THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
Registered Charity No. 1153826
AZETS AUDIT SERVICES Greytown House 221/227 High Street Orpington Kent BR6 0NZ
THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Charity Information | 1 |
| Report of the Trustees | 2 |
| 7 | |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Balance Sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 9 |
THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Trustees Dr S Ramsden Mr J Short Mr R Ellis Charity Registration Number 1153826 Key Management Dr S Ramsden Mr J Short Principal Office St Georges Genomics Service St George’s University Hospitals NHS FT Tooting London SW17 0RE Banker HSBC Bank Plc 12 Victoria Street Nottingham NG1 2FF Independent Examiner C. Cooper FCCA Azets Audit Services 221 – 227 High Street Orpington Kent BR6 0NZ
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THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014 updated for Bulletin 1.
Objectives
For the public benefit, the promotion, protection and preservation of good health, by any means deemed appropriate by the Trustees from time to time, including by:
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The promotion, encouragement and advancement of the study and practice of clinical genetic science.
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The advancement of education, research and innovation in clinical genetic science.
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The development and promotion of clinical standards in clinical genetic science.
Membership
Membership is open to professionals working within clinical genetic science in either a hospital or research environment. Organisations or companies whose work is associated with clinical genetic science may apply for associate membership of the Association. Membership of the ACGS also includes membership of the British Society for Genetic Medicine (BSGM).
Review of the year
The Association for Clinical Genomic Science (ACGS) was established in December 2012 from a merger of the Association for Clinical Cytogenetics and the Clinical Molecular Genetics Society with the vision of bringing together scientists working within genetics into one professional association. The merger took place from 1 January 2014 and the charity commenced to operate with effect from this date. The name of the association was changed to Association for Clinical Genomic Science following a vote at a Special Meeting of members held on 4th Nov 2016.
Simon Ramsden has been chair of the association since September 2019. The term of the post is for 2 years, followed by a period as Vice Chair supporting the new incumbent. This post has been extended due to Covid. An incoming chair has been identified and Prof Robert Taylor was appoint as chair on 30[th] September 2021. However due to ill health shortly after appointment Prof. Taylor was unable to take on the chair and Simon Ramsden remained as Chair and Trustee for a further extended period. Prof Taylor is expected to take on the position as chair fully in 2022.
The ACGS has spent considerable effort working with Genomics England, NHS England and the diagnostic community during the climax period of implementing the plans for reconfiguration of genomic medicine in England and working to make the transition as best as can be achieved with attention also to the effects on genomics in the devolved nations.
The ACGS has worked with the BSGM over consolidating the management of subscriptions, membership records and conference organisation by the Royal Society of Biology. This brings benefits, including reliable backup of services, online membership directory, and reduced input from ACGS executive committee members.
A number of subcommittees operate within the ACGS to promote its aims. The ACGS thanks the chairs and members of all these groups for their skill and time.
Statement on Public Benefit
The objectives and activities, and achievement and performance sections of this report clearly set out the activities which the charity undertakes for the public benefit. The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Commission in determining the activities undertaken by the charity.
Financial Review
During the year the charity received income totalling £25,259 (2020: £17,914). The charity incurred expenses totalling £20,562 (2020: £39,925) resulting in a net surplus for the year of £4,697 (2020: deficit of £22,011).
The charity had assets totalling £85,188 at 31 December 2021 (2020: £80,491).
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THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES – continued
Reserves Policy
The Charity acknowledges the volatility of its levels of generated income and its trustees have committed to setting aside an unrestricted reserve of £50,000 (2020: £50,000) to mitigate against potential income fluctuation and to insure against unexpected losses for example cancelled events due to circumstances beyond our control. The level of the fund was set with the potential wind-down costs of the Charity in mind, should the charity ever be forced to consider closure. The current level of unrestricted reserves is £85,188 (2020: £80,491). The Trustees are reviewing the reserves policy on an annual basis.
Investment policy
Under the Constitution, the charity has the power to invest funds not immediately required for its own purposes, in any way the Trustees see fit. The organisation has historically operated with a positive cash balance to cover eventualities and unforeseen expenses. The banking facilities are reviewed on a regular basis.
Risk Management
The trustees are in the process of examining the major risks that the Charity faces and will establish systems so that the necessary steps can be taken to manage those risks. The Charity will formulate a Risk Register and this will be monitored and reviewed on an annual basis by the trustees. The trustees consider the following to be the principal risks that the charity faces:
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Failure or cancellation of large of ACGS-organised event. Mitigation by planning: experience of previous events; careful scheduling with regard to other events; modelling anticipated expenses and receipts.
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Failure of bank holding ACGS funds. Mitigation by spreading funds across accounts in separate banks. Although the risk has been reduced by opening an account at a second bank and subsequently distributing funds.
Plans for Future Years
The ACGS seeks to consolidate its role representing the interests of its members and influencing development of the genomic science.
The Trustees and Executive Committee members are currently seeking to fill a number of subcommittee roles which are currently vacant. These are being advertised to the membership.
The main current focus of ACGS is with regard to its continued commitment to supporting Genomics England and NHS England with the genetics laboratories reconfiguration project and ancillary tasks. Continuing effort will be spent in influencing and informing these processes, and facilitating communication between member laboratories, so that their work may prosper and any disruption to services is minimised. We shall continue to work with the Genomics Implementation Unit, to influence the shape of genomic testing in England and in the whole UK.
