
started towards thè end of the year and we are hopeful they make a positive IMp￿t on the sludenl experience.
Indeed wi(h these roles funded via the injection of funding, the Sus abilty lo monitor and evaluate their
effectiveness over the next tsvo years is of param(iunt Nnportanee. as in 2024-2025 we will require a further
injection of funding to maintain the roles and tev8L8 of Se￿￿ that studenis will come lo expecL
Tha roles that were developed within wellbeing arKI intemational support demnslrales an acute strategic
awareness by the Trustee Boaré of urKoming priorrbes, as for the followng year 12D22-2023) the universty
recorded its highest ever intake of intemational students and student wellbeing has rightly escaladed
important on university campuses and may be i￿ude as a Met￿ in the future National Slud8nl Survey.
We recrui(ed the new HR. G0veMan￿ and Admin CorKdinator to support the grovAh of the organisalion an
improve the eftiency of the HR processes and pr¢xedure8. Befo￿ this role many HR functions (such a5
recruitmenll were cascaded to the managers. but now this prrLess can centralised. Not only should this drive
consistency and quality, bul it creates extfB Capauly ¥￿h1n departmental managers remit. This was
parti¢ularfy important during the earfy stsges of the year ￿￿th a high numbèrs of recruilment ￿mPaign$ acros5 all
departments.
Tha Green enjoyed a relativety stable year in 2022-2023. Foll0Y￿ng two years of turmil du6 to the pandemic and
th9 almost constant 'will they, wont they sh¢)v up. for prospective residents. This year PToved to be r8lalively
steady, not only that but the staff team was cOns￿ldated wrth a new Accommodation Manager and Deputy
Manager. Most of the rcr)ms on offer have benefitted from decorative irllprovements over the last years and
the next stago in The Green evoluticsn will be to mc¥Jémise hchv the prgperties are managed, although nol yet
installed the Staff team are planning to install 8 new online prop&ty management system for the coming year.
Moreover the increase in intemational students: has meant the medium to long tefm wability of The Green is
secured, as the intemaknonal students want lo seek the accommodation that offer5 them the best value for
m(￿eY. The telative secure rental pi¢Xure has allcwed communty initiatNes lo become part of The Green
offer for students, with pumping ¢aMng and tree planlirKJ being such events designed and organised to bring
Page S

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
IA company limlted by guarantee)
TRUSTEES. REPORT ICONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
A¢higvoments and perforniance (contlnuedl
pewle together.
student Athee continues to deliver for students on an IrKI￿K1uaI *1 Ihts year. often supporting sludenl$ who
are al Ihair lowest ebb. During the year we eroaged just shy of 700 such students. A significant dEffer8nce this
year was th8 University r￿UlationS n￿￿n9 back to their pre-comd stsn¢e on issue such as exams and mitigating
circumstances. Some students, having not had a tradit￿nal oxam for several years find the swtch challenging
arKI as such a disproportionate amount of ts'me ￿￿$ tsking up by our advisors SUPPOrt th9S8 Stvdenls, many
faced with lack of progression fr￿n one year to the next or expUl8￿n from th8 University.
This year we worked hard at changing the branding of stud8nl voice, we wanted to make Student VC￿e a core
part of the wder student experien￿. being a student rep shoukj be seen as a prNi1￿e and representing your
course peers to the University should be gNen the 8eriousne5s which it deserves. It was particularly important
this year as blended leaming la¢*emic delivery taking place on campus and online} was an integral part of the
academic experience. The Union W0￿ed parknujlarty hard at se¢uring a strong IurnoLrt for the Speak Week
campaign and a￿ayS m8ée sure that students reps attended arKI vi8w Union Senate as a key veh*le for raising
their v0￿e to students lo the Universty's seftior kadership team. The strategy paid diwdends over th& y8ar wilh
ex￿lIent attendance at m88tings, 1 DOS cA)mpleting the Speak Week survey and ultimately an improved National
Student Survey 2022 Score, increasing by 4% to 5TrA and talknng the SU a￿ve the national bènchmatk for
students for th8 first tim8 Since lh& pandern￿.
Th8 Students, Union were ab￿ to reset its commercial operabons in 2021-2022. Al the end of the prevFou8 year
new managers were recruited with significant experience in th8 student hospitality sector and the SU was
confident of a strong year. To supwjrt the leam the operations. start-up the Union decided on an inveslm8nl
plan for the commercÈal p(thlio,' rather than ewting a quick tumaround of fortune and instantsneous proffts
the mature decision was to ￿COgnIse rt can tske years to see genuino profil8 from the hospitality sector and the
board agreed to S81 aside up lo £12D,000 over 8 three-y8ar petit>J to subsKli5e the services. Hence ralhgr than
taiking about losses from day one, the narratNe was atx)ut h(hv we can build on what we have learned. Tem
one went well. with a new mènu in both The Lounge and Good pla￿ and a focus on branded goods in the retail
shop with sales of X,Y 2nd Z respeL*fulty. Encouraging students lo use the building was nel a ba￿leT to success,
but did lead lo one of the biggest chaI￿nges.. should alkxv students use of all tha commercial sp￿e8 to
consum8 food and drink they had bought ￿8￿[e? In￿allY we decided we would not, and asked students to
'move on, but f( because clear very quickly thrs was the wrong (JecisKJn and a few days later we allowed all
students to use the whole build1r￿ as they wished. ccKnmercialW w8$ the wrong decision. il me8nt tables that
should have been serving our own fw(l and drink We￿ ￿n9 used lo eat 8 local takeaway or a supemarket
meal deal. It was a tough decision financKally. bul in temis of the student exp￿TrenCe. il was absolutely th@ best
one, we had spent Ihe summor telling students to come and use the SU building, it was only right they gol to use
it as they saw fft. Temi Iwo did not fare as well, and the Omicron outbreak of Covid over the winter break look
the mL¥nentum OUL of the sales and the w86kty r￿Ur8S rt8ver malch8J those of the first lemi. The figures were
LoLrnge.' X Good pl￿.. Y Retail". Z. There w8re plans and expectations that 18rn1 three would be fruiiful, as the
SU COU￿ become place to celebrate the end of exams but the Unwersity decision to keep all exams online for
the summw meonL very fw students were on ￿MpuS after the Easter break.
Commercial revenues were h(rwever supplemented by extemal hire and in particular the usè of the students,
union building by the Univefsty for Graduations. Previously the UnNersity have hired a MarqL￿e lo h051 students
whilst on campus. For many tears we have suggested the use of the SU buih#ing for this year our offer was
accepted. We fdt it made for a better experience and also general￿￿ a degree of income dunng tha mora
traditional quieter months. Other notablè external use of the building including hosting the inaugural Bimiingham
Race Imp3￿ Summit aThJ supporting the citys c0mmorwea￿h Games effort. by allowing the pOl￿e use of some
of th8 space.
Pago6

