INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ACCOUNTS (CHARITY UNINCORPORATED OR CIO) - RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
The purpose of this schedule to our engagement letter is to set out the basis on which we are to perform an independent examination of the accounts for the charity.
1. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
1.1 As trustees of the charity, you are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records and an appropriate system of internal control for the charity and for preparing the account and statement in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and regulations thereunder.
1.2 In accordance with the Charities Act 2011 Section 133, where the charity's gross income in any financial year does not exceed £250,000, the charity's trustees may elect to prepare a receipts and payments account and a statement of assets and liabilities as its annual statement of accounts. You have elected to prepare such a statement of accounts.
2.1 Under the Charities Act 2011 we have a statutory responsibility to state whether or not any matters have come to our attention to which in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached, and to report whether or not any matter has come to our attention in connection with the examination which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:
2.2 We are also required to report any of the following matters that have become apparent during the course of our examination:
•whether there has been any material expenditure or action which appears not to be in accordance with the trusts of the charity; and
• whether any information or explanation to which we are entitled under regulation 33 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 has not been afforded to us.
2.3 We shall plan our work on the basis that an examination report is required for the year, unless you inform us in writing that either:
• the charity requires an audit of the accounts; or
• the charity requires neither an audit nor an examination report.
2.4 Should you instruct us to carry out an audit, then a separate letter of engagement will be required.
2.5 Should you inform us that the charity requires neither an audit nor an examination, then we shall have no responsibilities to the charity, except those specifically agreed upon between us in respect of other professional services.
2.6 Should our work lead us to conclude that the charity is not entitled to exemption from an audit of the accounts, or should we be unable to reach a conclusion on this matter, then we will not issue any report and will notify you in writing of the reasons. In these circumstances, if appropriate, we will discuss with you the need to appoint an auditor.
2.7 We have a statutory duty to report to the Charity Commission (CC) under section 156 of the Charities Act 2011 such matters (concerning the activities or affairs of the charity or any connected institution or body corporate) of which we become aware during the course of our examination which are (or are likely to be) of material significance to the CC in the exercise of their powers of inquiry into, or acting for the protection of, charities.
3. SCOPE OF EXAMINATION
3.1 Our examination will be conducted in accordance with the CC's 'Independent examination of charity accounts: Directions and Guidance for examiners’ (CC32). Our procedures will consist of comparing the accounts with the accounting records, vouching some material / significant transactions, making limited enquiries of the officers of the charity and only in certain circumstances seeking independent evidence to support entries in the accounting records, or the presentation of the accounts. We shall also review the trustees' report and discuss with you the financial circumstances of the charity at the end of the year.
3.2 Our examination is not designed to identify all significant weaknesses in the charity's systems but, if such weaknesses come to our notice during the course of our examination which we think should be brought to your attention, we shall report them to you. Any such report may not be provided to third parties without our prior written consent. Such consent will be granted only on the basis that such reports are not prepared with the interests of anyone other than the charity in mind and that we accept no duty or responsibility to any other party as concerns the reports.
3.3 As part of our normal procedures, we may request you to provide written confirmation of oral representations which we have received from you during the course of the examination on matters having a material effect on the account and statement.
3.4 In order to assist us with the examination of your accounts, we shall request sight of all documents or statements, including the trustees' annual report, which are due to be issued with the accounts. If it is proposed that any documents or statements which refer to our name, other than the examined accounts, are to be circulated to third parties, please consult us before they are issued.
3.5 The responsibility for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for the prevention and detection of fraud, error and non-compliance with laws or regulations rests with yourselves. Our examination should not be relied upon to disclose all material misstatements or frauds, errors or instances of non-compliance as may exist.
3.6 We shall not be treated as having notice, for the purposes of our examination responsibilities, of information provided to members of our firm other than those engaged on the examination.
3.7 Once we have issued our report we have no further direct responsibility in relation to the accounts for that financial year.
Updated January 2021
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