Much of the work of the subcommittees will be along the lines of established and successful strategies.
The ACGS will continue its work with BSGM and Royal Society of Biology (RSB) on the transition of management of subscriptions, membership records and conference organisation to the RSB.
The ACGS seeks to consolidate a secure financial position. A commercial accounting system is now in use providing easier management and increased efficiency, transparency and access to independent examiners and other Trustees.
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THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES – continued
Structure, Governance and Management
Constitution
The Charity is an unincorporated entity, governed by a Constitution dated 14 December 2012, and amended on 25 June 2013. It was registered as a charity on 16 September 2013, registered charity number 1153826.
Appointment and Recruitment of Trustees
The charity shall be managed and administered by a committee comprising the officers and other members, elected in accordance with this Constitution. The officers shall be the trustees of the Charity and in this Constitution are together called ‘the trustees’.
The charity shall have the following officers:
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a. Chair,
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b. Secretary,
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c. Treasurer
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d. Chair Elect.
A trustee must be a member of the charity.
The number of trustees shall be not less than three but (unless otherwise determined by resolution of the charity in general meeting) shall not be subject to any maximum.
The first trustees (officers) will be the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer and shall be those persons elected as trustees and officers at the meeting at which this Constitution is adopted. An additional trustee (Chair Elect) will be appointed.
A trustee may not appoint anyone to act on his or her behalf at meetings of the trustees.
The following Trustees have served during the year:
Ms R Ellis Dr S Ramsden Mr J Short
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2015 (FRS 102);
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
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THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES – continued
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES (cont)
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf:
J Short Trustee
Date: 20 June 2022
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THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2021 which are set out on pages 7 to11.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
C. Cooper (FCCA) For and on behalf of Azets Audit Services Greytown House, 221/227 High Street Orpington, Kent, BR6 0NZ
Date: 22 June 2022
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THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
| Income and Expenditure Account Notes Income from: Investment income Charitable activities: Training Meetings and Conferences Membership Subscriptions Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 2 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Total 2021 £ 559 - 100 24,600 __ 25,259 _ 20,562 __ 20,562 _ 4,697 80,491 _____ 85,188 |
funds Total 2020 £ 2,073 66 15,775 - __ 17,914 _ 39,925 __ 39,925 _ (22,011) 102,502 _____ 80,491 |
|---|---|---|
All transactions are derived from continuing activities.
All recognised gains and losses are included in the Statement of Financial Activities
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THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021
| Note 2021 £ Current Assets Debtors – other debtors 4 26,788 Cash at bank and in hand 60,668 _ 87,456 Creditors:amounts falling due within one year 5 (2,268) _ Net Current Assets Net Assets Represented by: Unrestricted funds |
2020 £ £ £ 10,808 72,090 _ 82,897 (2,406) _ 85,188 80,491 _ _ 85,188 80,491 _ _ 85,188 80,491 _ _ 85,188 80,491 |
2020 £ £ £ 10,808 72,090 _ 82,897 (2,406) _ 85,188 80,491 _ _ 85,188 80,491 _ _ 85,188 80,491 _ _ 85,188 80,491 |
|---|---|---|
| _ 80,491 _ 80,491 |
The financial statements were approved and signed on 20 June 2022 on behalf of the Board by:
J Short Trustee
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THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 Basis of preparation
Association for Clinical Genomic Science is a registered charity constituted under a Trust Deed. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 1 of these financial statements. The nature of the charity’s operations and principal activities are set out on page 2.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015 updated by Bulletin 1.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
1.2 Income
All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.
Investment income is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable.
Income from Subscriptions, Training, Meetings and Conferences is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable.
1.3 Expenditure
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. It is categorised under the following headings:
- Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
1.4 Funds accounting
Unrestricted general funds are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.
1.5 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
1.6 Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.
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THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
1.7 Going Concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.
1.8 Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
Accounting estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
There are no judgements or key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.
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CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Annual meeting Other meeting costs Executive Committee Publicity Subscription Workshop Bank charges Governance – Independent examination Bad Debts |
2021 £ 11,908 1,635 444 - 1,340 10 100 3,165 2,050 __ 20,562 ____ |
2020 £ 31,476 3,432 778 2,310 461 1,033 - 435 - __ 39,925 ____ |
|---|---|---|
3 STAFF COSTS AND TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION
There were no staff in the year (2020: nil).
None of the Trustees received any remuneration during the year (2020: Nil). During the year the charity had no related party transactions, (2020: £nil).
During the year the Trustees received reimbursed expenditure amounting to £180 (2020: £3,237) in relation to travel, subscriptions, subsistence, printing, postage and stationery.
4 DEBTORS
| Other debtors | 2021 £ 26,788 __ 26,788 ____ |
2020 £ 7,442 __ 7,442 ____ |
|---|---|---|
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THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE FORMERLY ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL GENETIC SCIENCE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
| 5 CREDITORS Trade creditors Accruals |
2021 £ - 2,268 __ 2,268 ____ |
2020 £ 250 2,156 __ 2,406 ____ |
|---|---|---|
6 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There were no related party transactions during the year (2020: None).
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