**Charity Registration No. RC000869** **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** **ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023** **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** ## **Council** |**Council**|| |---|---| ||President - Professor Tim Thompson| ||Immediate Past President - Dr Sheila Willis| ||Vice President - Dr Robert Green| ||Honorary Secretary - Mr Adam S Long| ||Honorary Treasurer - Mrs Sue Carney-Gannon| ||Honorary Editor - Dr Rachel Bolton-King| ||Honorary Chair of Professional Standards - Mrs Helen Davies| ||Ordinary Council Member - Mr David Hancock| ||Ordinary Council Member - Dr Samantha Pickles| ||Ordinary Council Member - Dr Felicity Carlysle-Davies| |**Charity number**|RC000869| |**Independent examiner**|TC Group| ||6 Queen Street| ||Leeds| ||West Yorkshire| ||LS1 2TW| |**Bankers**|LLoyds TSB| ||8 Cambridge Crescent| ||Harrogate| ||HG1 1PE| ||Barclays Bank| ||25 James Street| ||Harrogate| ||HG1 1QX| ||HSBC Bank| ||7 Prospect Crescent| ||Harrogate| ||HG1 1RN| |**Investment advisors**|Quilter Cheviot Asset Management Limited| ||5 St Paul's Square| ||Liverpool| ||L3 9SJ| **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **CONTENTS** ||**Page**| |---|---| |CEO's statement & report|1 - 2| |Report on activities|3 - 5| |Trustees' report|6 - 7| |Statement of Trustees' responsibilities|8| |Independent examiner's report|9 - 10| |Statement of financial activities|11| |Balance sheet|12| |Notes to the financial statements|13 - 20| **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **CEO'S REPORT** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ The year from April 2022 to March 2023 has seen many successes and progress in the workings of the Society. In June, we moved to a new location at Windsor House in Harrogate. This new arrangement saves money and was a definite upgrade from our previous home - the new environment is more fitting with the professional image of the work we do. Please come and see us if ever in Harrogate, there’s a fantastic Palm Court café that serves very nice coffees! During the year, some familiar faces left the Society, David Bellamy and April Robson. We wish them well and thank them for their service to members. Vanessa Swales joined us last year, and has settled in extremely well, overseeing the Competency Assessments for CSIs and Collision Investigators. These changes have been an opportune time to review the operations of the Competency work and develop a more streamlined service, which is proving popular with Forces and ensures cost efficiency – this was an important move for the Society as we will need to be flexible and adaptable as more forces engage with UKAS, potentially changing assessment needs in the future. With Council approval, we appointed new Accountants TC Group from Leeds, who are now familiar with the financial aspects of The Society and have delivered the Annual Accounts. We now operate to an Annual Budget which is communicated to all staff and agreed by Council and allows us to assess all spending decisions and track performance. Operationally, we had a successful year in 22/23 although like many we suffered a hit on the investments due to the nature of the global economy. We are working hard to reduce costs and the fruits of this will be seen in the current year’s trading, and we are also working with our investment managers to keep a watching brief on how they perform to ensure optimum possible results. In a time of difficulties for us all in the economy, I am delighted that membership levels have stayed buoyant. This is the key focus of the work we do – continuing to support members will grow the influence and attract new members. We always have a strong programme of events, including a successful Conference last year and a Digital event in Manchester, and regular webinars. These showcase scientific work and updates on current issues and are part of the member offering. We have also introduced a new discount for Expert Witness training with Bond Solon. I am always looking for new member benefits – so drop me a line if there is anything you think we can help with. The EQS programme goes from strength to strength, with a busy schedule through 2022 to 2023. Working with the Honorary Chair of Professional Standards, this continues to be popular with universities and delivers independent assessment of courses – the next year will see a very busy programme! To ensure we meet these needs we have redesigned the international offering to become the CSFS International Certificate of Education. This distinguishes the product and process from UK and EU based work and becomes more efficient in terms of resources. Our journal, Science & Justice has had a very successful year and contributes to the Society’s profile and influence. My thanks to the editorial team for their unstinting work to maintain the quality that we offer to the forensic landscape. We have ramped up the policy work as we move toward Regulation, the biggest change in the forensics environment for many years. All organisations that carry out a Forensic Science Activity (or FSA) will need to gain Accreditation under the Code. We have a strong relationship with key stakeholders, notably the Forensic Science Regulator and his office team, UKAS, the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice, FCN, and Police leadership. The Society is working with all of these to progress the views of members on aspects such as Regulation, Accreditation and Risk categorisation models. The ForSciTE Quality Management System is designed for SMEs and sole traders, to assist them through their journey. The voice of members really matters in this area – so please let us know your views via the consultations or events and it’s worth keeping an eye on the website for our guides and information on this. Please drop me a line if you have any specific queries. - 1 - ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **CEO'S REPORT** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ Early in 2023, we saw the foundations laid for the new network for those members that are studying Forensics, or who have just started their careers. Volunteers formed a committee over the subsequent months and chose the name of Emerging Forensic Network, or EFN for short. They will hold webinars and are focused on supporting this community with events and information to promote successful careers in the world of forensic science. This network is an ongoing development and ensures that we stay relevant to this generation’s needs, and I am very pleased that members of the network may be with us at the AGM – please ask them about EFN when you are networking! In my first full year I have been overwhelmed by the support from Presidents Sheila Willis and Tim Thompson, Council and members that have been kind enough to take time to share their concerns and wisdom with me. The team here have also been incredibly dedicated and committed – a big thank you to everyone that continues to contribute to making the Society a success. I look forward to meeting you all today and discussing how we can continue to work together to benefit members. **Darrell Matthews** ## **Chief Executive Officer** Dated: ....19[th] October 2023..................... - 2 - ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **REPORT ON ACTIVITIES** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ ## **Awards** ## **PW Allen Award** The PW Allen Award is for the best paper published in Science & Justice. ‘ _What does a digital forensics opinion look like? A comparative study of digital forensics and forensic science reporting practices.’_ Author: **Nina Sunde** Volume 61, Issue 5, September 2021 ## **Research Grant** The Research Grant is open to Members (professional) and Fellows of the Society to support research projects in forensic science, criminal justice, forensic science policy and/or practice, forensic medicine or crime investigation based on scientific methods. ‘ _Alternative carrier solvents and methods for the development of latent fingermarks.’_ **Dr Kevin Farrugia** De Montfort University ## **Travel Bursary** The Travel Bursary is awarded to support CSFS members to present their research at relevant conferences. ‘ _Human Identification: An investigation of 3D models of paranasal sinuses to establish a biological profile on a modern UK population.’_ **Dr Madeline Robles** at the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) 25th International Symposium on Forensic Science 2022 ## **Autumn Conference Bursary** The Autumn Conference Bursary is for the best paper submitted for the Autumn conference. ‘ _The Correlation of Distance and Damage in a Ballistic Setting and The Application of Machine Learning Algorithms.’_ **Nathan Brooke** Canterbury Christchurch University ## **Educational Accreditation & Recognition Scheme 2022-2023** ## **(1 April 2022 until 31 March 2023)** Universities which received Full Accreditation: ## **De Montfort University** Year Zero Laboratory Science (integrated with Forensic Science) BSc (Hons) Forensic Science with Placement Year ## **Liverpool John Moores University** BSc (Hons) Forensic Anthropology (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons) Forensic Anthropology (with Placement Year) ## **Nottingham Trent University** BSc (Hons) Forensic Science (Sandwich) ## **Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest** BSc (Hons) Forensic and Pharmaceutical Science - 3 - **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ ## **REPORT ON ACTIVITIES** ## **University of Kent** BSc (Hons) Forensic Science with a year in Television and Online Broadcasting MSci Forensic Science with a year in Television and Online Broadcasting ## **University of Wolverhampton** BSc (Hons) Forensic Science with Sandwich Placement BSc (Hons) Forensic Science with Foundation Year Universities which received Full Accreditation renewal: ## **Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences** BSc (Hons) Forensic Science (Forensich Onderzeok) ## **Anglia Ruskin University** BSc (Hons) Forensic Science BSc (Hons) Forensic Science (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons) Forensic Science (Sandwich) MSc Forensic Science BSc (Hons) Crime and Investigative Studies (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons) Crime and Investigative Studies BSc (Hons) Crime and Investigative Studies (Sandwich Thick) MSc Forensic Science ## **Cranfield University** MSc Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology MSc Forensic Ballistics MSc Forensic Explosive and Explosion Investigation MSc Forensic Investigation MSc Forensic Engineering and Science ## **King's College London** MSc Forensic Science MRes Forensic Science ## **University of Central Lancashire** BSc (Hons) Forensic Science BSc (Hons) Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation MSci Forensic Science and Molecular Biology MSci Forensic Science and Chemical Analysis MSc Forensic Science MSc DNA Profiling ## **University of the West of England** BSc (Hons) Forensic Science BSc (Hons) Forensic Science with Foundation Year MSci Forensic Science MSci Forensic Science with Foundation Year MSc Forensic Science - 4 - ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **REPORT ON ACTIVITIES** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ ## **2022-2023 Conference Programme (1 April 2022 until 31 March 2023)** CSFS Autumn Conference 2022 – ‘Back to Business’ Leeds 4th November 2022 CSFS Student Conference – ‘International Perspectives in Forensic Science’ Online 7th December 2022 CSFS Wednesday Webinar Series Nimbus case & quality management system Nikki Moscrop, Black Rainbow 20th April 2022 Understanding and improving forensic science through its fundamental principles – The example of the Sydney Declaration Professor Claude Roux, University of Technology Sydney 22nd June 2022 Developing aptasensors for the detection of body fluids Dr James Gooch, King’s College London 17th August 2022 Death Investigation Gareth Dineen, Kent Police 22nd February 2023 DNA transfer: can we answer the question? Nathalie Hicks Champod, University of Lausanne 15th March 2023 - 5 - ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ The Society's Council of Trustees (Council) present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Society's [governing document], 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". ## **Objectives and activities** The Society's objects are to advance the study application and standing of forensic science and to facilitate cooperation among persons interested in forensic science throughout the world. The policies adopted in furtherance of these objects are given in the Trustees’ report and there has been no change in these during the year. Council have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Society should undertake. ## **Achievements and performance** ## **Financial review** The statement of Financial Activities shows a deficit for the year of £11,439 and reserves at the end of the year of £587,098. The reserves of the Society are held in an unrestricted fund and at the end of the year £12,687 of the total is represented by tangible fixed assets. The balance of £574,411 could be converted into liquid funds within one month and Council therefore consider that there are currently sufficient resources available to allow the ongoing activities to continue in the event of a significant shortfall in budgeted income. Council has assessed the major risks to which the Society is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. The Society maintains and regularly updates a risk register. Reports are presented to each meeting of Council where discussion of risks and subsequent mitigation actions on any risks is agreed. The Society maintains insurance against identifiable and insurable losses of income and assets. This cover is reviewed annually. ## **Structure, governance, and management** The Society is a registered charity (Registration number 1156052) and operates in accordance with its Constitution. - 6 - ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ Council who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: President - Professor Tim Thompson Immediate Past President - Dr Sheila Willis Vice President - Dr Robert Green Honorary Secretary - Mr Adam S Long Honorary Treasurer - Mrs Sue Carney-Gannon Honorary Editor - Dr Rachel Bolton-King Honorary Chair of Professional Standards - Mrs Helen Davies Ordinary Council Member - Mr David Hancock Ordinary Council Member - Dr Samantha Pickles Ordinary Council Member - Dr Felicity Carlysle-Davies A maximum of ten serving Members of Council also act as Trustees of the Society. Council is at liberty to co-opt a further three advisors if required for the conduct of Society business. Elections to replace retiring Council Members and ratify mid-term appointments take place immediately prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and are announced at that meeting held in November each year. New Trustees on Council are mentored by current serving Trustees and are provided with information on the legal responsibilities of Trusteeship, and information from the Charity commission as general guidance. Sub-committees are made up of members of Council. They meet as required for the conduct of the Society business and all acts and proceedings are fully and promptly reported to Council. All members of Council and sub-committees give their time voluntarily. Responsibility for investment policy resides with Council and, as Trustees of the Society, it has the power to invest such assets as it sees fit. The Trustees have instructed the Society's investment managers to continue to adopt a cautious risk profile in order to protect the investments held. The Trustees' report was approved by the Honorary Secretary on behalf of Council. ## **Adam S Long** Honorary Secretary Dated: ...19[th] October 2023 ............ - 7 - ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ Council are responsible for preparing the Trustees' 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 and Wales requires Council to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Society and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the Society for that year. In preparing these financial statements, Council are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent - state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. Council are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Society 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 Society and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Council are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the Society's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. - 8 - ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT** ## **TO THE COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** I report to the Council on my examination of the financial statements of The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (the Society) for the year ended 31 March 2023. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the Council of the Society, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). I report in respect of my examination of the Society’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. ## **Independent examiner's statement** Since the Society’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of which is one of the listed bodies. Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: - 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Society as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act: or - 2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or 3 the financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached. - 9 - ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT (CONTINUED)** ## **TO THE COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **Peter Hart FCA** TC Group 6 Queen Street Leeds West Yorkshire LS1 2TW Dated: ....18[th] October 2023......... - 10 - ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ |||**Unrestricted**|Unrestricted| |---|---|---|---| |||**funds**|funds| |||**2023**|2022| ||**Notes**|**£**|**£**| |**Income from:**|||| |Income from charitable activities|**3**|543,949|587,550| |Investments|**4**|1,763|314| |**Total income**||545,712|587,864| |**Expenditure on:**|||| |Expenditure from charitable activities|**5**|529,788|553,072| |Net gains/(losses) on investments|**9**|(27,363)|9,561| |**Net movement in funds**||(11,439)|44,353| |Fund balances at 1 April 2022||598,537|554,184| |**Fund balances at 31 March 2023**||587,098|598,537| The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. - 11 - ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **BALANCE SHEET** ## _**AS AT 31 MARCH 2023**_ |**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
**10**
Investments
**11**
**Current assets**
Debtors
**13**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: amounts falling due within**
**one year**
**14**
Net current assets
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Income funds**
Unrestricted funds|**2023**
**£**
149,545
134,733
284,278
(6,771)|**£**
12,687
296,904
309,591
277,507
587,098
587,098
587,098|**2022**
**£**
95,688
176,674
272,362
(9,155)|**£**
12,826
322,504| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||335,330
263,207| |||||598,537| |||||598,537| |||||598,537| The financial statements were approved by the Honorary Secretary on behalf of the Trustees and signed on 19[th] October 2023. **Adam S Long Honorary Secretary** - 12 - **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## **1 Accounting policies** ## **1.1 Accounting convention** The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Society's governing document, 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The Society is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. The Society has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows. The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, which is referred to in the Regulations, but which has since been withdrawn. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Society. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. ## **1.2 Going concern** At the time of approving the financial statements, the Council have a reasonable expectation that the Society has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the Council continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. ## **1.3 Charitable funds** Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Council in furtherance of their charitable objectives. Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements. Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the Society. ## **1.4 Income** Income is recognised when the Society is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received. Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Society has been notified of the donation unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. - 13 - **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ ## **1 Accounting policies** **(Continued)** Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the Society has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset. ## **1.5 Expenditure** Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and other support. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the Society and its compliance with regulation and good practice. Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of the resources eg. staff costs by time spent, refer to note 6. ## **1.6 Tangible fixed assets** Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases: Fixtures and fittings 20 - 50% reducing balance The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. ## **1.7 Fixed asset investments** Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred. ## **1.8 Impairment of fixed assets** At each reporting end date, the Society reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). ## **1.9 Cash and cash equivalents** Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. - 14 - ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ ## **1 Accounting policies** **(Continued)** ## **1.10 Financial instruments** The Society has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the Society's balance sheet when the Society becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. ## _**Basic financial assets**_ Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised. ## _**Basic financial liabilities**_ Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. ## _**Derecognition of financial liabilities**_ Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Society’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled. ## **1.11 Employee benefits** The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received. Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Society is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits. ## **1.12 Retirement benefits** Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due. - 15 - _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements** In the application of the Society’s accounting policies, the Council are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. ## **3 Income from charitable activities** |Membership subscriptions
Educational activities
Research and development
Other income|**2023**
**£**
187,240
250,616
105,554
539
543,949|**2022**
**£**
182,468
320,299
84,012
771| |---|---|---| |||587,550| ## **4 Investments** ||**Unrestricted**|Unrestricted| |---|---|---| ||**funds**|funds| ||**2023**|2022| ||**£**|£| |Dividends and interest on listed investments|4,796|3,527| |Investment management costs|(3,033)|(3,213)| ||1,763|314| - 16 - ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ ## **5 Expenditure from charitable activities** |Membership subscriptions
Educational activities
Research and development
**Support costs**
Staff costs
Depreciation, repairs and
maintenance
Other administration
expenses
Accountancy and
independent
examination
Consultancy and other
professional fees
Council and committee
expenses
Analysed between
Membership
subscriptions
Educational activities|**Support**
**costs**
**Governance**
**costs**
**£**
**£**
267,805
-
35,936
-
20,971
-
-
2,580
-
6,920
-
10,057
324,712
19,557
16,277
-
308,435
19,557
324,712
19,557|**2023**
**£**
16,434
494,414
18,940
529,788
529,788
**2023**Support costs Governance
costs
**£**
£
£
267,805
276,870
-
35,936
45,363
-
20,971
19,332
-
2,580
-
2,580
6,920
-
3,343
10,057
-
7,090
344,269
341,565
13,013
16,277
44,380
-
327,992
297,185
13,013
344,269
341,565
13,013|**2022**
**£**
31,836
508,955
12,281| |---|---|---|---| ||||553,072| ||||553,072| ||||2022
£
276,870
45,363
19,332
2,580
3,343
7,090| ||||354,578| ||||44,380
310,198| ||||354,578| ## **6 Support costs** - 17 - **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## **7 Council** During the year a total of £1,123 (2022 - £1,400) was paid for work carried out by assessor to Council Trustees. ## **8 Employees** The average monthly number of employees during the year was: |||**2023**|**2022**| |---|---|---|---| |||**Number**|**Number**| ||Cost of charitable activities|5|5| ||Governance costs|1|1| ||Total|6|6| ||**Employment costs**|**2023**|**2022**| |||**£**|**£**| ||Wages and salaries|230,492|237,508| ||Social security costs|18,874|19,991| ||Other pension costs|18,439|19,371| |||267,805|276,870| ||The number of employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more||| ||were:||| |||**2023**|**2022**| |||**Number**|**Number**| ||£60,000-£69,999|1|-| |**9**|**Net gains/(losses) on investments**||| |||**Unrestricted**|Unrestricted| |||**funds**|funds| |||**2023**|2022| |||**£**|£| ||Revaluation of investments|(27,363)|9,561| - 18 - ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ ## **10 Tangible fixed assets** |**10**|**Tangible fixed assets**|| |---|---|---| |||**Fixtures and fittings**| |||**£**| ||**Cost**|| ||At 1 April 2022|79,215| ||Additions|3,861| ||At 31 March 2023|83,076| ||**Depreciation and impairment**|| ||At 1 April 2022|66,389| ||Depreciation charged in the year|4,000| ||At 31 March 2023|70,389| ||**Carrying amount**|| ||At 31 March 2023|12,687| ||At 31 March 2022|12,826| |**11**|**Fixed asset investments**|| |||**Listed**| |||**investments**| |||**£**| ||**Cost or valuation**|| ||At 1 April 2022|322,504| ||Additions|1,763| ||Net investment gains losses|(27,363)| ||At 31 March 2023|296,904| ||**Carrying amount**|| ||At 31 March 2023|296,904| ||At 31 March 2022|322,504| Any investments are guided by current market conditions which have obviously been more changeable in the present financial climate, however this is a longer term investment and as such the value will naturally go up and down as the market dictates. The Society reviews the investment portfolio and its management regularly. - 19 - ## **THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**_ |**12**
**Financial instruments**
**Carrying amount of financial assets**
Instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss
**13**
**Debtors**
**Amounts falling due within one year:**
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
**14**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income|**2023**
**£**
296,904
**2023**
**£**
4,829
140,494
4,222
149,545
**2023**
**£**
2,016
4,755
6,771|**2022**
**£**
322,504| |---|---|---| |||**2022**
**£**
4,514
82,000
9,174| |||95,688| |||**2022**
**£**
3,148
6,007| |||9,155| ## **15 Related party transactions** There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2022 - none). ## **16 Trustees’ expenses** During the year the Trustees received no income (2022 - £nil). Trustees are paid expenses for attending meetings and for carrying out required duties as a trustee. During the year travel and subsistence expenses paid to 10 trustees totaled £1,894 (2022 - £1,018). - 20 -