Knowledge Hub

The Failure to Prevent Fraud Offence (introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023) introduces new regulatory expectations around fraud and the “failure to prevent fraud” offence offers charities an opportunity to strengthen governance, build confidence at board level, and protect the organisation’s mission.

We appear to be at yet another political inflection point and it remains unclear what direction the country is heading in. Even so, there are a few specific updates worth recapping.

Related party transactions are not new, but under SORP 2026, they have become a litmus test of governance and trust. Recent Charity Commission investigations show what is at stake when relationships go undisclosed and conflicts go unmanaged.

Chief Finance Officer at the For Baby's Sake Trust, trustee for The Children's University Trust and CFG member, Owen Day, is looking to launch a new Special Interest Group for finance trustees. Here, Owen outlines his vision for other members.

This is the second of two articles featuring responses from RSM to questions posed in a recent webinar on the new SORP which also featured CFG's Head of Policy, Richard Sagar. Here you'll find answers to questions on the tiered reporting framework, lease accounting and more.

RSM recently held a webinar, alongside CFG’s Head of Policy, Richard Sagar, covering changes in the new SORP. As you might imagine, there were lots of questions from attendees about what the new SORP means in practice, from income recognition and tiered reporting to new requirements about leases. This two-part article includes RSM’s detailed responses to those questions, and offers practical insight to help your organisation get ready for the changes.

In this article from Janice Matthews at Menzies, she outlines how, despite repeated regulatory focus, reserves remain one of the most misunderstood areas of charity finance. Treating them as a compliance exercise rather than a strategic tool continues to expose organisations to unnecessary risk. 

Here, CFG's Policy Officer, Isaac Bristol, looks at some policy wins, important conversations between the sector and Government, and further ahead to the potentially paradigmatic May elections.

Cyber disruption, financial uncertainty and evolving governance expectations are reshaping the risk landscape in 2026. While these developments present real challenges, they also offer opportunities for charities to strengthen resilience, improve governance and innovate in how they deliver impact.

With rising demand, resource pressures and a rapidly changing funding environment, many charities are exploring whether collaboration or merger could strengthen their resilience and impact. This article from Hugo Walford and Jean Tsang at Bates Wells, sets out key considerations for charities contemplating collaboration or merger, along with top tips and common pitfalls to avoid.

The revised Charities SORP, which now applies to accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2026, represents a shift in expectations. It is not simply about compliance, but about improving the quality, clarity and usefulness of charity reporting. 

Following the new VAT rules which have recently come into effect regarding donated goods, another positive policy exemption for charities has now been introduced.