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
IA Gompany limited by guaranlo9
TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
AGhigvemonts and ￿rfornIance {¢ontlnuedl
Our officers, campaigns for the years were far reaching and ground-breaking. We had heart felt examples of
living with MS and its Ireaknent cycle. we re￿ted ￿)$￿VelY to the th￿at of studènt spiking in the city, luming
around a c8mpawJn, information, and advi￿ in a few hours at the end of the year we rdn an excilrTrg 'What's
Next?. employ8bilty campaign. Mental Heatth conb.nued to be a major cause of concerns for our rnemborship,
and we tackled this at various levels,, at the start of the years we conducted our largest ever weware survey of
Aston students, this provides a fo￿inatIng in$ight into the wellbeing of our rnembers and wa$ used to lèverage
further support and funds from the Unwersty. The pr8sident Welfare ran an exCel￿nI offic8r18d pampaign
in May. help to get the Student body talking abcmjt their mentsl heaKh and by the end of the year we had a
recruited a new Wellbeing Coordinator to support the work of the VP Wdfare and create leg¥ the welling
being and student support inf(i8tives.
Clubs and Soci81ies continued to be a key part of the student experience, folk)wing two very disrupted years all
the student-led groups were lookirvJ forwa￿ lo getting baok to nomial. Sports teams were excited to be back
playing ¢ompelitive sport in the Wednesday aftemc*)n BUCS leagues. In total we had 4451 members of clubs
and sociati8s Tha achievemerts of these amazing groups and volunteers were celebrated at the end of year SU
Awards. 11 had been three year5 snce the L451 in-person celebration event. Over 15 awards were gniing out to
Clubs and Societies and 1QDs of individual awards to stLKlent volunteers. for their efforts ovor the year.
The election process fell like we w8re b￿k to prwandemic days, wpth many candKlates and in person I fa￿ to
fa￿ canvassing allowed since 2020 - and this had a posf(Ne impact on the number of students voting,. the final
election lumoul was 17%, an increase from 12% the year èefore. It was genuinely great to see students around
the building and campus canvassing for votes and an iwerson elections announcement event.
Marketing continued to play a cntical TO￿ wrthirs the organisation. helping to both deliver online experience and
promote the work and campaigns of cAhers. B&k*nd functb)nalty improvements was made lo the website and,
as expected video and Instagram continued to be a key driver of dwJital engagement. Inslagram Reels were
suc￿sS￿J1 last year wih a combined wewership of 393,620 for Ihe year, reaching students and beyond, an
average of 4,300 per red.
With the pandemic over find student housing once again b8cause a key theme for many of student m8mb&rs.
Aston Student Homes (ASH} is own&1 and manag&J by Aston Stud￿t5. Union and is endorsed by Aston
Unive￿[￿. ASH is the official StrJdents' UnK)n accommojalion support service set up for the rnulual benefit of
private landlordslagents and Aston students. The service had a particularty succgssful year, with f￿-tO-faCe
housing fairs being organi¥ed again and many housing provmjers wanting to be part of the paid advertisiro
service - the serwce enjoy￿ ils first yearwhere rt contributed lo the organisatr)ns bottom line
Other exciling projects that look pl&e during the year indud8".
An eX￿(lent Black History montr wdeo campaign wrth p• frcyn Aston Villa and our own Men's and
Women's team taking and shanng their experiences
We have produced a Trdlo ve￿10n of our Str*gic Plan. that tyjdines in simply detail our plans for thè
year
We have created a new Sexual HarassmenVAssautt reporting wlicy that is now on the wgbsite.
We commissioned a whol&sc21e rewew and rewnte of our bYe￿W$. The prevh)us version was in need a
rethink with out-of-date18nguage and klea and mthns trKJlted on 8￿h year, the new set are cleaner and
understandable and can hopefulty enable and irKrea8e student engagement, r81her than be view8
as red tape by some of our members
We continued to take part in the NUS Slaff Engagemert Survey and returned a resFectable 88'A score.
This was down on our score from the previous year of but was still highly commendable by the
organisalion. The staff and offi￿r team were keen and quick to come back to the student's un¥)n building
as and when Covid restriction were lrfted
Page 7

ASTON sTUDEP￿S. UNION
(A company Ilmlted by guarantee)
TRUSTEES, REPORT ICONTINUEDI
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Achlfrvements and pgrformancg {contlnuodl
Th8 annual student survey had a complete fra￿iftIhis year, with a phone￿ased 8urvey to make
accessibility as easy as possible. Over 9(K) students complete the suNey that invaluablè
feedback on their eXper￿nces. Oiher ncrtable suryws in th8 ye8r induded the Spoak Week Campaign
that attracted 4￿ students
The helped students cdebrate in styi8 for the first tirrE in three years. 450 attended the AU Ball at The
EastSKle Rooms with 100 and 180- attendees at the Academic and Union Awards respectively
Mission Diverse delNered scthe excellent Ra￿ Equrty for most of our 8tsff and officer team, helping the
SU understand its impact and role in &%klirvJ this strand of the EDI agernda
We reoryanised our offi￿1 handover and trainiThJ this year. Followng ￿ years of online training and
working from home, we were keen to wsit how inducted new officers into Ihe students, union a
wid9r student movement, a key part of thi$ process 1$ the offf￿r ltsming log. that was designèd to track
the officers leaming and understand as exh w88k passed.
The achievement that sums vp the entire year was ts Whatuni Student Choice Awards where we improved our
reputsI￿n as a leading stué8nts' union in country. pkcing a very respectable eighth. Back in 2020 we moved
from 84th to tenth and lo maintain this top len p0S￿on. after the pandemic, when the entire staff, officer and
volunteer team were all adaptiny lo 'new normal blended ￿Ming, and 'dynamic working. was an incredibl&
achievement.
b. Flnanc85
The year was a sound one financialty for the studenls, union. As the organisation transitioned out of thg
pandemic and the studenl exp8rience settled into a new nomial, the organisation was keen to grow and develop
to achieve it5 mission to gwe students the exyience they éeserve. A key objective of this strategy was lo grow
our funding to grow our staff base. A substantial blc¢k grant application was made, including a presentation from
the SU Executive to the Universty Ex8CUtiV& S88kirKJ arOUr￿ £300Kpa increase in ￿ndIng to support all areas of
the stULlenls' union and in particular increase our student supp)rt and wellbeing initiatNes. The final decision of
the University was lo award the students, unTrDn a lump surll of £500.000. This helF)ed fund the proiecled deficit
for the year and of course enabled our reserves to grow. I￿9re0ver il alltyved. towards the end of the year for
new roles lo be advertised including a cr(tscal role in Finance to support the various proc8sses and cr8ation of
the monthly m8nag8menl accounts, a new Wellbeing Ccthinator and an thditKJnal Student Advh80r.
Governancè
The Trustee Board devdowd ils subcommitt88 mr*Jel in this year, ensuring the Finance & Risk sUb￿MmIttee
and Good Govemance Subcommf(lee met as and vthen they were required to. The Good Governan￿ group
played a key r(Aé in reviewiro and recOffmer￿at10n the adoption of a nth¥ set of byelaws for the following year. A
key decision at the end of the 8ar was to mov8 to a model of an extemal member as Chair of the Board. Sin
ASU become an independent charity, the President had taken up this role. bul the board fell that for the efficient
running of the meetings, and to hold the CEO to account the Chaii should be an extemal tru51ee with tha
President acting as Vice Chair.
. Going concern
After m8king appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectatv)n that the wmpany has adequate
rèsources to continue in operational e￿StenCe for the foreseeab￿ ftrture. For this reason th8y continue lo adopt
th8 going concem basis in preparing the financkgl statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going
concem basis can be found in the Ac¢ounting Policias.
Pag8 6

