Governance, regulation and compliance

Finance Focus November/December 2021
10 December 2021
This month, we take a look at CRM solutions, data and fundraising and employer branding. We also explore what organisations are doing to ensure employee wellbeing.

Finance Focus October 2021
29 October 2021
This month, we consider reputational risk and what it means to charity finance leaders, and we share some of the stories of organisational change from this year's Annual Conference. We ...

Finance Focus July 2021
29 July 2021
Inclusivity - why does it matter to finance professionals? We speak to charity leaders this month about equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI). We also meet a small member charity - Jodie ...

POLICY: Response to the BEIS consultation on restoring trust, July 2021
13 July 2021
Charity Finance Group's response to the government's white paper and consultation on 'Restoring Trust in Audit and Corporate Governance'.

Finance Focus May 2021
28 May 2021
Responsible investment is the focus of this month's edition. Our corporate partners share their advice and insights on how to invest responsibly and ethically. We also hear from Rachel Hewitt ...

Finance Focus April 2021
30 April 2021
Welcome to the April 2021 edition of Finance Focus. This month we take a look at mental health and wellbeing in the run up to Mental Health Awareness Week in ...

Finance Focus January 2021
29 January 2021
Welcome to the latest edition of Finance Focus! In this issue, we take a look at the subject of Risk and new ways to recognise and manage it. Plus, we ...

Finance Focus November/December 2020
4 December 2020
Welcome to the latest edition of Finance Focus! In this issue, we ask charities and CFG's trustees about what they've learned in 2020 and what lays ahead. Topics also covered ...

Welcome to IFR4NPO
7 October 2020

Finance Focus September
22 September 2020
Let's raise our voice to raise Gift Aid!

Finance Focus August
18 August 2020

Rethinking the future

Finance Focus July
17 July 2020
As Caron Bradshaw celebrates a decade at the helm, we ask what next for CFG?

How to guide: Covid 19 Charities SORP Committee Guidance
3 June 2020

Charities and insolvency
8 April 2020

Finance Focus July 2019
15 July 2019
 Are your accounts transparent enough? Learn from the SORP governance review

CFG Annual Handbook 2019
19 June 2019
The aim of The Pink Book is to provide you and your wider colleagues, trustees and stakeholders with the resources, support and assistance to drive social change. Read it, pass ...

Annual Report 2017-18: Empowering Your People
21 December 2018
Download a full PDF version of our 2017-18 Annual Report

Finance Focus May 2018
24 May 2018

Essential Charity Finance for Trustees Guide
28 March 2018
Charity Finance Group (CFG), sponsored by MHA MacIntyre Hudson, have launched a new guide for trustees on their financial responsibilities. The guide is aimed to be a primer for new ...

Trustee Survey Report
13 November 2017
MHA MacIntyre Hudson and Charity Finance Group (CFG) have launched a report on the effectiveness of trustees on financial governance. This report is based on a survey of over 120 ...

Annual Report 2016-17
31 March 2017
Download a full PDF version of our 2016-17 Annual Report 

Annual Report 2015-16
31 March 2016

Rethinking Risk: Beyond the tick box
1 March 2016
Published in partnership with Sayer Vincent, this guide for charities aims to help them to effectively manage project, operational and strategic risks. It contains practical steps to follow, case studies ...

Employment Status 2016
1 March 2016
Produced in partnership with Hempsons, this guide explains the fundamental principles behind employment status, the employment relationship, and the issues you should consider when dealing with employees. The guide is ...

Risk Guide - Major Incidents
3 March 2015
Risk Guide - Major Incidents

Risk Guide - Reputation Risks
3 March 2015
Risk Guide - Reputation Risks

Risk Guide - Emerging Risks
3 March 2015
Risk Guide - Emerging Risks

Risk management for charities
27 January 2015
Risk management for charities Getting started: supplementary guidance

Risk Management for Trustees - What lessons can we learn from Personal Finance?
19 September 2014
Advice on risk management for trustees.

Annual Report 2013-14
31 March 2014

More of the wood, less of the trees: a trustee-centred approach to Management Accounts
1 April 2013
CFG Adrian Randall Prize 2013 Hilary SeawardWinner of the inaugural CFG Adrian Randall Prize 1.0.0.20 1.0.0.20

Annual Report 2012-13
31 March 2013

Related parties made simple
2 September 2012

World Vision UK - Board Policy - Risk Management
20 June 2012
This Policy sets out a framework for Risk Management as approved by the WVUK Board. The Policy seeks to reflect best practice for managing businesses as well as enabling the ...

