Commission issues reminder to check and update your charity details

The Charity Commission has issued a reminder to all charities regarding the need to check and update their details before submitting their annual return.

Charity trustees are legally obliged to ensure that the details on the charity register are accurate and up to date.

In light of recent changes, the Commission has issued updated guidance. This includes:

  • Changes to public display names for trustees

Trustees will not be able to add a public display name on the charity register. Their full legal name will show to the public.

If current trustees have used the display name feature, this will be removed on the 1 April 2019 and their legal name will show to the public. If this would cause personal danger to an individual, special dispensation should be sought which be considered on a cases by case basis.

  • Changes to trustee and charity contact details

Charities must ensure that their trustees’ details are up to date, including the addition of any new trustees and their contact details. Additionally, charities are required to remove the details of any trustees who are no longer involved.

  • Changes to email addresses

All trustees must now provide an email address, or confirm that they do not have one.

  • Changes to bank account information

Details of all your charity’s UK bank/building society accounts must be provided to the Charity Commission to aid transparency during the audit trail.

At Moore Thompson, we work closely with charities throughout the year to help them comply with their reporting duties, so that there are hopefully no nasty surprises during the annual return and audit.

To find out how we can help your charity fulfil its accounting and reporting obligations so that your organisation maintains a financial clean bill of health, please contact us.