ASTON STUDEKfs' UNION
IA company limited by guaranteg)
TRUSTEES. REPORT ICONTINUEDI
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Flnancial reviow
a. Rèserv88 pollcy
At the balance sheet dote th8 Union £1.184,352 (2021: £782.9291 in reserves, which the Trustees deemed
to be appropriatg gNen the size and nature of the charity. thK¥ wa$ reviewed and ¢onfimied by the Finance and
Risk Sub Committee in February 2022 and further agr88d by the Trusl8e Board.
The L¥)ard agreed lo hold at least £500.000 in reserves. This is an appropri8te amount and relates lo either four
months of total co818 or six-seven months of c#)sts (total costs indudgs rent and utilities and core ￿ver$
staffing and operations).
The board agreed to keep in reseNes up to £120,000 to invest in ts cornmercial services over the next years
whilst the services recover from the pan¢Jemic and kd(down. It has been forecast that £60.000 will be 811ocaled
in 2021-2022 and £40,000 in 2022-2023.
The reserv8S at 31 Juty 2022 CO￿Se8.
Restricted funds of£230,55212021.. £207,257)
Unrestricted funds of £545,50112021.' £84,742)
Designated funds of £408,29912021.. £490,930)
Designated funds include Aston Brook Green funds of £247,50412021." £239,247}.
The free reserves of Aston Students. Union are £953,81XI al 31 July 2022 {2r)21.. £513,273) including the ar￿Unt
in de5ign*ed funds.
Stalgment of Trustees, responsibilities
The Truslees (who are also the directorn of the Un￿n for the purposes of company law) are responsible for
preparing the Trustees, report and the finanrAal Statements in accordan￿ wilh 8ppIic8ble law and Unffed
Kingdom Accounting Standards {UniloJ lQngdom GeneraltyAeeepted Aeeounting Praciice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare finarKial statements for each financial . Under company law, the
Trustees must not approve the financial Statements unless they are satisffi￿ that they give a true and fair Mew of
the slate of affairs of the Union and of its incoming resoU￿e$ and appIl￿tiOn of resources, induding ils in¢fJne
and expenditu￿, for that peri(wJ. In preparing these finanaal stslements, the Trustee5 ar8 required to:
select suitable accounting ￿li￿eS and then apply them c￿SiSten￿Y
observe the methods and prin￿pIeS of the Charilies SORP {FRS 1021;
make juégments ond a￿uNtIng estimates that are reasonab￿ and pr￿dent,.
stale whether applicabk UK Accounting Standards (FRS 1021 have been followed, subjeet to any material
departuras disclosed and explained in the financial statements..
prepare the financial statements on the going c￿teM basis unless it is inappropriate to pre$urrÉ that the
Union will continue in bU￿ness.
The Trustees are re￿￿)nSIble for keeping adaquale accounting record8 that are Sufficient to 8how and explain
the Unh)n's transactions and disclose with wsonable a￿ura￿ at any time the financial posib'on of the UnK)n
and enab￿ them to ensure that the financi81 Stat￿entS comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also
responsible for safeguarding th8 assets of the Union arvj hen￿ for taking reasonable steps for the preventK)n
and detection of fraud and other irregukgritses.
Page g

ASTON STUDENTS, UNION
IA company Ilmited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES. REPORT ICONTINUEDI
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Disclosure of information to audltor
Each of the persons who are Trustees al the lime TNhen this Trustees, report is approved has confirmed that..
so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audrt information of which the charity's auditor is
unaware. and
that Trustee has iaken all the steps that ought lo have been tsken as a Trustee in order lo be aware of
any relevant audit infomialion and to establish that the charity's aud(tor is aware of that information.
Audltor
The auditor. Crowe U.K. LLP. has indicated his willingness lo continue in office. The designated Trustees will
propose a motion rèappointing the auditor at a meeting of the Trustees.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their beha5f by..
A Rana
Ichair of Trustees)
Dale..
Page 10

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
IA company Ilrn11od by guarantsel
INDEPENDENT ALIDITOR'S REPORT TO ThE MEMBERS OF ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
O￿nIon
We have audited the finarKial ststemenls of Aston Students, Union (the 'union'l for the year ended 31 July 2022
which comprise the Statement of finan¢ial adtmties, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows and the
related notes, including a summary of signrficant aco)unting policies. The financial reporting framewDrk th81 has
been applied in their preparation is 8pplicabla law and United Kir¥Jdom AccounliNJ Staftdards, including
Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial RtwtiThJ Standard apPI￿able in the UK and R8public ol
Ireland. {United Kingdom GeneraltyAcceptod Acccwnting Practice).
In tsur opinion the financNg1 Stste￿￿nts=
gwe a true ￿ fair vw of the state of the charitable companys affairs as 8t 31 Juty 2022 and of its
incoming re8ouree8 and applicat￿ft of r&stsJrees. includirvJ its income ancj expendriur8 for the year thon
ended.,
have been propety prepartrj in a￿)rdance with Unf(ed Kingdom Gen6rally Accepted Accounting
Practice., and
have been prepared in accordance wilh th8 requirements of the Coryanie5 Act 2006.
8asis for oplnlon
We conducted our audit in accordanc8 With Intemational Standards on Auditing IUIQ IISAS IUKII and applicable
law. Our reswnsibilities under those standards are further descritr*d in the Auditors ￿sponSIbl1111eS for the audit
of the financial slalements secaion of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance
with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the finaneAI slalemenls in Ihe United Kingdom,
including the Financial Reporting Courril's Elhscal Standard, and we have fulfi'lled our other ethical
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We belI￿e that the audit eviden￿ we have obtained is
sufficient and appropriate to provide a basr6 foT our ¢)pinion.
Conclusions relafjng lo golng concfrm
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees, use cl th8 going concem basis of
accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is arpropriate.
Based ￿ the work we have perf¢)med, we have not identTfEd any material uncertaintie5 relating to events or
conditions that. indiwdualty or colwivety. may cast significant doubt on the charitablo companls ability to
continue as a going concem for a period of at least iwelve month5 from when the financial statéments are
authorised for issue.
Our ￿sponSibl11t1eS and the responsibilitses of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the
rel&vant sections ol this report.
Page 11

