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← The Association For Clinical Genomic Science

2023-12-31-accounts

THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Registered Charity No. 1153826

AZETS AUDIT SERVICES River House 1 Maidstone Road Sidcup Kent DA14 5RH

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 Prof R Taylor Mr J Short Mr R Ellis Charity Registration Number 1153826 Key Management Prof R Taylor 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 River House 1 Maidstone Road Sidcup Kent DA14 5RH

1

THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023.

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:

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 ACGS has spent considerable effort working with Genomics England, NHS England and the diagnostic community following a period of reconfiguration and subsequent instability of genomic medicine in England and continues to work to make the ongoing modifications work as best as can be achieved for the members and the patients they support. The ACGS continues to work inclusively with the devolved nations to provide a holistic supportive association for all members in the UK.

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 £70,973 (2022: £85,989). The charity incurred expenses totalling £66,187 (2022: £58,760) resulting in a net surplus for the year of £4,786 (2022: £27,229).

The charity had assets totalling £117,203 at 31 December 2023 (2022: £112.417).

2

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 (2022: £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 £117,203 (2022: £112,417). 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:

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 association seeks to continue to support and help align genomic services across the UK.

The Trustees and Executive Committee members have recently appointed new members as leads of the various subcommittees that support the fundamentals of the ACGS. A new chair to replace Prof Taylor is still being sort.

The main current focus of ACGS is its continued commitment to supporting members be providing a collaborative forum to communicate, educate and inform. 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 NHS England and the Genomics 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. Despite a reduced requirement to fund external activities and travel awards following the pandemic the ACGS wishes to promote face to face meetings and encourage direct communications. The association expects to fund further meetings, particularly the annual ACGS conference, and travel costs to encourage these direct learning opportunities.

3

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:

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 Mr J Short Prof R Taylor

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:

4

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: 8 April 2024

5

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 2023 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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. 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 River House, 1 Maidstone Road Sidcup, Kent DA14 5RH

Date: 9 April 2024

6

THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Income and Expenditure Account
Notes
Income from:
Investment income
Charitable activities:
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
2023
£
1,349
56,404
13,220
__
70,973
_
66,187
__
66,187
_
4,786
112,417
_____
117,203		 funds
Total
2022
£
505
73,344
12,140
__
85,989
_
58,760
__
58,760
_
27,229
85,188
_____
112,417

All transactions are derived from continuing activities.

All recognised gains and losses are included in the Statement of Financial Activities

7

THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Note
2023
£
Current Assets
Debtors – other debtors
4
492
Cash at bank and in hand
119,961
_
120,453
Creditors:amounts falling
due within one year
5
(3,250)
_
Net Current Assets
Net Assets
Represented by:
Unrestricted funds		 2022
£
£
£
22,212
102,977
_
125,189
(12,772)
_
117,203
112,417
_
_
117,203
112,417
_
_
117,203
112,417
_
_
117,203
112,417

 2022
£
£
£
22,212
102,977
_
125,189
(12,772)
_
117,203
112,417
_
_
117,203
112,417
_
_
117,203
112,417
_
_
117,203
112,417
_
112,417
_
112,417

The financial statements were approved and signed on 8 April 2024 on behalf of the Board by:

J Short Trustee

8

THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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:

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

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.

9

THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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.

2

CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Annual meeting
Other meeting costs
Printing and stationery
Executive Committee
Travel awards
Subscription
Bank charges
Governance – Independent examination
Bad Debts		 2023
£
52,518
8,376
556
24
-
785
150
3,778
-
__
66,187
____		 2022
£
49,641
-
-
978
500
1510
137
3,144
2,850
__
58,760
____

3 STAFF COSTS AND TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION

There were no staff in the year (2022: nil).

None of the Trustees received any remuneration during the year (2021: Nil). During the year the charity had no related party transactions, (2022: £nil).

During the year the Trustees received reimbursed expenditure amounting to £607 (2022: £180) in relation to travel, subscriptions, subsistence, printing, postage and stationery.

4 DEBTORS

Other debtors 2023
£
492
__
492
____		 2022
£
22,212
__
22,212
____

10

THE ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICIAL GENOMIC SCIENCE FORMERLY ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL GENETIC SCIENCE

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

5
CREDITORS
Accruals
Deferred income		 2023
£
3,250
-
__
3,250
____		 2022
£
2,772
10,000
__
12,772
____

6 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

There were no related party transactions during the year (2022: None).

11