Public Liability Risk Management Guide
31 January 2012
Defending yourself: How charities like yours can reduce their public liability risk.

Public Liability Brochure
31 January 2012
Public liability brochure.

Public Liability Defence Guide
31 January 2012
Defending yourself: What to do if a public liability claim is filed against your charity.

World Vision UK - Whistleblowing Policy
28 October 2011
World Vision UK's policy on Whistleblowing

World Vision UK - Policy Statement on Bribery
31 July 2011
World Vision UK's policy statement on bribery.

World Vision UK - Open Information Policy
28 July 2011
This policy ensures that all stakeholders and interested parties can request information from World Vision UK and will receive a response within 40 days.

Reducing Liability Risk
7 June 2011
Despite continued pressure on funding, our recent research has found that public liability remains the major area of concern for UK charities.

World Vision UK - Serious Incidents Policy
1 April 2011
This Policy sets out how World Vision UK (WVUK) seeks to ensure compliance with the Serious Incidentreporting requirements of the Charity Commission (the Commission) which are set out on its ...

World Vision UK - Serious Incidents Employee Reporting Policy
1 April 2011
World Vision UK - Serious Incidents Employee Reporting Policy

Creating a Strategic Investment Policy
27 January 2011
Tips on how to create a strategic investment policy.

Hedge Funds
27 January 2011

Hedge funds.

Internal Financial Control
1 October 2010
A comprehensive guide to the organisation’s internal financial controls, from policy statements to practical flow charts. Areas covered include petty cash, internal audit, financial reporting, receipt of incoming resources and ...

2010 Bribery Act – A briefing for NGOs
30 August 2010

2010 Bribery Act - A briefing for NGOs
1 August 2010
Briefing for NGOs regarding the 2010 Bribery Act.

The UK Bribery Act 2010
10 June 2010

Duty of Care - Can Your Travel Company Help?
15 April 2010
Key Travel outline some of the issues around travel related risks.

Trustee Induction Pack
25 March 2010
An induction pack for trustees.

Conflict of Interest Policy
25 March 2010
This policy has an introductory section of relevance to all staff, volunteers and management committee members which defines a conflict of interest, gives examples, and outlines procedures around disclosures.

Autism West Midlands Whistleblowing policy
18 December 2009
Outlines the procedure recommended by AutismWM for whistleblowers should they suspect malpractice or criminal activity in their organisation.

Charity Incorporation Made Simple
1 December 2009
Charity Incorporation Made Simple

Financial Reserves Policy and Current Target Reserve Levels
4 November 2009
This document covers principles, structures and definitions, purposes of each fund, investment considerations and monitoring and reviewing the policy.

Cheque Signing and Authorisation
1 October 2009
This document begins with procedures and internal controls, including the responsibilities of trustees, employees placing orders for goods or services, employees authorising expenditure, cheque signatories and the finance manager.

Managing Risk - Keeping in control
30 September 2009
The eighth annual risk management survey, “Managing risk – keeping in control”.

Ethical Purchasing Policy
11 September 2009
Ethical purchasing policy from Oxfam.

Financial Regulations
6 July 2009
This document describes in detail the financial standing orders of the organisation that apply to all members of staff and council.

Risk Management Health Check
1 July 2009
A travel risk management checklist.

Investment Policy
18 June 2009
This document covers the objectives of the policy, implementation, ethical considerations, and ancillary aspects including portfolio management and structure, risk management, types of investment, restrictions, cash and short-term investment holdings ...

Travel & Subsistence Policy And Procedures
26 May 2009
Travel & Subsistence Policy And Procedures.

Charities and Insolvency
4 December 2008
Written for CFG members by Pesh Framjee, Head of the Not for Profit team at Horwath Clark Whitehill LLP and CFG Special Adviser, this is a detailed guide to Charities ...

Supplier Questionnaire
1 February 2008
Supplier questionnaire template.

Reserves - Made Simple Guide No. 2
1 February 2008
Reserves made simple guide.

Sustainable Procurement Policy
6 January 2008
Sustainable procurement policy template.

Risk Assessment - Made Simple Guide No. 1
1 January 2008
Risk assessment made simple.

Annual Report 2006-07
31 March 2007

Governance in NGOs
5 June 2006
An overview of the role of governance in non-profits and charities.

