Finance report for Stow ODS 1[st] June 2024 to 31[st] May 2025
Pleased to present the accounts for the year to you. These have been verified by Mark Orin, chartered accountant, he has prepared them to the format in front of you.
This is the third year of using our new finance software and as such it has helped me easily see emerging patterns of our spending and income and prepare a more detailed historic comparison report to go alongside the figures in front of you.
As our accounting year is June to May, the rotation of the type of productions that we produce over our 2 year strategic plan results in a bi annually weighted year. One accounting year consisting of a Play, Panto, Play followed by the second year of Musical, Panto, Musical. The costs associated with a bigger production like a musical result in year 2 having higher costs than year 1 even though income remains reasonably consistent. It is therefore prudent that in year 1 the income is put aside to prepare for year 2 allowing the Directors more freedom to bring new innovation to the bigger shows, whether this be in lighting, sound, design or even musicians and cast. This will partially explain the higher profit shown this year as it was a Play Panto Play year. However |I would add that the committee does not restrict the directors in year 1 it is just that a play does not incur the higher cost items. The new finance package allows me to produce a detailed budget for each show based on previous costs and the committee agrees this before passing to the director.
Therefore, Whilst looking at this year’s Production Income figures I would like to compare with the previous year 1 being 2023. I am happy to look at last year too but please remember 2024 was a double musical year.
So Ticket sales have increased £5500, part due to sell out panto but better news is that I have finally resolved the Vat on tickets sales issue with the Theatre. This has saved us over both Panto and Calendar Girls.
Programme sales are down due to those sold at Calendar Girls being part of the donation we made to Cancer Research. So this figure only reflect two shows.
No additional adverts were paid for this year and the committee have revisited this aspect and the overall look of our programmes.
Income from Little SODS as a whole was up on the previous year (24)
Script sales higher, possibly due to more cast and having to charged for copied panto scripts as we can no longer get mass free printing.
Acting fees, the difference relates to 45 adults which can only be cast numbers.
Back to comparing 25 to 24 : Membership fees are slightly down – the equivalent of 9 adults, Juniors again down, this is mainly in the younger group. Raffle has remained constant and this year with have had the added fund raising from the Centanary Book. No T Shirts this year.
Donations from Hire of costumes are down but Paul did sell some old lights for us.
Interest on the main account is on par but I would draw your attention to the N S & I account which, due to us being unable to get access to in the previous year we were unable to show any interest being added. This is now rectified hance £105 relates to 2 years.
With regard to Production costs, again please look at production costs comparing 2025 to 2023:
Programmes I have been able to be more accurate with numbers printed, going by ticket sales and past trends, hence less wastage and fewer printed.
Cost of publicity has reduced as we do more free online and social media. Costumes we clearly utilized more of our won wardrobe,
Set Lighting and equipment – also includes sound which we have begun to use mics more widely.
Hall and theatre hire reflects the increase to 10 performances for the Panto plus a general cost of living increase in the hall costs. The only other thing to note is the reduction in the cost of rehearsal pianist which reflects the move to backing tracks for Panto. As an example of the Bi annual Production pattern, if you compare 25 to 24 on the Orchestral line you will see the difference 2 musicals with full band makes over a year.
All other general expenses are on par with previous years. This is last year of the bigger increase in Barn rent and it will now be review annually with only a small percentage each year.
Finally if I can draw your attention to the Balance sheet.
The committee authorized me to move £20k from our working account to our business account to get some interest on otherwise stagnant money. This will also form the basis of our critical reserves plan which the committee I will be looking at this year.
So the Balance sheet shows a £16k profit but this will be used for the Yr 2 consisting of 2 musicals and a Panto.
Additionally the committee have committed to further support the Junior SODS, allowing them to experience the production of professional shows – teen versions and the royalty costs associated with them.
Continuing our commitment to our charity aims, the committee made the decision to work with other local groups and our production of Calendar girls saw the funds from the programms and what would have been the raffle be donated to the local Cancer Research. For Sleeping Beauty we invited 150 local Squirrels, Beavers, cubs and Scouts to our dress rehearsal for a nominal fee allowing many who would not have been able to experience pantomime to see it up close and live.
I have given you the balance sheets of the individual shows but I don’t intend to go through these line by line. If anyone has any questions I am happy to take them.
Blithe Spirit
Sleeping Beauty
Calendar Girls
No other questions I would like to present these accounts as an accurate reflection of the year 24 25 and the work the group has done bringing theatre and Arts to the local area.
Signed ……………………………………………………………………………….
