- Latest available (Revised)
- Point in Time (01/04/2006)
- Original (As enacted)
Version Superseded: 13/12/2006
Point in time view as at 01/04/2006.
There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Charities Act 1993 (repealed), Part VI.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. At the current time any known changes or effects made by subsequent legislation have been applied to the text of the legislation you are viewing by the editorial team. Please see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for details regarding the timescales for which new effects are identified and recorded on this site.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Pt. VI (ss. 41-48) modified (1.1.1999) by 1998 No. 1, s. 3(3); Archbishops Instrument dated 14.10.1998
Commencement Information
I1Pt. VI (ss. 41-48) wholly in force at 1.3.1996; Pt. VI (ss. 41-48) not in force at Royal Assent see s. 99(2); Pt. VI (ss. 41-48) in force for certain purposes at 15.10.1995 by S.I. 1995/2695, art. 3 (with art. 4); Pt. VI (ss. 41-48) in force for all other purposes at 1.3.1996 by S.I. 1995/2695, art. 2 (with art. 4)
(1)The charity trustees of a charity shall ensure that accounting records are kept in respect of the charity which are sufficient to show and explain all the charity’s transactions, and which are such as to—
(a)disclose at any time, with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the charity at that time, and
(b)enable the trustees to ensure that, where any statements of accounts are prepared by them under section 42(1) below, those statements of accounts comply with the requirements of regulations under that provision.
(2)The accounting records shall in particular contain—
(a)entries showing from day to day all sums of money received and expended by the charity, and the matters in respect of which the receipt and expenditure takes place; and
(b)a record of the assets and liabilities of the charity.
(3)The charity trustees of a charity shall preserve any accounting records made for the purposes of this section in respect of the charity for at least six years from the end of the financial year of the charity in which they are made.
(4)Where a charity ceases to exist within the period of six years mentioned in subsection (3) above as it applies to any accounting records, the obligation to preserve those records in accordance with that subsection shall continue to be discharged by the last charity trustees of the charity, unless the Commissioners consent in writing to the records being destroyed or otherwise disposed of.
(5)Nothing in this section applies to a charity which is a company.
(1)The charity trustees of a charity shall (subject to subsection (3) below) prepare in respect of each financial year of the charity a statement of accounts complying with such requirements as to its form and contents as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.
(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, regulations under that subsection may make provision—
(a)for any such statement to be prepared in accordance with such methods and principles as are specified or referred to in the regulations;
(b)as to any information to be provided by way of notes to the accounts;
and regulations under that subsection may also make provision for determining the financial years of a charity for the purposes of this Act and any regulations made under it.
(3)Where a charity’s gross income in any financial year does not exceed [F1£100,000], the charity trustees may, in respect of that year, elect to prepare the following, namely—
(a)a receipts and payments account, and
(b)a statement of assets and liabilities,
instead of a statement of accounts under subsection (1) above.
(4)The charity trustees of a charity shall preserve—
(a)any statement of accounts prepared by them under subsection (1) above, or
(b)any account and statement prepared by them under subsection (3) above,
for at least six years from the end of the financial year to which any such statement relates or (as the case may be) to which any such account and statement relate.
(5)Subsection (4) of section 41 above shall apply in relation to the preservation of any such statement or account and statement as it applies in relation to the preservation of any accounting records (the references to subsection (3) of that section being read as references to subsection (4) above).
(6)The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (3) above by substituting a different sum for the sum for the time being specified there.
(7)Nothing in this section applies to a charity which is a company.
Textual Amendments
F1Figure in s. 42(3) substituted (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1995/2696, art. 2(3)
(1)Subsection (2) below applies to a financial year of a charity (“the relevant year”) if the charity’s gross income or total expenditure in any of the following, namely—
(a)the relevant year,
(b)the financial year of the charity immediately preceding the relevant year (if any), and
(c)the financial year of the charity immediately preceding the year specified in paragraph (b) above (if any),
exceeds [F2£250,000].
(2)If this subsection applies to a financial year of a charity, the accounts of the charity for that year shall be audited by a person who—
(a)is, in accordance with section 25 of the M1Companies Act 1989 (eligibility for appointment), eligible for appointment as a company auditor, or
(b)is a member of a body for the time being specified in regulations under section 44 below and is under the rules of that body eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity.