The Charity Treasurers Forum
7 February 2006
The Voluntary Sector has a number of bodies that bring key people together. They roll off the tongue CFDG, NCVO, ACVO Institute of Fundraising etc.

Crisis Management Business Continuity
2 January 2006
Crisis Management Business Continuity

Code of Governance
1 July 2005
The Code of Governance is primarily aimed at the trustees of voluntary and community organisations.

Annual Report 2004-05
31 March 2005

Annual Report 2002-03
31 March 2003

The Burden of Responsibility
24 March 2003
Directors and Trustees have very distinct duties and legal responsibilities. This document outlines the implications of holding each title and the requirements of the post holder.

Remuneration of Trustees
1 March 2003
Addresses the issue of paying trustees, and considers the circumstances in which it might be possible to do so.

Annual Report 2001-02
31 March 2002

Annual Report 2000-01
31 March 2001

Trustees’ Liability and Indemnity Insurance
1 December 2000
Trustees' Liability And Indemnity Insurance

Annual Report 1998-99
31 March 1999

Annual report 1997-98
31 March 1998

Not Just for a Rainy Day
1 July 1997
This document examines charity reserves.

CFG Annual Conference gets off to a flying start
11 October 2021
Helen Stephenson, CEO of the Charity Commission, sets out the Commission's role as “guardians of legitimacy".  

CFG responds to first ever consultation on developing global financial reporting standards
12 August 2021
CFG urges members to get involved in Part Two of IFR4NPO's consultation on international reporting.

CFG responds to government consultation on restoring trust in audit and corporate governance
13 July 2021
Large charities back CFG’s call for proportionate reporting and auditing laws.

CFG joins with partners to produce Charities Bill briefing
7 July 2021
Charity Finance Group partners with sector to produce Charities Bill briefing paper for Peers.

Caron Bradshaw appointed as a member of new SORP Committee
13 February 2020
Caron Bradshaw, CEO at Charity Finance Group has been appointed as a member of the new SORP Committee. 1.0.0.20 1.0.0.20

Civil society asks of the Spending Review 2019
3 September 2019
Charity Finance Group and sector bodies write to the Chancellor before the Spending Review.

BEIS Review of the Financial Reporting Council
19 June 2019
Initial Consultation on the Recommendations

CFG responds to the Charity Commission’s consultation on the SORP-making process
6 February 2019

Changes to the CFG Board of Trustees
17 December 2018

New report raises concerns about complacency on financial governance
13 November 2017
A report from MHA MacIntyre Hudson and Charity Finance Group based on a survey of over 120 trustees has raised concerns about complacency on financial governance within charities. These concerns ...

Three new Charity Finance Group trustees elected
13 September 2017
Charity Finance Group members have elected three new trustees to replace Diane Bassett, Kevin Barnes and Ian Theodoreson who have stood down after reaching their maximum six years on the ...

ACF, CFG and NCVO raise concerns on draft guidance for funding non-charities
19 April 2016
Draft guidance from the Charity Commission, entitled 'Grant funding an organisation that isn't a charity' states that an organisation must not fund the 'core costs (or overheads) of a non-charity'. ...

Public divided on charging charities for charity regulation, new report finds
16 January 2016
Research by University of Kent for CFG finds public divided on whether charities should contribute to regulator. Broad support by both regular and non-regular donors for a well-resourced and independent ...

How to share your story through your annual report
26 January 2021
Find out how complying with the fundraising reporting requirements in Section 13 of the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016 can be a great way of telling your fundraising ...

What does the Spending Review mean for charities?
26 November 2020
CFG's policy team takes a look at the government's latest Spending Review as announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on 25 November 2020.

Are you Brexit ready?
24 November 2020
With the unprecedented impact of Covid-19 still front of mind for all parts of civil society, it’s not surprising that Brexit has slipped onto the back-burner. But with the transition ...

Three-year Comprehensive Spending Review replaced
21 October 2020
CFG's Policy Manager, Richard Sagar, shares an update on the government's recent decision to hold a one-year Spending Review.

Finally, international guidance is within reach
30 September 2020
Samantha Musoke ACA, IFR4NPO Project Director, Humentum

Charity Commission guidance on Serious Incident Reporting during the coronavirus pandemic
4 June 2020
By Roberta Fusco, Director of Policy and Engagement at CFG  

Top ten tips for how to handle the year end in a pandemic
6 April 2020
Joanna Pittman, Partner at CFG corporate member Sayer Vincent gives her top ten tips for how to handle the year end in a pandemic.

