18, December 2024 M.B. MCGRADY &Co L114HI-ER(-l)slL(()LI4TAN IS North Down & Ards Women's Aid 18 Bingham Street Bangor BT20 5DW Raihmore Hou5c, 52 Si. Patricks Avenut. Do%%￿patI1Ck. Couniy Down, BT30 6DS T. 028 44616321 Suiie 2B, Cadogan House. 322 Lisburn RoAd, Bella5t, BT9 fjGH Dear Emalyn T. 028 90316950 We have completed our audit of the financial statements of North Down & Ards Women's Aid for the financial period ended 31" March 2024. 27 FTances Sireei, Neivtthvnard5. County Doivn, BT23 7DW .1.. 028 91814557 As advised in our engagement letter dated 2nd December 2024 our audit is conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UKI/(Ireland) IISAS) which requires us to perform procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. We are also required to consider internal controls relevant to the entity's preparation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control, However, we did agree to communicate to you in writing concerning any significant deficiencies in internal control relevant to the audit of the financial statements that we have identified during the audit. Please find enclosed our report to those charged with governance. F. 028 44610778 E. inlo@mbmcgTady.co.uk IV. wisryv.mbmcgrady.to.uk ChaTLered Accouniants M.B.T. McGrady, BSC fftoio, FCA C.B. McGrady, BSSC (Acc), FCA S.A. McLcrnon. BBS FCA K.A. Rainey, BA (A(() FCA IntorpoT3ting Du￿Y & Co and Daivson & Q>. ChaTiered Accountants We have also taken the opportunity to highlight and comment on other areas and therefore we include for your consideration section B of the report containing business and internal control recommendations arising from our work. We hope that you find this report informative and useful. BusinE55 Consulianis and Rtgi5t£red Auditor5 Auihoriscd to carry on InYe5lmEni Bu5ine55 in Ihe Republic 011￿1￿nd and regulated ror a range ol Invtsimtttt Bu5in¢55 arLiiryiiesin the UIiiLed Kingdotn and ieg51ered iocaTry on audii workby the Instiiuie ofchartered AccounLqllLS In ITeland. Please note that the matters raised in this and other reports that flow from the audit are only those which have come to our attention arising from or relevant to our audit that we believe need to be brought to your attention. They are not a M B McGNdy&Co isthe irxdingnaine o1KiilimDT£ House Liiniied. a reg1￿cKed Notthtrrt Iteland CDmpJn}'. Reglsirailon NtsM￿r Nl 601538. Reglatrcd Add￿55 as ahDve tknwiipairickvffice. comprehensive record of all the matters arising, and in particular we cannot be held responsible for reporting all risks in your business or all internal control weaknesses. This report has been prepared solely for your use and should not be quoted in whole or in part without our prior written consent. No responsibility to any third party is accepted as the report has not been prepared for, and is not intended for, any other purpose. We are grateful to all the management and staff of North Down & Ards Women's Aid and Baxterworld for the co-operation we received during our work, which is an important element in achieving our objective of an economical and effective audit. If you have any queries relating to the matters raised in this letter, please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours sincerely For and on behalf of MB McGrady & Co NORTH DOWN & ARDS WOMEN'S AID Year Ended 31" March 2024 REPORT TO THOSE CHARGED WITH GOVERNANCE Section A: Detailed below for your consideration are a number of si nificant internal control and other observations and recommendations which require your immediate attention. Observatlon Recommendation Management response Slgnlflcant Deflclencles in Internal Control- require immedlate attentlon None noted Other significant matters noted during the audlt- requlre Immediate attentlon None noted Section B: Detailed below for your consideration are a number of other internal control and observations and recommendations designed to strengthen business control and improve operating efficiency. 'Ob'servation' Récointnendatio Management's response:" Statils of Prior Perlod Recommendatlons See below. Internal Control Weaknesses staff Expenses are not reviewed or authorised by the Board. The absence of a Finance Manager means that a Separate review or authorlsatlon by management is not occurring. However, it is normal best practice for the Trustees Inormally the Treasurer) to perform random or occasional checks on staff expense c13ims to ensure claims are appropriate and to reduce the risk of fraud. Credit card Statements are not reviewed by Trustees. Petty cash 15 not subject to randomised spot checks. Flnancial Reportlng Issues A legacy bank account with AIB has been Identified. We Identified this account during the 2022-23 and it is still open although we have not been provided a bank Observation. , Recominendation:":. Management's response: statement to confirm the closing balance (deemed to be £0.98). Unattended accounts present a fraud risk and we again recommend NDAWA close thls account at first opportunity. Unexpetted Issues that affected the Statutory Audit Process None noted Uncorrected Misstatements or Errors noted durlng the audit Total of uncorrected mi55tatements totals £1,536 whlch Is wholly immaterial. None Regulatory or Legal Issues noted during the audlt- Independent legal advice may be required to be obtalned none noted Other Matters NDAWA have been unable to recruit a Finance Manager Whilst a temporary solution has been implemented luslng Baxterworld bookkeeping services for the rest of the 24-25 financial vearl, we reiterate the importance of a Finance Manager to ensure appropriate Segregation of d(Jties in finance processes, including reviews and authorisatlons. To date, new trustees have not completed any specific governance training. We recommend that all trustees (but particularly those who are serving on their first Boardl undertake appropriate training on the roles and responsibllitles of Those Charged With Governance of a charity.