(3)If subsection (2) above does not apply to a financial year of a charity [F3and its gross income or total expenditure in that year exceeds £10,000], then (subject to subsection (4) below) the accounts of the charity for that year shall, at the election of the charity trustees, either—
(a)be examined by an independent examiner, that is to say an independent person who is reasonably believed by the trustees to have the requisite ability and practical experience to carry out a competent examination of the accounts, or
(b)be audited by such a person as is mentioned in subsection (2) above.
(4)Where it appears to the Commissioners—
(a)that subsection (2), or (as the case may be) subsection (3) above, has not been complied with in relation to a financial year of a charity within ten months from the end of that year, or
(b)that, although subsection (2) above does not apply to a financial year of a charity, it would nevertheless be desirable for the accounts of the charity for that year to be audited by such a person as is mentioned in that subsection,
the Commissioners may by order require the accounts of the charity for that year to be audited by such a person as is mentioned in that subsection.
(5)If the Commissioners make an order under subsection (4) above with respect to a charity, then unless—
(a)the order is made by virtue of paragraph (b) of that subsection, and
(b)the charity trustees themselves appoint an auditor in accordance with the order,
the auditor shall be a person appointed by the Commissioners.
(6)The expenses of any audit carried out by an auditor appointed by the Commissioners under subsection (5) above, including the auditor’s remuneration, shall be recoverable by the Commissioners—
(a)from the charity trustees of the charity concerned, who shall be personally liable, jointly and severally, for those expenses; or
(b)to the extent that it appears to the Commissioners not to be practical to seek recovery of those expenses in accordance with paragraph (a) above, from the funds of the charity.
(7)The Commissioners may—
(a)give guidance to charity trustees in connection with the selection of a person for appointment as an independent examiner;
(b)give such directions as they think appropriate with respect to the carrying out of an examination in pursuance of subsection (3)(a) above;
and any such guidance or directions may either be of general application or apply to a particular charity only.
(8)The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (1) [F4or (3)] above by substituting a different sum for the sum for the time being specified there.
(9)Nothing in this section applies to a charity which is a company.
[F5(10)Nothing in this section applies in relation to a financial year of a charity where, at any time in the year, a charity is an English National Health Service charity or Welsh National Health Service charity (as defined in sections 43A and 43B respectively).]
Textual Amendments
F2Figure in s. 43(1) substituted (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1995/2696, art. 2(3)
F3Words in s. 43(3) inserted (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 28(2), 82(3)(b)
F4Words in s. 43(8) inserted (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 28(3), 82(3)(b)
F5S. 43(10) inserted (E.W.) (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by Regulatory Reform (National Health Service Charitable and Non-Charitable Trust Accounts and Audit) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1074), arts. 1(2), 3(2)
Marginal Citations
(1)This section applies in relation to a financial year of a charity where, at any time in the year, the charity is an English National Health Service charity.
(2)In any case where the criterion set out in subsection (1) of section 43 is met in respect of a financial year of an English National Health Service charity, the accounts of the charity for that financial year shall be audited by a person appointed by the Audit Commission.
(3)In any other case, the accounts of the charity for that financial year shall, at the election of the Audit Commission, be—
(a)audited by a person appointed by the Audit Commission; or
(b)examined by a person so appointed.
(4)Section 3 of the Audit Commission Act 1998 (c. 18) applies in relation to any appointment under subsection (2) or (3)(a).
(5)The Commissioners may give such directions as they think appropriate with respect to the carrying out of an examination in pursuance of subsection (3)(b); and any such directions may either be of general application or apply to a particular charity only.
(6)The Comptroller and Auditor General may at any time examine and inspect—
(a)the accounts of the charity for the financial year;
(b)any records relating to those accounts; and
(c)any report of a person appointed under subsection (2) or (3) to audit or examine those accounts.
(7)In this section—
“Audit Commission” means the Audit Commission for Local Authorities and the National Health Service in England and Wales; and
“English National Health Service charity” means a charitable trust, the trustees of which are—
a Strategic Health Authority;
a Primary Care Trust;
a National Health Service trust all or most of whose hospitals, establishments and facilities are situated in England;
trustees appointed in pursuance of section 11 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19), or special trustees appointed in pursuance of section 29(1) of the National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1973 (c. 32) and section 95(1) of the National Health Service Act 1977 (c. 49), for a National Health Service trust falling within paragraph (c); or
trustees for a Primary Care Trust appointed in pursuance of section 96B of the National Health Service Act 1977.