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
IA company limited by guarantse)
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ASTON STUDENTS. UNION ICONTINUEDI
Other Inforniafjon
The other infonnation comprises the infomiath)n indude(l in the Annu81 report other than the financial statements
and our Auditorts report thereon. The Truste8s ar8 responsible for the other infomialion contained within the
Annual report. Our opinion on the financial statemnts does not cover Ihe other information and, except lo the
extent otherwise explicttly staled in our r8POrt. we do not express any frjmi of assurance conclusion theregn. Our
responsibility is to read the other inforn￿n arKI. in doing so: ¢Ofts￿er whether thè other infomialion is
materially inconsistent wlh thé financial statements ty our kncffiwl8dg8 obtained in the COUT5e of the audrt, or
olheTh¥ise appears lo b8 maerially misstated. IF we Klentrfy such material inconsistencies or appaMI material
misstatements, we are required lo detemine whether thks gNes rise to a material mi961alement in the financial
statements themsefves. If. based on the woth we have performed, we conclude that there 1$ a material
misslalement of this other infcwmation, we * r4uired to report th* fact.
W8 have nothing lo repLYI in this regard.
Oplnlon on other mattgrs prgscribed by the Companl8s Acl 2006
In our opinion, based on the wot* undertaken in the of the audit..
the Inforrr￿t10n given in the Trustees. Report for the finartid for which the financial statements are
prepared 1$ consistent wih the financial slalemerrts.
the Trustees. Report has been prepared in xcordance wrth applicable I￿81 wuiremènts.
Maitsrn on whlch we are requir8d to roport by exceptÈon
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and tis envÉronment obtsined in the
course of the audft, we have not idenb.fied material misstatements in the Trustees, Report.
We have nothing to report in reSp￿t of the folkjwing matters in relatk)n to whkh Companies Act 2006 requires
us to report to you rf: in our opinion:
adequate accounting record5 have not been W. or retums adequate for our audf( have not b￿n
received from branches not visited by us.. or
the financial statements are not In agreement with the 8ccounting records and retums., or
certain disclosures of Trust88s' remuneration specffied by law are not made,. or
we have not re￿Ned all Ihg Infomatic￿ and explanalpJns we requits for our audit., or
the Trustees We￿ not entitled to prepare th& financial ststements in accordance with the small companies
regime arKI lake advantage of the small companEs' exemptions in preparing the Trustees, Report and
from the requirerrent lo prepare a strateg￿ ReporL
Page 12

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
{A Company limited by guardnteel
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ASTON STUDENTS. UNION ICONTINUEDI
Responslbllltles ot trustees
As explained more fulty in the Trustees, resFX)nsibilities stateM￿t, the Trustee8 (who are also the directors of th8
chantable company for th8 purposes of company law} are responsible for the preparation af the financial
st&temenls and lor being satisfied that they give a true and fair Mew. and for such internal ctsntr¢l as the
Trustees dètermine is necessary to enable the preparalion of fin8nc4al Slalements that are free from material
misslalemenl, whether due to fraud or emr.
In preparing the financi81 statements, the Trustees are ￿sponsible for assessing the charitable compan1$ abilty
to ￿ntinUe as a going ¢on¢em. disclosing. a8 applub￿. matters related to going concern and using the going
concern basis of aC￿untIng unless the Trustees either intend to IKiuidale the charitable company or to cease
operations, or have no realistic altemative bul to do so.
Audltorfs responsibilities for the audlt of the financlal statements
Our otiectives are to c*Jtain reasonable assuran￿ about whether tho financial stalefflents as a whole are f
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. and to issue an Aud¢torfs repDrt that indud8s our
opinion. Reasonable assuran￿ is a huh ￿1 of assurance. but is rTrol a guardnlee that an audr( conducted in
accordance with ISAS (UK) w¢ll alway3 detect a material misstatement vthen rt exists. Misslatemenls can arise
frorn fraud or etror and are considered material rf, individualty or in the aggregate, they could reasonab￿ be
expethd to infiuen¢e the econemic decisions of users taken on the basi8 of these financial 8ts1ements.
Irfftgulariiies, including ￿Ud, are instances of n￿-cOMplyan￿ with laws and regulations. We design procedures
in line wlh our responsibilities, outlin￿} above. to detect m8terial misslalements in respecl of irregularilies,
including fraud. The extent to whith our prO￿lureS are Capablè of dateeting irregularities, including fraud is
detailed below..
We obtsined an understanding of the *al and regulatory framewo￿8 within which the ch8rit8ble company
operates, focusing on those laws regulations that have a direct effed on the determination of material
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The laws and regulations we considered in this contexi
were the Charrties Act 2011 together with the CharTbes SORP IFRS 1021 and the Companies Act 2N6. We
assesseé the required compliance with these and reguLatiorrs as part of our audit procedures on the related
financial statement riems.
In addttion, we considered provisions of other W and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the
financial staternen18 but Complian￿ with whrh might be ftjndamenlal lo the charitable companls ability lo
operate or lo avoid a material penalty. We also considered the opportunrties and incentives that may exist within
the charitabl8 company for fraud. The key Lews and reguLgtions we considered in this context were General Data
Protection Regulation, health and safety legisktion and employee *islalion.
Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures lo identify non-compliance wih thege18ws and regulations
to enquir& of the Trustees and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
W8 i(Sentified the greatest risk of material impaGt on the finanual statements from Irregularit￿S, including fraud,
lo be within the timing and completeness of lettings income reeognition and the override of controls by
management. Our audit procedures to respond lo these risks included enquiries of management and the Board
about their (JNn idenlificatvjn and assessment of Ihe risks of irregularrties. sample testing on the posting of
joumals, sample testing on letlinos income streams. rernwng accounting estimates for biases and reading
mlnutes of meetings of those charg&1 with g¢)vernan￿.
Page 13

ASTON STUDEpifs' UNION
(A company Ilmited by guarantee)
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ASTON STUDENTS, UNION ICONnNUEDI
Owing to tho inherent limitations of an audit. Ihere an Una￿dable risk that we may not have detected 80me
material mi8slatemenls in the financial statements, even though we have properly P￿Th￿ed and perftsmed our
aud(t in accoidance with aud(ting Stsr￿a[￿s. Fcf examp￿, the ftJrth8r removed non-compliance with laws and
regulations {irregularicies} is frcffi the events and transxlions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely
the inherently limited procedure8 required by aud(ting standards woulj identfy it. In addition, a$ wth any audit,
there remained a higher risk of non4election of irregularities. as th8sa may involve collusion, forgory, intentional
omissions, misrepresentations. or the override of inlemal controls. We are not responsib￿ for preventing non
compliance and canTh)t be expected to detect n0nwcompl1an￿ wrth all and regulations.
A further descrption of our respon5ibilrties for the audit of the financial stat8m8nts is I￿ated on th8 Financial
Reporting Councifs website at.. W4￿.frc.OT
.ukJaudrtors
bilities. This description fom8 Part of our
Auditorf8 report.
Usa of our roport
This rgport is made solely to the charitable companVs members, 88 a b&ly. in accordance with Chapl8r 3 of Part
16 of the Companies Act 2￿6. Our audit wotk has been undertaken so that ￿ M￿h1 slal8 lo th8 charitable
company's members those matters we are required to stale to th￿ in an Audilorfs report and for no Other
purpose. To the fUl￿st extent pemtited by Lgw, we do nc* aC￿pt or assume responsibilty to anyone other than
the charitable company and its members. as a t￿. for ¢xtr audit work, for this repor( or for the opinions we
ha￿ fomied.
Helen Drew (Sonlor stalutory audFtor)
for and on behalf of
rowg u.li LLP
Statutory Auditor
Black Country House
Round5 Green Road
Oldbury
West Midland8
869 2DG
Date.. 29 March 2023
Paoe 14

