Latest Articles
New Academy Trust Handbook for 2024
The ESFA has now published the 2024 edition of the Academy Trust Handbook, which covers the requirements academy trusts must comply with from 1 September 2024.
CIOs – Should you make the move?
The new Charitable Incorporated Organisation has given charities another choice of structure – but is this the right route for your organisation, asks Rebecca Frost of Lovewell Blake’s Charities team
Academies Accounts Direction
The ESFA have now released the Academies Accounts Direction 2023 – 2024 for academy trust accounts ending 31 August 2024, along with model accounts and the auditor framework and guide.
Employment allowance for small charities
Small charities with employees are often unaware that they are eligible for the Employment Allowance. This enables them to reduce their annual National Insurance liability by up to £5,000, so long as their total NI liabilities were less than £100,000 in the previous tax year. Unincorporated charities and Community Action Sports Clubs are also eligible.
Much more detailed charity annual return will enable charity commission to ensure the charitable sector is more resilient
In the same way that limited companies have to file an Annual Return to Companies House each year confirming and/or updating their details, charities are required to file an Annual Return to the Charity Commission.
New charity commission trustee portal is a welcome step to improve engagement
All charities rely on individuals who are willing to give their time and skills to act as trustees. Now a new online initiative from the Charity Commission has been launched to provide better support for trustees – and it’s a good idea for anyone on a charity’s board to sign up.
Charity Alert - The Charity Commission
The Charity Commission has released a useful summary of the most important changes made to the Charities Act.
Robust reserves policy ‘more important than ever’ for charities
As charities emerge from the pandemic to uncertain times, it is more important than ever that their reserves policies reflect their current needs, says Rebecca Frost of Lovewell Blake’s specialist Charity team.
Charity alert - 'five minute guides' for Trustees
The Charity Commission has released a series of animated videos to promote its “five minute guides” for Trustees which were launched last year.
Not for profit corporate structures – which one is best for us?
We often receive enquiries from small unincorporated not for profit organisations, such as clubs, who are growing and finding that they want to, or need to, review their structure. Sometimes they are taking on their first employees, or perhaps they need to rent a property.