Sue Ogden treasurer 8[th] September 2025
Page 3
STOWMARKET OPERATIC & DRAMATIC SOCIETY
ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
| RECEIPTS Production Income Ticket sales Programme sales Other sales Programme advertising Little SODS youth group Script sales Acting fees Subscriptions and Donations Subscriptions Junior subscriptions General donations Fund Raising Raffle Book sales T shirt sales Other fund raising and social events Trading Income Costumes Equipment sold Equipment hire Receipts from Assets HSBC business account interest NS&I investment account interest TOTAL RECEIPTS |
£ £ £ £ 47,540.01 50,119.00 612.00 1,071.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 20.00 2,520.99 1,792.30 139.94 20.00 680.00 1,380.00 51,492.94 54,402.90 3,488.00 3,196.80 1,343.00 1,536.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 5,831.00 5,732.80 1,586.40 1,538.50 320.00 0.00 0.00 924.30 0.00 818.20 1,906.40 3,281.00 765.00 1,080.18 95.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 860.00 1,080.18 300.17 260.65 105.32 0.00 405.49 260.65 60,495.83 64,757.53 2025 2024 |
|---|---|
Page 4
STOWMARKET OPERATIC & DRAMATIC SOCIETY
ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
| PAYMENTS Production Expenditure Programme printing Publicity Costumes and make up Set and décor Lighting and equipment Hall and theatre hire Royalties Books and scripts Orchestra & rehearsal pianists Miscellaneous expenses Trading Costs Premises rent Property maintenance Purchase of equipment and materials Heat, light and water NODA subscription Miscellaneous expenses Management and Administration Bank charges Insurance Committee members expenses Little SODS Postage and stationery Fund Raising Costs Social event expenses T shirt purchases other expenses TOTAL PAYMENTS |
£ £ £ £ 566.40 450.00 1,258.60 2,692.60 1,585.86 2,438.80 2,394.89 3,934.18 5,982.26 9,473.05 18,016.80 17,332.23 2,731.07 6,389.06 19.54 171.85 97.88 5,515.25 41.31 20.30 32,694.61 48,417.32 7,580.00 7,128.00 297.77 244.86 54.71 3,150.00 1,023.30 1,166.93 260.00 245.00 405.66 385.40 9,621.44 12,320.19 88.57 72.78 1,176.50 1,091.90 228.00 307.99 40.00 100.00 50.24 57.37 1,583.31 1,630.04 647.45 713.93 0.00 936.91 0.00 0.00 647.45 1,650.84 44,546.81 64,018.39 2025 2024 |
£ £ £ £ 566.40 450.00 1,258.60 2,692.60 1,585.86 2,438.80 2,394.89 3,934.18 5,982.26 9,473.05 18,016.80 17,332.23 2,731.07 6,389.06 19.54 171.85 97.88 5,515.25 41.31 20.30 32,694.61 48,417.32 7,580.00 7,128.00 297.77 244.86 54.71 3,150.00 1,023.30 1,166.93 260.00 245.00 405.66 385.40 9,621.44 12,320.19 88.57 72.78 1,176.50 1,091.90 228.00 307.99 40.00 100.00 50.24 57.37 1,583.31 1,630.04 647.45 713.93 0.00 936.91 0.00 0.00 647.45 1,650.84 44,546.81 64,018.39 2025 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 64,018.39 |
Page 5
STOWMARKET OPERATIC & DRAMATIC SOCIETY
ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
| BALANCE SHEET Current Assets Scenery store deposit HSBC current account HSBC business account NS&I investment account Show expenses in advance Income in advance Represented By: Balance of funds brought forward Net payments/receipts for the year Balance of funds carried forward |
2025 £ 440.00 48,333.17 35,684.16 6,008.11 1,578.80 0.00 92,044.24 76,095.22 15,949.02 92,044.24 |
2024 £ 440.00 53,812.44 15,383.99 5,902.79 696.00 -140.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 76,095.22 | ||
| 75,356.08 739.14 |
||
| 76,095.22 |
Stowmarket Operatic & Dramatic Society
Page 2
Independent Examiner’s Report
Year ended 31 May 2025
We report on the accounts of the Society for the year ended 31 May 2025, which are set out on pages 3 to 5.
Respective Responsibilities of Members of the Management Committee and Examiner
As the charity’s general committee you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of section 43 (2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply. It is our responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43(7) (b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
(1) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have not been met; or
(2) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mark Orrin Independent examiner Stowtax Limited Chartered Accountants 5 Poplar Hill Stowmarket IP14 2AS
Dated 4 September 2025