Textual Amendments
F6Ss. 43A, 43B inserted (E.W.) (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by Regulatory Reform (National Health Service Charitable and Non-Charitable Trust Accounts and Audit) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1074), arts. 1(2), 3(3)
(1)This section applies in relation to a financial year of a charity where, at any time in the year, the charity is a Welsh National Health Service charity.
(2)In any case where the criterion set out in subsection (1) of section 43 is met in respect of a financial year of a Welsh National Health Service charity, the accounts of the charity for that financial year shall be audited by the Auditor General for Wales.
(3)In any other case, the accounts of the charity for that financial year shall, at the election of the Auditor General for Wales, be audited or examined by the Auditor General for Wales.
(4)In this section—
“Welsh National Health Service charity” means a charitable trust, the trustees of which are—
a Local Health Board;
a National Health Service trust all or most of whose hospitals, establishments and facilities are situated in Wales; or
trustees appointed in pursuance of section 11 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19), or special trustees appointed in pursuance of section 29(1) of the National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1973 (c. 32) and section 95(1) of the National Health Service Act 1977 (c. 49), for a National Health Service trust falling within paragraph (b).]
Textual Amendments
F6Ss. 43A, 43B inserted (E.W.) (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by Regulatory Reform (National Health Service Charitable and Non-Charitable Trust Accounts and Audit) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1074), arts. 1(2), 3(3)
(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision—
(a)specifying one or more bodies for the purposes of section 43(2)(b) above;
(b)with respect to the duties of an auditor carrying out an audit under section 43 above, including provision with respect to the making by him of a report on—
(i)the statement of accounts prepared for the financial year in question under section 42(1) above, or
(ii)the account and statement so prepared under section 42(3) above,
as the case may be;
(c)with respect to the making by an independent examiner of a report in respect of an examination carried out by him under section 43 above;
(d)conferring on such an auditor or on an independent examiner a right of access with respect to books, documents and other records (however kept) which relate to the charity concerned;
(e)entitling such an auditor or an independent examiner to require, in the case of a charity, information and explanations from past or present charity trustees or trustees for the charity, or from past or present officers or employees of the charity;
(f)enabling the Commissioners, in circumstances specified in the regulations, to dispense with the requirements of section 43(2) or (3) above in the case of a particular charity or in the case of any particular financial year of a charity.
(2)If any person fails to afford an auditor or an independent examiner any facility to which he is entitled by virtue of subsection (1)(d) or (e) above, the Commissioners may by order give—
(a)to that person, or
(b)to the charity trustees for the time being of the charity concerned,
such directions as the Commissioners think appropriate for securing that the default is made good.
(3)Section 727 of the M2Companies Act 1985 (power of court to grant relief in certain cases) shall have effect in relation to an auditor or independent examiner appointed by a charity in pursuance of section 43 above as it has effect in relation to a person employed as auditor by a company within the meaning of that Act.
(1)The charity trustees of a charity shall prepare in respect of each financial year of the charity an annual report containing—
(a)such a report by the trustees on the activities of the charity during that year, and
(b)such other information relating to the charity or to its trustees or officers,
as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.
(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, regulations under that subsection may make provision—
(a)for any such report as is mentioned in paragraph (a) of that subsection to be prepared in accordance with such principles as are specified or referred to in the regulations;
(b)enabling the Commissioners to dispense with any requirement prescribed by virtue of subsection (1)(b) above in the case of a particular charity or a particular class of charities, or in the case of a particular financial year of a charity or of any class of charities.
(3)[F7Where in any financial year of a charity its gross income or total expenditure exceeds £10,000, the annual report required to be prepared under this section in respect of that year] shall be transmitted to the Commissioners by the charity trustees—
(a)within ten months from the end of that year, or
(b)within such longer period as the Commissioners may for any special reason allow in the case of that report.
