Additional notes for Scottish
units
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In Scotland, accounting by charities is
regulated by the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006,
and the statement of recommended practice for accounting by
charities. The requirements for the end-of-year accounts statement
differ from those mentioned previously and are detailed below.
However, the notes relating to the standard of record-keeping
required are applicable and should be followed as they represent
the minimum standard acceptable.
Charity
registration
In Scotland it is the Office of the Scottish
Charity Regulator (OSCR) which recognises charities and awards the
charity number. Girlguiding UK’s Scottish Headquarters (SHQ) and
all the Scottish Counties have their own charity numbers.
Year-end
accounts
An independent review of a unit’s accounts is
a legal obligation in Scotland for all levels of gross income. The
level of review required and the format of accounts vary according
to the gross income.
Examination of
accounts
The detail to be included in the accounts and
the degree of scrutiny to which they must be subjected varies
according to the annual income of the unit. There are three
bands:
Under £25,000:
Statement of accounts: This must consist of a
receipts and payments account, a statement of balances and a simple
annual report.
External scrutiny: This must consist of an
independent examination by a suitable person.
£25,001 up to £100,000:
Statement of accounts: This must consist of a
receipts and payments account, with a balance sheet and statement
of financial activities by way of a note to the accounts. The
annual report must include a financial report and an executive
report.
External scrutiny: An independent examination
by a suitable person is required unless the constitution requires
audit by a registered auditor.
£100,001 and over:
Statement of accounts: This must consist of a
receipts and payments account, with a balance sheet and statement
of financial activities by way of a note to the accounts. The
annual report must include a financial report and an executive
report.
External scrutiny: The accounts must be
audited by a registered auditor.
Independent
examination
All units' accounts should be examined by a
suitable independent person. The District Commissioner must ensure
that the accounts are examined and she may appoint a suitable
person to do this. This person should be thought by the District
Commissioner or Treasurer to possess the ability and practical
experience to make a competent examination of the accounts. They
should not be related to the unit Leader or the Commissioner. Once
the accounts have been examined and signed they should be forwarded
to the Division or County Treasurer and kept on file.
The independent examiner must compare the
accounts with the accounting records and decide whether they are in
accordance with each other. The examiner will also look for unusual
items or disclosures in the accounts.
The same process should be carried out at
District, Division and County level, and the examined accounts
forwarded on to the next level. This process should be followed for
all accounts held with Girlguiding UK.
Help and advice
For help or advice on your unit accounts, please contact your
local Commissioner, who may then refer you to your County Treasurer
or SHQ directly.
Page last updated: 12/22/2011