ASTOM STUDENTS. UNION
(A ￿MpanY limÈted by guarantee)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTI
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Total
funds
2022
Total
funds
2021
funds
2022
funds
2022
Incomè from:
Donations and legac￿5
Charitable actDlities
Other trading activities
Inv8slm8nts
other income
2,189,900
930.815
74.433
2,189,900
1,229.695
74.433
408
1, 733,400
693,300
25,374
48
298,880
42.420
42.420
26,296
Total Income
3,237,976
298.880
3,536,856
2,478,418
Expendlture on:
Charitable xtivilieg
2.859.848
275.585
3.136A33
2,240,933
Total expondlture
2,859,848
275,585
3,135,433
2.240,933
Net movement in funds
378,128
23,295
401,423
237,485
Reconclllation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movemerrt in fvnds
575.672
378.128
207.257
23,295
782.929
401,423
54&444
237,485
Total funds carrlad forward
953.80D
230.552
1.184.352
782.929
The Statement of Financial Athities includes all gains and losses rwni50d in th@ year.
The notes on pages 19 to 38 fomi part of these financaal statements.
P8ge 15

ASTON STUDEKfs' UNION
(A COTnpany limrted by guarantee)
REGISTERED NUMBER: 08497016
8ALANCE SHEEr
ASAT 31 JULY 2022
2022
2021
Flxed assets
Intangible assets
Tangible a88et8
14
16
953
70.876
1,429
60,970
71,828
62.399
Current a88ets
Stocks
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
16
17
42,347
286.513
1,101,962
44,957
149,308
740,782
1A30.822
935.047
Cffjditors.. arrtsjunts f811ing due within or
year
18
1318,2981
(214,517)
Net current assets
1,112.624
720,530
Total assets less currnnt liabilit18S
1,184,352
T82,929
Total net assets
1.184.352
781929
Charlty funds
Reslricled funds
Unrestricted funds
19
230.5S2
207,257
Designated funds
General funds
19
19
408.299
545,501
490,930
84, 742
Total unrestricted funds
19
953,800
575,672
Total ftjnds
1,184,352
782,929
Page 16

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
IA company Ilmited by guarantee)
REGISTERED NUMBER: 08497016
BALANCE SHEET ICONTINUEDI
AS AT 31 JULY 2022
The Trustees aCknoWl￿￿e their ￿SPonSibl1(tIes for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect lo
accounting records and preparation of financial stalemenls.
The financial statements have been prep8red in accordance with the provisions applicable to enlilies subje¢l lo
the small companies regime.
The financial slalements were approved and aulhorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by..
}Il
.IlJ"
A Rana
Ichair of Trusleesl
Date..
The notes on pages 19 to 38 form part of these financial stslements.
Page17

ASTON STUDETrtrs' UNION
IA company Ilmlted by guarnntsèl
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
2022
2021
Cash flows from oporatlng actsvioes
N8t cash used in op*ing activit
393,108
287,290
Cash flows from Investlng 8Ctlvlties
Purchas& of tangib￿ fLxed assets
131,9281
(37,227)
Nat cash used in financlng activitios
131.9281
137,227)
Chang• In cash and cash equlvalents in the year
Cash and cash oquivaleth$ at the baginning of thè Jear
361,180
740,782
250,063
490,719
ash and Gash equlvalents at the end of the year
23
1.101.962
740, 782
The notes on pages 19 to 38 fomi p8rt of th858 financial sL*ements
Page18

ASTON STUDEKfs' UNION
IA compary Ilmlted by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
G8n8ral infomiatlon
Aston Stud8nls', un￿ 15 a company limited by guarantee (company number 084g70161 reg181ered in
England and Wales and a Tegistered chanty with the Charity Commission (charlty number 11520671. Its
registered address and principal pkqce of business is Cdeshill Street. Bimingham. West Midlands, United
lfjngdom, B4 7B
Its principal actNty is the OPerat￿n of a Students. Union. It ts a publ￿ benefit entty.
Accounting pollcle8
2.1 Basls of preparntion of flnanclal ststements
The financial stslemenls have been prepared in accordance with the Charrties SORP IFRS 1021-
Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Prydctice applicable lo charities
preparing their accounts in accordance with the Finawl Reporting Standard applicable in the UK
and Republic of Irdand IFRS 1021 leffecttve 1 January 20191. th8 Financial Reporbng Stsndard
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and the Companies Act 2006.
Aston Students. Union meets the (lefinition of a public b8nefft entity under FRS 102. Assèts and
liabilities are initially reccgnised at historical c05t or transaction value unless otherwise sl*ed in the
relevant accounting polry.
2.2 Going concern
The Union has cash resour￿$ and has no reqUir￿ent for ext8mal funding. The trustees have
reasonable expectations that the chanty has wjequate resources to continue in operational existen
for the foreseeable future. They continue to bdieve that the going concern tX8is of accounting Is
appropriale in prepanng the annual financial slatomenls and believe there are no r￿terial
uncertainties which frffKt the Union's abilty to ￿ltinue as a going concem.
2.3 Income
All income is recognis&J once the Union has entrtlerrent to the income. it is probable that the income
will be received and the amount of income r6￿vth can b8 m8asured reliabty.
Donated Servi￿ or facilitw are recognised when the Union ha8 entit￿ment lo the income, it 18
probable that the incomé ￿11 be r&eived and th8 amount of income receivabk can be measured
reliably.
On receipL donated profession81 serwces donated f￿lItieS are recogni$ed on thè basis of th8
value of the gift to the Unton wh￿h ig the amount the Union would have be8n willirkg lo pay to obtain
services or facilities of equNalent economic berEfft on the open market.. a corresponding amount is
then recognised in expendrture in the pericKI of r￿lpt.
Other incerfne is rec(KJnised in the Feri¢>J in vthith it is receivable and to the extent the goods have
been provided or on cTh)plel￿n ofthe Serv￿4.
Page 19

ASTON STUDEPn' UNION
(A Company Ilmltod by guardnteel
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Accounllng poli¢i8s Icontlnuad}
2.4 Expèndlture
Expenditure is reccgni88d once there is 8 I￿81 or ￿nstrU￿1Ve obly*k)n to transfer economic b8n8frt
to a Ihird party, it is probable thal a transfer of economic benefrts will be required in sett￿ment and
the amount of the obligation can be measurej reliabty. Expenditure is cla5srfied by activrf(y. The c08t8
of each activity are made up of the total of direct ¢osts and shared costs, including support costs
invoKfed in undertaknng each aetiMty. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly
to that actNty. Shared costs wh￿h contribute to more than one actNity and support eosts which are
not attributablè lo a Sing￿ actiwty are apportioned be￿eeft those actNrties on a basis consistent wrth
the use of resources. Central staff costs are on the basis of time swnt, and depreciation
charges ￿lOCated on the portb)n of the asset's use.
Expanditur8 on charitable actwibes is incurred on directly undertaking ts 8Ctiv'rties which further the
Union's objectives. as well as any associaled support costs.
2.5 Government grants
Gov8mment grants are credite(I to the consolid8ted statement of financial actNiti8s as the related
expendf(ure is incurred.
2.6 Taxatlon
No promston is made in these accounts for corForation tsx as the Guild is exempt fr(￿ such taxes as
a resu￿ of having deriva its charrtable sL21us Irom its parent governing body, Aston UnNèrsty.
2.7 Intanglblo assets and amortisatlon
IntsngIb￿ assets Costing £1,000 or mor8 are caprtalised and recconised when fvture economic
benefrts are probable arKI the c051 or value of Ihe asset can be measured reliabty.
Intangible assets are in￿81￿ recogni￿1 at cost. After rwnition. under the cost model, inlanglble
assets are measured at Lxlst ￿ any ￿AMulated amort18at￿n and any accumu181ed impaimient
losses.
knottisalM)n is promded the folltrwing basis:
Soknre
20 % S￿Ight line
Page 20

