Accountants’ conference sees speakers set out future priorities

[THE ANNUAL Charity Conference of the Institute of Chartered As she pointed out: “The pandemic has shown that charities make a Accountants of England and Wales took place virtually this year – on vital contribution to public life: whether large, national charities, relied 21-22 January. on to provide life-saving services; or small, local community groups

The popular event aims to allow financial professionals access to innovating and helping people, in support of a common cause.” all the vital accounting, governance and taxation updates affecting the The main thrust of her address was the role the commission plays in charity sector. regulating the relationship between charities and the public they both

This year’s event brought serve and rely upon. together figures from the world “I see our job as helping to of accountancy, charities and safeguard what is essentially a journalism to debate the issues covenant between the public, affecting the sector. charities and the state. A covenant

Among the issues debated founded on a bond of trust which is were vital technical updates on why Parliament set us the statutory charity accounting, taxation and objective to increase – not maintain governance – given by expert – but to increase public trust and speakers from BDO UK LLP and confidence in charity.And we will City and Cambridge Consulting, strive to change and adapt as a among others. regulator only insofar as it makes us

Impact reporting and the use of better able to uphold that covenant.” digital was also explored, as well She was forthright that the as wider reporting trends and future commission would take action developments in charity reporting. where charities fall short.

Insights were provided © Gov.uk “That’s why we take charities to into the #IFR4NPO Project – the International Financial “The pandemic has shown that charities task when they have failed to meet the expectations of the law or our Reporting guidance for Non- make a vital contribution to public life: guidance and in that sense have Profit Organisations. A public whether large, national charities, relied broken the covenant. And why we consultation was launched in January by the Chartered on to provide life-saving services; call out behaviour which, whilst not a technical breach of the law, goes Institute of Public Finance and or small, local community groups against the reasonable expectations Accountancy and Humentum as innovating and helping people, in of the public that charities should part of the IFR4NPO initiative. The news media were support of a common cause.” behave differently from private or commercial entities.” represented by Sir Martyn Helen Stephenson, CEO of the Charity Commission On the subject of the work of Lewis CBE, former BBC and the Charity Commission itself, ITN newscaster. He shared the she pointed to strides made evidence that shows the gathering momentum of ‘solutions-driven despite the upheaval caused by the pandemic. journalism’. “We have all seen how deep charity runs in our society over the past

The keynote speech on day one was delivered by Helen Stephenson, year. How important it is for people of all walks to life to get involved in CEO of the Charity Commission. charity – whether by giving their time or their money – and to help find

Her speech, published in full by the commission, addressed a range solutions to the challenges their communities face. of issues facing charities, particularly during the unprecedented times of “Together with our partners in the professions, and with charities the COVID pandemic. As she pointed out, that was not the position she themselves, that public enthusiasm and trust is what the commission exists expected charities to still be in when she accepted the invitation to speak. to nurture and protect.” q

Caring for chelonia

[THE BRITISH CHELONIA GROUP publishes six newsletters a year containing details of meetings, short articles, news items and veterinary notes. Their journal Testudo is published annually and contains original articles and reviews on all aspects of turtles, terrapins and tortoises – their biology, conservation, welfare, veterinary care and husbandry. The group also organises symposia.

As well as the yearly appeals in aid of specific international causes in chelonia research and survival, the BCG assists other worthy causes in support of its aims with grants. They invite grant applications from organisations and individuals engaged on the work of chelonia conservation – such as zoos, universities, zoologists and students in this country and overseas. q

The range of charities which depend on legacies to carry out their valuable work is a broad one. Those that are represented in this publication are listed below, grouped according to the area of activity in which they operate.

INDEX

ANIMAL WELFARE

Pet Rescue Welfare Association 2 Friends of the Animals 4/5 Marwell Wildlife 8 The New European Distressed Donkey Initiative Ltd 8 RCVS Knowledge 14/15 The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary 16 Wild Futures 16 Three Counties Dog Rescue 17 Last Chance Animal Rescue 18 Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue 21 FOUR PAWS 22/23 The Suffolk Punch Trust 24 Tiggywinkles 24 Heartbeat Home for Horses 26 Forever Hounds Trust 26 Hopefield Animal Sanctuary 28 British Chelonia Group 30

MEDICAL RESEARCH

Prostate Cancer Research 1 Pain Relief Foundation 2 Royal College of Surgeons 6 CLEFT 10 Brain Research UK 10 World Cancer Research Fund 13/32

SUPPORT & ADVICE

Nerve Tumours UK 20 Seafarers UK 25

OVERSEAS AID

ZANE: Zimbabwe A National Emergency 6

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

Hypo Hounds 9 Kidney Kids Scotland 18

HEALTH & DISABILITY

National Federation of the Blind of the United Kingdom 11