2023-08-28-accounts

Charity number: 1160351

THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

UNAUDITED

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 AUGUST 2023

THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

CONTENTS

	Page
Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers	1
Trustees' report	2 - 3
Independent examiner's report	4
Statement of financial activities	5
Balance sheet	6
Notes to the financial statements	7 - 12

THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 AUGUST 2023

Trustees Dr Mohammad Soleymani, Chair Dr Tanaya Guha Mandal Dr Marwa Mohammaed Adel Mahmoud Dr Joost Broekens Dr Mathieu Noel Jean Chollet (appointed 13 April 2023) Charity registered number 1160351 Principal office Apartment 101, Warwick Building 366 Queenstown Road London SW11 8NL Bankers HSBC UK Bank plc 31 Euston Road King Cross London NW1 2ST

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THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 AUGUST 2023

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year from 29 August 2022 to 28 August 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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), and the Charities Act 2011.

Objectives and activities

a. Policies and objectives

The objective and activity of the Charity is 'to advance the education of the public in general on the subject of affective computing and to promote research for the public benefit in all aspects of that subject and to publish the useful results in such ways as the association trustees may determine. affective computing is defined as the study and development of systems and devices that can recognise, interpret, process, and simulate human affects. The Trustees are aware that they must carry on the Charity's activities for the public benefit and that they must pay due regard to the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.

In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.

b. Strategies for achieving objectives

Membership and community building in the academic field of affective computing. Conference organisation and support: IEEE Technical co-sponsorship of the Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction conference series. Maintaining a web site and server to support AAAC activities. Supporting challenges through prizes. Supporting access to AAAC activities, including local and special topic interest groups through bursaries.

Achievements and performance

a. Review of activities

AAAC organise their conference called “International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction” annually. The 2021 conference was held virtually from 28th September to 1st October 2021. The 2022 conference followed a hybrid format in Nara, Japan from 18th - 21st October 2022, and conferences resumed fully in-person from ACII 2023 in Boston, USA from 10th - 14th September 2023. AAAC holds regular Trustee meetings 2-3 times every year and also holds an election every 2 years for the Trustee positions.

Financial review

a. Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

b. Reserves policy

The charity’s reserves policy is that there should be maintained in free reserves a minimum of 12 months' operating expenditure for core activities, plus associated costs should the charity be wound up. The balance sheet at 28 August 2023 meets this target.

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THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 AUGUST 2023

Structure, governance and management

a. Constitution

The Association for the Advancement of Affective Computing (AAAC) is a registered charity (registration number: 1160351) in the UK. AAAC is also a charity for tax purposes. The Association's objectives are to advance the education of the public in general (and particularly amongst specialists in the field) on the subject of affective computing and to promote research for the public benefit in all aspects of that subject and to publish the useful results in such ways as the Association Trustees may determine.

b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees

Trustees, except for the treasurer are elected for six-year terms by the members of the association. Trustees can stand for re-election and there is no limit on the number of terms they can serve. The treasurer is appointed by the Trustees of the association and there is not term-limit for the treasurer. Trustees attend regular meetings and participate in major decision making. Trustees elect one of their elected members as the chair (president) of the association. The induction process for any newly appointed Trustee comprises of a meeting or meetings which covers the business of the association and powers and responsibilities of Trustees.

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees 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 & 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 its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);

• make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and 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 order of the members of the board of Trustees on and signed on their behalf by:

Dr Marwa Mohammed Adel Mahmoud

Trustee Date:

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THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 AUGUST 2023

Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of The Association for the Advancement of Affective Computing ('the Charity')

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 28 August 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts 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) 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 been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019.

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 Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 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.

This report is made solely to the Charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.

Signed: Dated: Julie Stringer Chartered Accountant

PKF Smith Cooper Limited 2 Lace Market Square Nottingham NG1 1PB

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THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 AUGUST 2023

Note Income from: Charitable activities 2 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 3 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward	Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 83,086 83,086 38,986 38,986 44,100 89,746 44,100 133,846	Total funds 2023 £ 83,086 83,086 38,986 38,986 44,100 89,746 44,100 133,846	Total funds 2022 £ 24,559
			24,559
			15,254
			15,254
			9,305
			80,441 9,305
			89,746

The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 7 to 12 form part of these financial statements.

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THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 28 AUGUST 2023

			2023	2023		2022
	Note		£			£
Current assets
Debtors	6	-			13,146
Cash at bank and in hand		138,496			128,706
		138,496			141,852
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year	7	(4,650)			(52,106)
Net current assets			133,846			89,746
Total assets less current liabilities			133,846			89,746
Total net assets			133,846			89,746
Charity funds
Restricted funds	8		-			-
Unrestricted funds	8		133,846			89,746
Total funds			133,846			89,746

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on and signed on their behalf by:

Dr Mohammad Soleymani, Chair Trustee Date: 20 May 2024

The notes on pages 7 to 12 form part of these financial statements.

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THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 AUGUST 2023

1. Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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 Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The Association for the Advancement of Affective Computing meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

The financial statements are presented in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company, and rounded to the nearest £1.

1.2 Income

All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

1.3 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

1.4 Taxation

The Charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1998 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

1.5 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

1.6 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and 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.

1.7 Creditors and and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

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THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 AUGUST 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

1.8 Financial instruments

The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

1.9 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

2. Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted funds 2023 £ Membership income 2,800 Conference income 80,286 83,086 Total 2022 24,559	Total funds 2023 £ 2,800 80,286 83,086 24,559	Total funds 2022 £ 1,530 23,029
		24,559

3. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Charitable activities Total 2022	Support costs 2023 £ 38,986 15,254	Total funds 2023 £ 38,986 15,254	Total funds 2022 £ 15,254

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THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 AUGUST 2023

3. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of support costs

Administration expenses Governance costs Total 2022	Charitable activities 2023 £ 35,326 3,660 38,986 15,254	Total funds 2023 £ 35,326 3,660 38,986 15,254	Total funds 2022 £ 11,954 3,300
			15,254

Administration expenses include expenditure on annual conference costs, awards, IT costs, bank charges and accountancy services.

Governance costs include expenditure on the independent examination of accounts.

4. Independent examiner's remuneration

	2023	2022
	£	£
Fees payable to the Charity's independent examiner for the independent
examination of the Charity's annual accounts	3,660	3,300

5. Employees

The charity has no employees. The trustees receive no remuneration from the charity.

6. Debtors

Due within one year Other debtors	2023 £ - -	2022 £ 13,146
		13,146

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THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 AUGUST 2023

7. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

	2023	2022
	£	£
Accruals and deferred income	4,650	52,106

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THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 AUGUST 2023

8. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

Unrestricted funds General Funds - all funds Statement of funds - prior year Unrestricted funds General Funds - all funds	Balance at 29 August 2022 £ 89,746 Balance at 1 August 2021 £ 80,441	Income £ 83,086 Income £ 24,559	Expenditure £ (38,986) Expenditure £ (15,254)	Balance at 28 August 2023 £ 133,846
				Balance at 28 August 2022 £ 89,746

9. Summary of funds

Summary of funds - current year

General funds Summary of funds - prior year General funds	Balance at 29 August 2022 £ 89,746 Balance at 1 August 2021 £ 80,441	Income £ 83,086 Income £ 24,559	Expenditure £ (38,986) Expenditure £ (15,254)	Balance at 28 August 2023 £ 133,846
				Balance at 28 August 2022 £ 89,746

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THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFFECTIVE COMPUTING

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 AUGUST 2023

10. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Unrestricted funds 2023 £ Current assets 138,496 Creditors due within one year (4,650) Total 133,846	Total funds 2023 £ 138,496 (4,650) 133,846

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year

Current assets Creditors due within one year Total	Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 141,852 (52,106) 89,746	Total funds 2022 £ 141,852 (52,106) 89,746

11. Related party transactions

The Charity has not entered into any related party transactions during the year, nor are there any outstanding balances owing between related parties and the Charity at 28 August 2023.

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