ASTON STUDElm' UNION
IA company Ilmit•d by guarantee}
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Accountlng pollclgs (continued)
2.8 Tanglble fixed as80ts and deprnciatlon
Tangible fixed assets costing £1.fy)O or more are capitali5e•J and recOJn￿ed when future economi
beneffts are probable and the ￿$1 or value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Tangibl8 fixed assets a￿ initk8lly r￿nISed at cost After retsjgnition. under the cost model, tangible
frAed a88ets are measured at cost less ￿uMUlated deprecialh?n and any accumulated impaimi8nt
losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangib￿ fixed asset into its intended working ￿ndI￿on should be
included in the measurement of cost.
Al each reporbng date the Union assesses whdher there is any Indicat￿)n of impairnenl. If such
indication exists, the reCOve￿bIe amount of the asset is detem)ined lo be the higher of fcs fair value
less costs to sell and ts value in use. An impaimiant loss is recognised where the carrwng amount
eXcetr￿s the recoverable amount.
Depreciation is charged so as to alkcaie th8 cost of tangible fixed assets less iheir residual valu8
OV8r Ihoir estimated usefvl lives, using the straigh14ine method.
Depreciath)n is provided on the follcr•VitvJ bases:
PL4nl and m￿h1n￿Y
Motor vehicle5
Fixtures and ffttings
offi￿ equipmerrt
- 2f>33.3% annum straighl lin8
16.6% p&r annum straight line
16.6-25% per annum straight line
25% per annum straight line
2.9 Stocks
Stocks are valued at the Ich¥er of cost and net reolisable value after making due allowanc@ for
obsolete and slow-moving stc¢k¥.
2.10 Flnancial instruments
The Union C￿lY enters into basic finanaal instruments that resull in the recognriion of financial assets
and liabilities such as Irwle and other debtors and credrtors.
D8btors
Short-term debiots are measured at transactK*n prtce. any Impalm￿nL
ash
Cash al bank and in harKI includes cash and short terni highly liquid investm8nts wf(h a short matL5rity
f three rnonlhs or less from the date of acquisition or c4)ening of the deposit or similar account.
Creditors
Short-term credrtors are measured at the transaction PrTr￿. Olher financial liabilities are measured
inrtially at fair value. ngt of tran5adion costs. and are measured subsequently at arFKJrti5ed cosl using
elfethe interest methc#J.
2.11 Panslons
The Union operates a defined contribulion pension scheme and Ihe p8nsion charge represents the
amounts payable by the Union to the furKi in respect of the year.
Page 21

ASTON STUDETrrrs' UNION
(A company limlt8d by guaranto01
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENOED 31 JULY 2022
Gountlng polioies Icontlnuedl
2.12 Fund accounllng
Ggneral funds are unrestricted lunds whKh ar8 avatable for use at th8 discretion of the Trustees in
furtherance of the general objectNe8 of the Union and wh￿h havo not beon designated for other
purp08es.
Designated fvnds comprise unrestrictwj funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for partlcular
purposes. The aim and use of èach dwnated fur￿ is set out in the notes lo tho financial
statements.
Restricted fund8 are funds which are io be uwj in accordance wf£h sp￿lf￿ restrictions imposed by
donors or which have been raised by the Union ftsr partieuL8r purposes. The costs of raising and
ministering such funds are charged ayainsl the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted
fund Is Set out in the notes to the financial ststements.
Investment income, gains and kwes a￿ 811¢xated to the wropriate fiJrKI.
Crltlcal accountlng estlmates and argas of Judgment
Est'mates and judgments are ¢(￿tinU?1￿ evaluated and are bawj on historical experience 8nd other
factors, induding exp*tK)ns of future events that are telieved to be reaSC￿ab1e under the
circumstsnces.
Critt¢al a¢counting estimates and assumpknns:
The Union makes estimates and assumptson5 concerning th8 future. The resufting accounti￿ eslirnales
and assumptions will. by deffini(ion, seldom equal the related actual results. There are no estimates and
assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a malarial adjustment to the carrying amounts of
asselg and liabili(ies wlhin the n8xk financial year.
Page 22

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
(A company limited by guarant¢e}
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Income from donatlons and legaclfjs
Unrestricted
funds
2022
Total
funds
2022
B1￿k grant
2,189.900
2,189,900
un￿st￿CtOd
funds
2021
Total
fvnds
2021
Block grant
Govemment grants
1, $47,204
86, 196
1.647,204
86, 196
1,733,400
1, 733,400
The govemment grants figure consists of £nil {2021.. £86,196) relating to a Coronavirus Job Retention
Scheme ICJRSI Granl from the governmerrt. The CJRS grant was set up to cover the costs of staff
placed on furlough duè to the Covtd19 restricbcffl and this amount represents the costs whKh can be
claimed under CJRS.
Income from charltable activities
Unrestricted Restricted
funds
funds
2022
2022
Total
funds
2022
Incom8 from charitable ￿￿ttle$- Membership Serv
(Support}
Income from charitable activiUes- M￿berShIP se￿￿$
(Activitses)
Income from charitable actswlw- Commercial Services
Income from charitable ￿￿'Viti.eS- Support Services
Incom8 from charitable activib'es- Clubs and Sccieties
514,160
614.160
2,C65
322.620
91,970
2,065
322.620
91.970
298,880
298.880
930,815
29S,880
1,229,695
Page 23

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
(A company Ilmttgd by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Income from charitable actlvltles {continuedl
un￿SInC￿e￿ Restricted
fiinds
funds
2021
2021
Total
funds
2021
Income from charitable &tivrties- Membership Se￿8
(Support)
I￿orne frcqn charitable ¥tivitÈs- MemLwship Serybces
IAGtiwtie81
Income from charitable aclmt￿- CO￿￿ErCial Servi
Income from charitable &tNities - Supwrt Seryi
Income from charitable ath1t￿- Clubs and Sociebe8
519,222
519,222
286
61,961
19,750
92.081
61.961
19.7
9Z081
601,219
92.081
693,300
Incom• from othertrading actlvltl8s
Incomè from non charftablg trading activltles
Unrestrict8d
funds
2022
Total
funds
2022
Rotvm hire
74,433
74,433
Un￿Sti7ct8d
nds
2021
Tolal
lunds
2021
Room hire
25,374
25,374
Page 24