[F8(3A)Where in any financial year of a charity neither its gross income nor its total expenditure exceeds £10,000, the annual report required to be prepared under this section in respect of that year shall, if the Commissioners so request, be transmitted to them by the charity trustees—
(a)in the case of a request made before the end of seven months from the end of the financial year to which the report relates, within ten months from the end of that year, and
(b)in the case of a request not so made, within three months from the date of the request,
or, in either case, within such longer period as the Commissioners may for any special reason allow in the case of that report.]
(4)Subject to subsection (5) below, [F9any annual report transmitted to the Commissioners under this section] shall have attached to it the statement of accounts prepared for the financial year in question under section 42(1) above or (as the case may be) the account and statement so prepared under section 42(3) above, together with—
(a)where the accounts of the charity for that year have been audited under section 43[F10, 43A or 43B] above, a copy of the report made by the auditor on that statement of accounts or (as the case may be) on that account and statement;
(b)where the accounts of the charity for that year have been examined under section 43[F11, 43A or 43B] above, a copy of the report made by the [F12person carrying out the examination].
(5)Subsection (4) above does not apply to a charity which is a company, and any annual report transmitted by the charity trustees of such a charity under [F13this section] shall instead have attached to it a copy of the charity’s annual accounts prepared for the financial year in question under Part VII of the M3Companies Act 1985, together with a copy of [F14any auditors’ report or report made for the purposes of section 249A(2) of that Act] on those accounts.
(6)Any annual report transmitted to the Commissioners under [F13this section], together with the documents attached to it, shall be kept by the Commissioners for such period as they think fit.
[F15(7)The charity trustees of a charity shall preserve, for at least six years from the end of the financial year to which it relates, any annual report prepared by them under subsection (1) above which they have not been required to transmit to the Commissioners.
(8)Subsection (4) of section 41 above shall apply in relation to the preservation of any such annual report as it applies in relation to the preservation of any accounting records (the references in subsection (3) of that section being read as references to subsection (7) above).
(9)The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (3) or (3A) above by substituting a different sum for the sum for the time being specified there.]
Textual Amendments
F7Words in s. 45(3) substituted (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 29(1), 82(3)(b)
F8S. 45(3A) inserted (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 29(2), 82(3)(b)
F9Words in s. 45(4) substituted (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 29(3), 82(3)(b)
F10Words in s. 45(4)(a) inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by Regulatory Reform (National Health Service Charitable and Non-Charitable Trust Accounts and Audit) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1074), arts. 1(2), 3(4)(a)
F11Words in s. 45(4)(b) inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by Regulatory Reform (National Health Service Charitable and Non-Charitable Trust Accounts and Audit) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1074), arts. 1(2), 3(4)(a)
F12Words in s. 45(4)(b) substituted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by Regulatory Reform (National Health Service Charitable and Non-Charitable Trust Accounts and Audit) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1074), arts. 1(2), 3(4)(b)
F13Words in s. 45(5)(6) substituted (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 29(4)(5), 82(3)(b)
F14Words in s. 45(5) substituted (11.8.1994) by S.I. 1994/1935 reg. 4, Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 6
F15S. 45(7)-(9) inserted (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 29(6), 82(3)(b)
Marginal Citations
(1)Nothing in sections 41 to 45 above applies to any exempt charity; but the charity trustees of an exempt charity shall keep proper books of account with respect to the affairs of the charity, and if not required by or under the authority of any other Act to prepare periodical statements of account shall prepare consecutive statements of account consisting on each occasion of an income and expenditure account relating to a period of not more than fifteen months and a balance sheet relating to the end of that period.
(2)The books of accounts and statements of account relating to an exempt charity shall be preserved for a period of six years at least unless the charity ceases to exist and the Commissioners consent in writing to their being destroyed or otherwise disposed of.
(3)Nothing in [F16section 43, 44 or 45] above applies to any charity which—
(a)falls within section 3(5)(c) above, and
(b)is not registered.
(4)Except in accordance with subsection (7) below, nothing in section 45 above applies to any charity (other than an exempt charity or a charity which falls within section 3(5)(c) above) which—
(a)is excepted by section 3(5) above, and
(b)is not registered.
(5)If requested to do so by the Commissioners, the charity trustees of any such charity as is mentioned in subsection (4) above shall prepare an annual report in respect of such financial year of the charity as is specified in the Commissioners’ request.