Has the Charity Commission has taken the wrong tone in its election guidance
13 November 2019
The charities regulator in England and Wales recently wrote to its whole database to warn them of their duties when campaigning. David Ainsworth asks if the Commission struck the right ...

Why does the narrative around public 'trust' makes me feel so uncomfortable?
16 October 2019
By Caron Bradshaw, CEO of CFG 1.0.0.20 1.0.0.20

Five takeaways from August’s Inflation Report
9 August 2019
CFG’s Policy Manager Richard Sagar outlines his five key takeaways from the August Inflation Report and explores what they mean for the charity sector.

The lessons for Oxfam and the wider sector
7 August 2019
Karl Wilding, shortly to take over as chief executive of NCVO, reflects on the lessons of Oxfam, and talks about the importance of getting your safeguarding and governance right.

How the best boards do it, from preparation to meeting execution
12 March 2019
By Passageways

Seeing the wood for the trees
26 February 2019
A subject that it frequently on charities’ minds and in the public domain is transparency. Caron Bradshaw discusses how we should start re-evaluating measuring transparency in the sector and helping ...

What the recent SCOTUS judge controversy can teach us about the Charities’ SORP
15 January 2019
It's hard to get excited about the current review of the charities' SORP says Caron Bradshaw, but it's imperative we engage with the consultation. Like the recent controversial appointment of ...

The key to good governance - truly understanding the business
9 April 2018
Trustees need to make informed and appropriate strategic decisions for their charity and to do this, need to fully understand the business. Suzanne O’Brien, CXK, highlights the need for information ...

Does your charity follow serious incident reporting guidelines?
12 February 2018
Recent coverage about the activities of charities in terms of safeguarding and misspending of funds have brought into focus the regime for charities to report serious incidents to the Charity ...

Charity finance professionals need to be aware of new automatic disqualification rules
2 February 2018
From 1st August 2018, chief finance officers, finance directors, finance managers and other similar roles in charities may face automatic disqualification from serving in these positions if they have committed certain criminal ...

How big a threat is property to your charity?
24 January 2018
According to the last Ethical Property Foundation Charity Property Matters Survey 2016, 45% of respondents said that property was the biggest threat to their organisation. Property management has been ...

Money is not the issue when it comes to charging for Charity Commission
23 January 2018
The government should be congratulated on its decision to increase the Charity Commission’s funding by £5m per year (a 20% increase) over the near future, whilst it considers what it ...

How can charity investors perform better in a volatile market?
9 January 2018
Ahead of his session at our Investment Conference 2018, James Money-Kyrle looks at navigating the road in a volatile market.

A stairway to heaven on business rates for the charity sector?
1 December 2017
Now that it has been a week since the Chancellor submitted his Autumn Budget, CFG has been able to take a finer look at what the document says on business ...

Investing in financial governance is one of the most cost effective ways to help your charity
17 November 2017
As we come to the end of Trustees Week 2017, Charity Finance Group has had a busy week. Yesterday, one of our Member Meetings was focused on how to improve ...

Sarah Atkinson - Have your say on the annual return for charities
14 November 2017
Sarah Atkinson, Director of Policy and Communications at the Charity Commission explains why all charities should take part in their consultation on the Annual Return.  The Charity Commission is ...

Time to review your risks? An update from the experts...
3 October 2017
Ahead of their sessions at CFG's Risk & Sustainability Conference 2017, sector experts Kate Sayer and Rosie Chapman look at risks and reserves, how they are managed and what you ...

Where are the ‘automatic stabilisers’ for charities income?
26 September 2017
This blog post is prompted by the Association of Charitable Foundation’s (ACF) latest Giving Trends research, which is a must-read for everyone in the charity sector. The news is ...

6 simple steps your charity can take to help protect themselves from fundraising fraud
25 September 2017
Fundraising fraud is where a fraudster (who might be known) collects money on behalf of the charity but keeps some or all of the money and can be difficult for ...

Do I need a fraud response plan?
25 September 2017

Fraud and the 3 C's
25 September 2017
Throughout CFG’s Counter Fraud Campaign we have talked a lot about establishing controls, culture and communications, or the 3 C’s. It is important to also think about how these 3 ...

How can charities ensure they work towards gender equality in their organisation?
3 August 2017
CFG has previously reported on the introduction of gender pay regulations for organisations that have at least 250 employees as of the 5th April 2017. 

What can charities learn from the recent fraud cases?
27 July 2017
Unfortunately this week there have been two high profile cases of fraud being committed within a charity.

CFG launches Counter Fraud Campaign
12 July 2017

Record Management Toolkit Launch Roundup
20 June 2017
Last Thursday, CFG in partnership with  the British Academy Research Project ‘Digitising the Mixed Economy of Welfare in Britain’ based at UCL Institute of Education, launched the free Records Management in Charities: ...

What can charities learn from the international cyber attack?
16 May 2017
Following the widely reported cyber-attack over the weekend on the NHS, and over 300,000 computers in 150 countries, it is important to look at what charities can learn from this ...

NCVO Almanac points to fundamental shifts in the charity operating environment
9 May 2017
NCVO has just published summary data from its Almanac 2017 and as always, it is a fascinating read. The launch is tonight, so I’m looking forward to what the NCVO ...

Better partnerships needed between finance and fundraising teams
13 April 2017
Fundraising isn’t just about fundraisers. It is about the whole organisation. One of the lessons that the sector has had to learn is that good fundraising requires the whole organisation ...

We must not see a rush to charging charities for regulation – House of Lords report
27 March 2017
There has been a lot of coverage in the sector media of the voluminous House of Lords report on the future of the charity sector. It is well worth a ...

IFS 2017 Green Budget – the good, the bad, and the worrying?
10 February 2017

Responsible Record Keeping: what do voluntary organisations need to know?
31 January 2017
In this guest blog, Dr Charlotte Clements, Research Assistant on the British Academy project ‘Digitising the Mixed Economy of Welfare’, writes about the need for charities to have good archives ...

Trustee Week: Working to inspire good leadership
7 November 2016
The 7 - 11th November is Trustee Week for the charity sector. The theme of this year’s Trustee Week is stronger charities through good leadership. 

Charging charities for regulation isn’t inevitable but it is risky and inefficient
4 November 2016
The hookey-cokey of the Charity Commission consultation on charging charities for regulation continued on Wednesday, with the Chair of the Charity Commission once again saying that he viewed charging for ...

Let's talk about the F-word
28 October 2016
So what do we mean when we say the ‘F’ word? Are we talking about watching Gordon Ramsay shout at helpless cooks for an hour or two on the TV? ...

Tony Armstrong looks at Devolution: working with local organisations to transform public services
5 September 2016

Devolution is our chance to advocate for the most vulnerable
2 September 2016
Kathy Evans, CEO of Children England highlights the important voice that the voluntary sector has and how they can use it to be a power of advocacy. 

How will the 'devolution revolution' be financed?
1 September 2016
At CFG, Locality, NAVCA and Children England's The Voluntary Sector and Devolution Summit we'll be looking at the key concerns about financing  local government under devolution deals. 

Caron asks: 'Why does the voluntary sector need a devolution summit?'
31 August 2016
Caron Bradshaw, CEO of Charity Finance Group, explains why CFG has worked with partners to organise the Devolution and the Voluntary Sector Summit and why she thinks it is important ...

Do charities need to become social enterprises to survive?
4 August 2016
Heather Black at Economic Change asks “Is charity becoming irrelevant?” - this will be the question posed at the Large Charities Conference taking place in September, hosted by Charity Finance ...

Ten things you should know about the new power to make social investments
1 August 2016

New report should prompt major re-evaluation of social investment
26 July 2016
Last week saw a report issued by Social Spider’s on social investment “The Forest for the Trees”. 

EU Referendum: Keep watching this space…
24 June 2016
The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union and the Prime Minister has resigned. What does this mean for charities? The decision to leave the European Union will ...

CFG's SORP Survey
21 June 2016

Guest blog: Stamp duty increase reinforces case for charity investors to invest in stamp-exempt funds
15 June 2016
In this guest blog, James Thornton from Mayfair Capital explores a more hidden benefit for charity investors from the Budget back in March. 

Guest blog: SAVE Financial Planning
13 June 2016
This Guest blog is by Nick Dugdale, International Financial Planning & Analysis Manager at Compassion in World Farming, and treasurer at Attitude is Everything. Nick is undertaking a project looking ...

Guest blog: Insights into charity investment practices
10 June 2016
This guest blog is courtesy of Newton Investment Management. It provides an overview of some of the key findings from their recent survey of charity leaders, shedding light of charity ...

EU Referendum: What could this mean for charities?
6 June 2016
As the 23rd June appears closer and closer this Europe's Final Countdown song has never felt more relevant as the UK public decides whether they will be voting to remain ...

You don’t need to be a charity to do good…but it helps!
1 June 2016

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Another day, another opportunity for charities to engage in a consultation
24 May 2016
Just like buses, you wait around for one consultation from the Charity Commission and then you’re surprised by two turning up together.

Friday Afternoon Fraud
13 May 2016

Is the SORP FRS 102 working for you?
5 May 2016

Charities need to do the walk, not just the talk and invest in financial leadership
22 February 2016
Last week, ACCA and Responsible Finance, launched an insightful report into the finance function within non-for-profit organisations. The report isn’t too long, and I’d encourage every finance professional in the ...

Hunting for the silver lining; the IFS, the economy and charities.
12 February 2016
This week I attended the IFS’s Green Budget 2016 event, which provides an essential commentary on the economic issues facing the current government over the next Parliament. The report comes ...

Charging charities for their regulation: A fait accompli?
5 February 2016

Affinity Deals: What do you need to know?
5 February 2016

Lessons to take away from Kids Company report
1 February 2016
The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) report on the failure of Kids Company has been released. The report has a number of lessons that the charity sector needs ...

New Charity Commission guidance on reserves
29 January 2016
By Kate Sayer, Partner, Sayer Vincent .

What did the Romans ever know about data protection?
19 January 2016
As usual, quite a lot. Caesar famously used his cipher device to protect important and sensitive military data among his generals. So what can we learn from the famous Roman?

What Regulation, Who Pays? Public Opinion and Charity Regulation
13 January 2016
CFG has today published a new report, What Regulation, Who Pays? Public Opinion and Charity Regulation. The research was conducted by Dr Eddy Hogg from the Centre for Philanthropy at ...

Social investment: Government's Windex for civil society
7 December 2015

Banking and Payment Systems: Invisible Enables for Charities
24 November 2015

Just one thing, Sir John...
18 November 2015

Does the charity sector have a problem with women?
9 November 2015

Targeted giveaways risk creating a hierarchy of charities
28 August 2015
Successive budgets over the last and current parliament have introduced targeted giveaways to charities through both Libor fines and VAT rebates. These funds have gone to selected organisations including military ...

The time for ‘rational optimism’ – A response to Matt Ridley
19 August 2015

What’s the risk? Implications of the summer budget for housing associations
22 July 2015

How much do we know about PbR?
19 June 2015
Today the National Audit Office (NAO) have published their report on the Government’s use of Payment by Results (PbR). I have drawn out some of the key points of relevance to charities. 

What’s the latest data on charity sector income and expenditure?
10 June 2015
The UK Civil Society Almanac 2015 is here and as ever provides a wealth of valuable data.

Why is transparency and reporting important for charities?
9 April 2015
Helena Wilkinson, Partner at Price Bailey   

A chance to restart the social investment conversation
31 March 2015
Last Friday saw the launch of the Alternative Social Investment Commission’s report. You can read the full report with its conclusions and recommendations here.

Can charities help end the ‘pushmi-pullyu’ of local government spending to support prevention?
16 March 2015

Capacity building – a dividing line in 2015?
10 March 2015

Caron’s comment: can profit and social change mix?
9 March 2015
I recently attended an interesting seminar on social ventures. The presenters argued that the legal construct of a venture should be irrelevant, and that it was the organisation’s ability to ...

Pressure on charity campaigning is not going to go away
27 February 2015
This week Weber Shandwick held a debate on the future of charity campaigning which saw a panel of eminent speakers* discuss the Lobbying Act and other issues in the run ...

Fog of uncertainty makes post-election planning difficult for charities
4 February 2015
Today the Institute for Fiscal Studies unveiled its Green Budget 2015.

Audits, thresholds and transparency
30 January 2015
Last week, the Cabinet Office consultation on the future of the audit threshold for charities concluded. 

Are you inspired to become a trustee?
14 November 2014
It has been another busy Trustees’ Week and we’ve been joining in the celebrations of the great work that trustees do and encouraging others to get involved and make a ...

The secret of trusteeship – aim high!
6 November 2014
I seem to have always been a trustee in some form or another for the majority of my adult life. I have learnt that being a great trustee requires almost ...

What happened to the red tape cull?
5 September 2014
Caron Bradshaw Once upon a time, an energetic new government was elected. It proclaimed a new age of a smaller state and a bigger society. A world in which civil ...

Trustees' Week- find out how you can get involved
27 August 2014
With the launch of #onemilliontrustees video competition; Trustees’ Week 2014 (taking place on 10-16 November), is firmly on our radar. 

Are charities losing their voice?
24 July 2014
The campaigning role of charities has stayed firmly in the public spotlight for the last twelve months and appears to be gaining traction as we head towards the General Election.

CFG is changing its objects to broaden its reach
8 July 2014
Back in May I mentioned in a previous post that CFG was in the process of amending our memorandum and articles of association and changing our objects in order to ...

Vision for sector post-2015. What did the politicians have to say at the CFG Annual Conferece?
19 May 2014
Following our overwhelmingly successful Annual Conference last Thursday, back at CFG-HQ we are now digesting the political nuggets that were debated in our closing plenary by the Minister for Civil ...

Making CFG fit for the future
9 May 2014

Managing in a Downturn Report Reflections....
11 April 2014
Yesterday saw the launch of the seventh ‘Managing in Downturn’ report – a survey series that we have run in partnership with the Institute of Fundraising and PwC since the ...

The Commission: A damsel in distress?
12 March 2014
 We’re not long into the new year, but already it is looking as though the increased (and sometimes hostile) scrutiny being applied to the charity sector is set to continue. ...

Diversifying your Board - the benefits for small charities
3 March 2014
Alex Swallow, Chief Executive of the Small Charities Coalition tells us...

A change in economic outlook- is your charity sinking or swimming… tell us!
24 January 2014

Why the role of the charity regulator matters - a look to Ireland
20 January 2014

2014, politics, and charities
10 January 2014

Panorama - moral dilemmas for the charity sector
13 December 2013
It’s difficult to avoid noticing the fallout of Tuesday’s Panorama investigation into some of the UK’s leading charities

NAO report on Gift Aid: Evidence of a lack of evidence
21 November 2013
Today the first of three long awaited reports into charity regulation and tax reliefs was issued by the NAO. 

Accounting for different charity structures
15 November 2013
The legal and reporting framework anchors the values shared by charities, while still allowing flexibility where there is divergence in business model. The guidance for financial reporting in charities, or the ...

Celebrating the trustees who SERVE us!
6 November 2013
So, another successful trustees’ week is well underway! With a range of activities currently taking place and our imminent members’ meetings looking at specific issues related to trusteeship, I thought ...

Flipping the coin: What Government could do to increase demand for social investment in charities
10 September 2013
Last week we responded to the consultation on a tax relief for social investment last week - the Government’s latest initiative to increase the supply of investment.

CFG’s response to the social investment tax relief consultation: acceleration of “a great force for social change on our planet” or a missed opportunity?
5 September 2013
Why the social investment tax relief is potentially good news for charities

Ian's insight: The world needs grown ups
2 September 2013
I am writing this article in mid-August – a week after the Wonga furore and in the midst of the charity salary ‘revelations’ – the silly season indeed! 

It takes two to tango with the social investment tax relief
10 July 2013
With social investment recently hailed by the prime minster as ‘a great force for social change on the planet’ you’d be forgiven for thinking there was rather more of it ...

FATCA: What charities need to know
10 May 2013
Eva Abeles and Melora Jezierska provide an update on the current status of FATCA legislation and its implications for the charity sector

Access Insurance
Access are specialist insurance advisors to the Third Sector. 15,000 clients benefit from professional insurance advice and quality cover, tailored to meet their needs. Are you paying for more than ...

Adapta Consulting
As leading independent IS consultants we provide NFPs with tailored advice and guidance to develop the key areas to achieving strategic and operational effectiveness - Processes; through business development. People; ...

Audere
Charitytransfers.org is a social division of a regulated, independent risk management consultancy, Audere. Their aim is to provide INGOs with the expertise necessary to improve financial governance toward international funding ...

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP
Bates Wells is ranked by Chambers and Legal 500 as the leading charity and social enterprise lawyers in the UK. Our lawyers are personally committed to the charity sector – ...

Beever and Struthers
Our client base of over 150 charities and other not for profit organisations - from small local concerns to large national names – benefit from our core services of External ...

Bishop Fleming
Bishop Fleming is a leading accountancy firm based in the South West and Midlands. Recognised nationally as a Top 30 Charity Audit Firm by the Charity Finance League Table, Bishop ...

Brewin Dolphin
Our charity specialists, located across the UK, are dedicated to charity investment management. Our service is designed to provide the investment returns sought by your investment strategy, and to enable ...

Cooper Parry
Our dedicated NFP team advises charities and other not-for-profit organisations. We recognise every organisation is different and provide a bespoke service to match. Our services include external audit, regularity assurance, ...

Farrer & Co LLP
Farrer & Co is synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and service. We advise individuals, not-for-profit organisations, businesses, financial services and educational organisations on every aspect of the law. ...

haysmacintyre
haysmacintyre is an award winning firm of chartered accountants and tax advisors, with 35 partners and over 300 staff. Our award winning charities and not for profit team is one ...

Hempsons
As a top 10 specialist legal advisor to the UK’s top charities, our team has worked with this sector for many years and advises on all aspects from start up ...

Hewitsons LLP
The Charities & Education team comprises around 40 lawyers and advisors, some of whom work solely on core charity law, regulation and governance matters. The team is led by Chris ...

HW Fisher LLP
HW Fisher works with 300 charities and not for profit organisations providing expert accountancy, audit, tax and advisory services to organisations of all types and sizes. Our reputation is grounded ...

IBB Solicitors
IBB Solicitors’ team of specialist charity lawyers are experienced in delivering practical commercial advice across all areas of the law to charities, not-for-profit organisations and those who work within the ...

Insignis Cash Solutions
Through our platform, you can access over 30 banks and building societies with competitive interest rates, all from a single sign up. This enables you to maximise returns whilst simultaneously ...

Menzies
Menzies LLP are accountants and strategic business advisors committed to bringing #BrighterThinking to your organisation. This approach is more than just balancing the books; it’s the difference we make to ...

MHA
Our insight into the Not for Profit sector is extensive; collectively MHA members are able to draw from the experience of over 1600 clients in the sector and 21 charity ...

Mills & Reeve
Our charities team is part of a full service firm with broad experience across the commercial sector and international markets. This means you get complete answers and best practice from ...

PIB Insurance Brokers
PIB Insurance Brokers Limited specialise in providing insurance and risk management advice to charities. We have a long history of delivering cost effective solutions and now act for a significant ...

Price Bailey
Price Bailey currently acts for over 400 charities and not-for-profit organisations. The Price Bailey service proposition is built around gaining a detailed knowledge of you and your business, and our ...

PricewaterhouseCoopers
At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We work together with charities across our five diverse lines of service: Audit, Consulting, Deals, Risk ...

RSM
With over 1,000 charity clients of all sizes and one of the largest specialist charities groups in the UK, our understanding and appreciation of the unique challenges in the Not ...

Russell-Cooke
Russell-Cooke is a top 100 law firm with 47 partners and 235 other staff offering services to individuals, businesses and charities.

Sayer Vincent
Sayer Vincent is the UK’s leading firm of award winning accountants and advisors specifically working for charities, not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises.

Smartdesc
Smartdesc offer technology partnerships to not for profits. They focus on IT Strategy, helping you build technology roadmaps and provide IT Support, Cyber Security & GDPR services, as well as ...

SmartSimple Software
Grant making solutions for charities who value security, good governance and compliance. SmartSimple Cloud solutions helps charities manage, track and report the impact of their grant making investments. The fully ...

Spence & Partners
Spence & Partners is a privately owned UK firm of actuaries, pension consultants that operate throughout the United Kingdom with a focus on providing advice with a personal touch to ...

The HR Services Partnership Ltd trading as WorkNest HR
Established in 2003 to provide smaller organisations within the charity sector with access to affordable, bespoke HR support, this remains our core purpose today. We support some 180 charities a ...

Utility Aid
Utility Aid helps charities to reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions. Awarded most Trusted Energy Consultancy 2018 and Trusted Supplier 2019, Utility Aid prides itself on our first-class customer ...

Wilsons Solicitors
Wilsons has one of the most highly ranked charity teams in the UK, advising over 580 charity clients on the complete range of legal needs. Our clients tell us that ...

Wrigleys
Noted for its “exceptionally high level of service, professionalism, integrity and knowledge”, Wrigleys Solicitors is a niche firm with 24 partners and over 170 staff which specialises in advising charities ...