New development: Churches and charity accounting

Abstract

This article outlines the impact of the charity accounting regime on churches in the various legal jurisdictions of the UK. While churches have charitable status throughout the UK, historically they have not necessarily had to follow the normal requirements for charity financial reporting. But churches are now starting to submit accounts to regulators like other charities and the impact of this is considered.

Notes

*See Morgan (2009) regarding exempt and excepted charities. Local churches are frequently excepted charities, but not normally exempt.

*Specifically, the requirements in ss 41–45 of the Charities Act 1993 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/2724).

*See Regulations Annent Congregational Finance (Church of Scotland General Assembly, 1994).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gareth G. Morgan

He acts as an independent examiner or accountant to a wide range of charitable organizations, including a number of churches.