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
(A company Ilmttod by guarant99)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Investrnent Income
Unrestri¢tsd
funds
2022
Totsl
funds
2022
Investment income
408
Unrestnct8d
funds
2021
Total
funds
2021
Investment incc*ne
Other Incoming rasourc8s
Unrestrlcted
funds
2022
Total
funds
2022
Miscellanaous income
42,420
42,420
Unrwtricted
funds
2021
Total
funds
2021
Miscellaneous income
26,296
26,296
Page 25

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
{A company Ilmlled by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT8
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Analy8ls of expenditure on charitable actlvitbeg
Summary by fund type
Unrestricted Restrlcted
funds
funds
2022
2022
Total
2022
Membership Services (Supporti
Membership Services {ActNilies)
Membership Services (Representstic￿)
Commercial Services
Clubs and Swteties
981.363
,192
531,742
782.551
981.363
564.192
531,742
782.561
275.585
27S,585
2,859.848
275,585
3.135,433
Unl￿￿1cled Restricted
funds
funds
2021
2021
Tot
2021
Membership Serwces (Supwrtl
Membership SeNces IActNTtiesl
Membership Serwces (Representation)
Commercial Servi
Clubs and Soci8ts'8S
911,S35
387,518
458,476
439.355
9t1.535
387,518
458,476
439.355
44,049
44,049
2, 196,884
44,049
2,240,933
P4e 26

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
{A company Ilmlted by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
10. Anaty818 of oxpendlture by activltles
Activitles
undertakgn
directly
2022
Support
costs
2022
Toial
fund$
2022
Membership Services Isupkknl
Membership Services IActMlie8)
Membership Service5 (Representstion)
Commercial Services
Clubs and Societies
687.746
270,575
238,126
488.934
275,585
293,617
293.617
293,616
2￿,617
981.363
564.192
531,742
782.551
275,585
1.960,966
1,174,467
3,135.433
Actmties
undertaken
ditsclly
2021
Support
costs
2021
Total
fvnds
2021
Membership Semces (Supporti
Membership SeNices (Activttiesl
Membership Se￿￿$ {Repres￿]0n)
Commefclal SeNices
Clubs and Socièties
651, 1
127. 162
198. 121
178.999
H,049
260,355
26Q,356
260.355
260.356
911,535
387,518
458,476
439,355
44,049
1. 199,511
1,041.422
2,240,933
Page 27

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
IA company Ilmfted by guaftntee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
10. Analysi8 of expendliure lyj actlvlties Icontinu8d
2022
2021
support Costs
Trading costs
Bank charges
Computer costs
Hire of quipmerrt
Licenses
Repairs and maintenan
Depreciation
Security
Social media
Training I Staff devdopment I Staff Subs
Transport
Other ovorheads
Aston UnNersity recharged o)sls
Wages and sakries
1.312
2,932
4,999
65
1,918
17,120
203
2,887
3.249
3.087
1. 191
5,178
44,635
7,685
6.014
1,805
55,207
743.519
261.000
22,894
12,963
100
7,049
1.989
118, 765
674,240
199,202
13,959
9,839
Pension
1,185,913
1,041,422
11. Auditorfs rèmunerntlon
2022
2021
Fees payabl8 to the Union's audtts for the audit of the Union's annu81
a¢wunts
1458S
13.4QO
Fees payablé lo th6 Unbjn's audrtor in respect ot.
All non-audf( seNices not included above
1.315
610
Page 28

ASTON STUDENTS, UNION
{A company Ilmit8d by guarantse)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
12. Staff costs
2022
Wages and 8alarie8
Social seeurrity ¢o$ts
Contributijn to defined contribution pension schemes
947,174
67,831
43,272
681,390
43,836
27, 130
1.058,277
T52,356
The avewe number of persons employed by the Unh)n during the year was as follows..
2022
2021
No.
Total employees
61
41
The number of employees lthose gmpbyee benefts (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded
£60.000 was..
2022
2021
No.
In the band £70,001- £80:C
Key man￿ement personnel are consider￿1 to ￿ anyC￿e who has auth￿rtY and responsibilty for
planning. directing arKI controlling the ￿MtIeS of the Union. During the year key rnanagement personn81
received remuneration and beneffts tclalling £225,15512021: £169,4%1.
Page 29

ASTON STUDEpifs' UNION
IA company Ilmlted by guaranteg)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
13. Trustees. remunerallon and expen
During the y8ar 8nded 31 Jvly 2022, expenses lotalling £74 were reimburswj or paid diredy to 1 Trustee
(2Q21- £46 to l Trnstee) in respect of travel expenses incurred.
Trustees, remuneratlon
During the year: oné or more Trustees has been paKJ remungration or has received other benefits from
an employment with the Unijn. Tr wdlue crf Trustees. remunerath)n and other benefits was a8 foll¢yws.'
2022
2021
Y Singh
P Dawson
A Rana
K Wong
A M8zhar
A M82har
H Sheppard
B Purewal
M Ahmad
SAhmed
S Azhar
18,453
16,761
1,8
1.8fy)
17.069
1,800
1.678
2,732
1,552
17,417
19,094
17,417
17,417
18,327
1,946
77,307
Page 30

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
{A company Ilmltgd by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
14. Intanglble assets
8oftwarè
Cost
Al 1 Augu¥l 2021
2,382
At 31 July 2022
2,382
Amortlsatlon
At 1 August 2021
Charge for the year
9S3
476
At 31 Juty 2022
1,429
Net book valuo
At 31 July 2022
953
At31 Ju￿￿21
1,429
Page 31

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
(A compaThy Ilmited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
15. Tangible flxed assets
Plant and
machln8ry
Motor Flxtures and
vehlcle5
flttSngs
Offlc8
aqulpment
Total
C08t or valuatlon
Al 1 August 2021
Ad(fitions
39,761
17.947
54,126
303N62
13,981
52.210
449,659
31.928
At 31 July 2022
57.708
54,126
317A43
52.210
461.487
Depreclatlon
At 1 August 2021
Charge for the year
3&192
46.715
2.169
261,024
14,453
45.658
388,589
22.023
At 31 July 2022
40.593
48,884
275.477
45.658
410,612
Not book value
Al 31 Juty 2022
17.116
41,966
6.SS2
70.875
At 31 July 2021
4.569
7.411
42,438
6,552
60,970
16. Stocks
2022
2021
Raw materials and consumables
42,347
44,957
17. Debtors
2022
2021
Due wlthln one year
Tr>Je debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
87.496
1,047
197,971
11,722
1,523
136,063
288,513
149,308
Page 32

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
(A company Ilmltod by guarantoè)
NOTES TO THE RNANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDeD31 JULY 2022
18. Credllors: Amounts falllng due within one year
2022
2021
Trdde creditors
Amounts owed to 8sscaates
Other laxalion and social security
Other credttors
Accruals and deferred inco
120,869
100,701
18,512
10,846
67.370
44,601
68,932
4,991
5, 761
90,232
318,298
214,517
2022
2021
Deferred income at 1 August 2￿21
Resourc88 deferred during the year
Amounts rebased from prevh)us perioJs
33,711
13.816
(33,7111
33,711
(129)
13,816
33,71t
D&ferred income relate8 to renlal inC￿e, NUS card saks income, and income from the sale of
markeling sta￿S during Ihe 2022 freshers fair recewed in &lvance.
Page 33

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
(A ¢ompany Ilmlted by guardnteg
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
19. Statement of funds
ststemgnt of funds- currgnt y¥ar
Balance at 1
August 2021
Balance at
Income Exp8nditurn 31 July 2022
De61gnated funds
DesvJnated Funds
Aston Brc*Jk Green
Commercial Serv￿8 Set Up Costs
IT Equipment
Commercial Services Bu$in8ss Deve￿)ment
SO.122
239,247
30.888
10.673
160.000
50,122
247.604
S12,024
{303,7671
130,8881
10,673
100.000
160,LMK)I
.930
512.024
1594.6SS}
408.299
Unrestrlcted funds
General Fund8- all funds
B4,742
2.n5.952 {1265.1931
545.501
Tt)tal Unrestrfctsd funds
57&872
3.237.976 {2.859.848
953,800
Restricted fund5
Hardship fund
Clubs and societies
Alumni grant for equipment
6A37
198.325
2.495
6,437
221,620
2,495
298￿80
1275,58S)
207,257
298.880
{275,5861
230,562
Total of funds
782.929
3.536.856 13.135.433) 1.184.352
Restricted funds consists of monies held on behaff of dubs and Societies, for hardshp support and
funding clubs actNf(ies.
The designated funds have been set aside for the promsion of continued Se￿1￿5 to members of a non-
eapital nature and to cover th8 pot&ntial wind up Costs of the Green.
P￿e 34

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
IA company Ilmlied by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
19. Statamont of funds Icontlnued)
ststement of funds- prlor year
Balancg al
l August
2020
T￿nSfe
Balance al
in/Thrt 31 July 2021
Income Expenditu
Unrestrfcted funds
Designated funds
Designated Funds
Aston Brook Green
Commercial Services Set Up
Costs
IT Equipment
Commercial Services Business
Development
50, 122
228,938
50, 122
239.247
519.407
(5LYJ.098)
30,888
10,673
30,888
10.673
160,000
I￿.0{KI
219,060
519.407
(509.098)
201,561
490,930
Unrestricted funds
General Funds- all funds
107, 759
1,866,930 (1,687, 786)
(201.56iJ
84,742
Total Unr8strlcted funds
386,219
2,386,337 (2. 196.884J
575,672
Restricted funds
Hardship fund
Clubs and scLieties
Alumni grant for ￿UIpment
6,437
1XI,293
2.495
5,437
198,325
2.495
92,081
(44,049)
159.225
92.081
(44,049)
207,257
Totsl of funds
545,444
2,478,418 R,240,933)
7￿2,929
The transfer between the Designated Funds and Unrest[￿ted Funds rdates to amourts lo be expended
tNards the improvement of the bar and catering facilTiies of £30,888. staff computar equipmènt of
£10,673 and amounts lo be expended in respe(* of devebpmenl of c(xnmerc￿1 services of £160,0(K).
Page 35

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
(A company Ilrnrtad ty guaranloo
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT8
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
20. summary of funds
Summary of funds- current year
Balance at 1
August 2021
Balance at
Income Expendlture 31 Juty 2022
Designated fijnds
General funds
Restricted funds
490.930
84,742
207,257
512,024
{594,6551
2.725,962 (1265.1931
298.880
{275,5851
408,299
645.501
230,552
782,929
3,536,856 13.135A331 1.184,362
8ummary offund5- priorytsr
Bala￿e at
1 August
2020
Tra￿￿e
8*ance al
in/oul 31 July 2021
InGom& Expenditul
Designated fuThJs
General funds
Restricted funds
2T9,CfO
107, 159
159.225
519,407
(&)9,098)
1.866.930 (1, 687, 786)
92,081
(44,049)
201,561
f201,561J
490,930
84, 742
207,257
444 2.478,418 (2.240,933)
782,929
21. Anatysis of net assgts between fvnds
Analysis of net assets bet4veen funds- current year
Unrestrieted Restrictod
funds
funds
2022
2022
Total
fundg
2022
Tangibl& frxed ass81s
Intangible fixed assets
C￿r￿nt assets
Creditor5 due wrthin one year
70.875
953
1,2rJ),270
(318.298)
70,875
953
1,430,822
1318,298
230,552
Totsl
953,800
230.552
1.184.352
Page 36

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
(A ￿MpanY limited by guarantse)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
21. Anatysis of net assets betweèn funds (¢ontinuod}
Analysls of net assets between funds- prlor year
UnTrstri¢ted
ftjnds
2021
R8slncl&J
funds
2021
To181
fvnds
2021
Tangible h'xed assets
Intangible fixed assels
Current assets
Crgditors due within ¢Me year
60,970
1,429
727,790
(214.517)
60,970
t,429
935,047
(214,517)
207.257
Total
575,672
207,257
782,929
22. Reconclllatlon of net movement in funds lo net cash flow from op8ratlng activlties
2022
2021
Net income forthe year {as per Statement of Financial Acliviliesl
401,423
23T,485
Adjustrnents for:
Depreciation charges
AmortiBation charges
Decrease in st(Kks
Decreasellincrea8e} in debtors
Inc￿Se in Gredrtors
22,023
476
2,610
1137,2051
103.781
18,821
477
11,419
9,952
9, 136
Net cash provlded by oper*ing activities
393,108
287,290
Analy51s of cash and cash equivalents
2022
2021
Cash in hand
1.101.962
740, 782
Page 37

ASTON STUDENTS. UNION
(A company limited by guarants8)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
24. Analysls of changes In nel debt
At 1 August
2021 Cash fio
At 31 July
2022
Cash at bank and in hand
740,782
361,180
1,101,962
25. Pen3ton commltments
The Union ha$ contributed to the pens*)n scheme8 operated by The People8 Pension.
Pension costs paid in the year an￿Unted to £43.272 {2021.. £27,129).
26. Opèratlng lease commltments
At 31 Juty 2022 the Union had ¢ommitn*nts lo make fijture minimum lease p8yments under non-
cancellable oper81ing leases as follows..
2022
2021
Not later than 1 year
Laler than 1 year and not kter than 5 years
Later than 5 ye8r5
470.400
470.400
352.800
470.4C
470,4LKI
823.200
1.293,600
1, 764,000
27. Rolate¥l paty transactlons
The Union received a grdnl fr¢)m the parent t￿. Aston UnNersty, of £2,189,orx) 12021: £1,647.2041.
The Union recharged £1.822.65 (2021.. £1.446,747) of 8XP8nses relating to r8pairs arml rnainl8nanc8,
cleaning, rental and payroll.
Within creditors is an amount of £100.701 (2021". £68,932) due to Aston University.
Controlling party
The Union is controlled by the Executwe Comrniliee which is subject to democratic election by the voting
membership of the Union. The U￿mate control of the Union is vested under the constitution in the
mernbership in General meeting. As such no Sing￿ porson or entty contro15 Ihe Union as d&fin8d by
Financial Reporting Standard 102.
P8g8 38