
New voluntary organisation banking guide is a welcome step forward
With many charities reporting problems when it comes to banking, a newly-published voluntary organisation banking guide is a step in the right direction, says Stef Smith of Lovewell Blake’s Charities team.

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

When would a charity need to consider refusing or returning a donation?
Most charities spend a lot of effort seeking donations – but sometimes they may need to consider refusing a donation, or returning one which has already been made, says Kyle Smith of Lovewell Blake’s Charities team.

Lovewell Blake named as top accountancy firm in the UK for charity expertise in comprehensive national survey
East Anglian chartered accountants Lovewell Blake has been named the best in the UK for its charity expertise by Charity Finance magazine, in its annual survey of accountancy firms offering specialist services to the charity sector.

ESFA updates guidance on academy trusts' reserves policies
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has issued updated guidance for academy trusts on the subject of reserves policy – and trustees should be familiarising themselves with the new advice before taking decisions about the levels of reserves held within their trust.

Charities urged not to leave new Annual Return completion until the last minute
Charities are being urged not to delay completing their statutory Annual Returns, as a new format means that the task will require more time and input than in previous years.

New guidance on investing charity funds published
The Charity Commission’s document aimed at charity trustees which gives guidance on investing charity money has been significantly updated.