(6)Any report prepared under subsection (5) above shall contain—
(a)such a report by the charity trustees on the activities of the charity during the year in question, and
(b)such other information relating to the charity or to its trustees or officers,
as may be prescribed by regulations made under section 45(1) above in relation to annual reports prepared under that provision.
(7)Subsections (3) to (6) of section 45 [F17(as originally enacted)] above shall apply to any report required to be prepared under subsection (5) above as if it were an annual report required to be prepared under subsection (1) of that section.
(8)Any reference in this section to a charity which falls within section 3(5)(c) above includes a reference to a charity which falls within that provision but is also excepted from registration by section 3(5)(b) above.
Textual Amendments
F16Words in s. 46(3) substituted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by Regulatory Reform (National Health Service Charitable and Non-Charitable Trust Accounts and Audit) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1074), arts. 1(2), 3(5)
F17Words in s. 46(7) inserted (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 29(7), 82(3)(b)
(1)Any annual report or other document kept by the Commissioners in pursuance of section 45(6) above shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable times—
(a)during the period for which it is so kept; or
(b)if the Commissioners so determine, during such lesser period as they may specify.
(2)Where any person—
(a)requests the charity trustees of a charity in writing to provide him with a copy of the charity’s most recent accounts, and
(b)pays them such reasonable fee (if any) as they may require in respect of the costs of complying with the request,
those trustees shall comply with the request within the period of two months beginning with the date on which it is made.
(3)In subsection (2) above the reference to a charity’s most recent accounts is—
F18(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b)in the case of [F19a charity other than one falling within paragraph (c) or (d) below], a reference to the statement of accounts or account and statement prepared in pursuance of section 42(1) or (3) above in respect of the last financial year of the charity in respect of which a statement of accounts or account and statement has or have been so prepared;
[F20(c)in the case of a charity which is a company, a reference to the most recent annual accounts of the company prepared under Part VII of the Companies Act 1985 in relation to which any of the following conditions is satisfied—
(i)they have been audited
(ii)a report required for the purposes of section 249A(2) of that Act has been made in respect of them; or
(iii)they relate to a year in respect of which the company is exempt from audit by virtue of section 249A(1) of that Act; and]
(d)in the case of an exempt charity, a reference to the accounts of the charity most recently audited in pursuance of any statutory or other requirement or, if its accounts are not required to be audited, the accounts most recently prepared in respect of the charity.
Textual Amendments
F18S. 47(3)(a) repealed (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 39, 81, 82(3)(b), Sch. 11, para. 12(a), Sch. 17
F19Words in s. 47(3)(b) substituted (3.11.1994) by ss. 39, 82(3)(b), Sch. 11 para. 12(b)
F20S. 47(3)(c) substituted (11.8.1994) by S.I. 1994/1935, reg. 4, Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 7
(1)[F21Subject to subsection (1A) below,]Every registered charity shall prepare in respect of each of its financial years an annual return in such form, and containing such information, as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Commissioners.
[F22(1A)Subsection (1) above shall not apply in relation to any financial year of a charity in which neither the gross income nor the total expenditure of the charity exceeds £10,000.]
(2)Any such return shall be transmitted to the Commissioners by the date by which the charity trustees are, by virtue of section 45(3) above, required to transmit to them the annual report required to be prepared in respect of the financial year in question.
(3)The Commissioners may dispense with the requirements of subsection (1) above in the case of a particular charity or a particular class of charities, or in the case of a particular financial year of a charity or of any class of charities.
[F23(4)The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (1A) above by substituting a different sum for the sum for the time being specified there.]
Textual Amendments
F21Words in s. 48(1) inserted (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 30(2), 82(3)(b)
F22S. 48(1A) inserted (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 30(3), 82(3)(b)
F23S. 48(4) inserted (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 30(4), 82(3)(b)
Any person who, without reasonable excuse, is persistently in default in relation to any requirement imposed—
(a)by section 45(3) [F24or (3A)] above (taken with section 45(4) or (5), as the case may require), or
(b)by section 47(2) or 48(2) above,
shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
Textual Amendments
F24Words in s. 49(a) inserted (3.11.1994) by 1994 c. 40, ss. 29(8), 82(3)(b)
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: