to the financial statements

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a) Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared 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)

- (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note.

b) Public benefit entity

The charitable company meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

c) Going concern

We have adequate financial resources and are well placed to manage the business risks. Our planning process, including financial projections, has taken into consideration the current economic climate and its potential impact on the various sources of income and planned expenditure. We have a reasonable expectation that we have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. We believe that there are no material uncertainties that call into doubt the charity’s ability to continue. The accounts have therefore been prepared on the basis that the charity is a going concern.

d) Estimates

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates, assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

for the year ended 31 March 2022

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an on-going basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period; or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects the current and future periods.

In the view of the Trustees, no assumptions concerning the future or estimation uncertainty affecting assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date are likely to result in a material adjustment to their carrying amounts in the next financial year. The principal accounting policies, as set out above, have all been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding year.

e) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably. Income includes associated gift aid tax reclaims.

Donations to DEC appeals are recognised when receivable, and included as restricted income used to fund the related disaster response programmes. Associated gift aid tax reclaims are included as unrestricted income and no less than 50% of the gift aid received is transferred to the restricted appeal fund, with the remainder being used to fund DEC operating costs. Contributions from member agencies towards DEC’s appeal preparedness is included as donations and accounted for when due.

Income from legacies is included when received from the estate or when the charity is notified by the executor that a distribution will be made. 50% of legacy income is allocated to restricted income and used to fund disaster response programmes, 50% is allocated to unrestricted income.

Income from UK Aid Match is recognised when matched against eligible income from UK public donations.

Interest on funds held on cash deposit is included when receivable.

f) Donations of services

During the year the DEC has benefited from broadcasting, promotion and donations processing services received free or at discounted rates from various providers. Where the value of the services is quantifiable the value has been attributed to these services in the accounts.

The majority of services provided are not reasonably quantifiable and measurable and the cost of identifying them and assessing their value to the DEC would outweigh the benefit to users of the accounts. Therefore these donated services have been omitted.

g) Fund accounting

Restricted funds are used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor or related to a specific DEC appeal. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund.

Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for the charitable purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.

h)

Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Costs of raising funds relate to the costs incurred by the charity in encouraging individuals and other third parties to make voluntary contributions to DEC appeals, as well as the cost of any activities with a fundraising purpose.

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the funds allocated to DEC member agencies towards the costs of delivering disaster response programmes as set out in note i) below. Expenditure is recognised