Common errors found in charity reports
Most reporting issues arise from incomplete information, inconsistent records, or misunderstandings of reporting requirements. Some of the most common errors include:
- Incorrect charity size classifications
- Missing or incomplete financial information
- Late Annual Information Statement (AIS) submissions
- Failure to disclose the responsible persons accurately
- Outdated governing documents or contact details
- Inconsistent information across different reporting documents
These issues are rarely deliberate. Instead, they typically stem from fragmented record-keeping, staff changes, or reporting processes that only receive attention once a year. The challenge for many organisations is that compliance responsibilities are shared across finance teams, management, and boards. Without clear ownership and review processes, errors can easily go unnoticed until reporting deadlines arrive.
Regulators often see inconsistencies between the information reported in the Annual Information Statement and the accompanying financial statements. Examples of this include:
- Revenue figures that differ between documents
- Inconsistent expense classifications
- Different reporting periods being referenced
- Contradictory information about activities or operations
These discrepancies can raise questions about the accuracy of an organisation’s financial controls and governance practices. Before lodging reports, organisations should perform a thorough reconciliation between the AIS and financial statements. Key financial figures should align, supporting schedules should be reviewed, and any unusual variances should be clearly explained. A final review by both management and the board can reduce the risk of reporting inconsistencies.
Governance Standard 5, which outlines the legal and fiduciary duties of a charity’s “Responsible People”, is one of the most important compliance obligations for charities and NFP boards. The standard requires charities to ensure that responsible persons, including directors, board members, and trustees, are suitable to hold their positions and understand their legal duties. Common areas that boards overlook include:
- Maintaining documented conflict of interest processes
- Ensuring directors understand their governance responsibilities
- Conducting regular reviews of board composition and suitability
- Keeping governance policies current and accessible
- Recording key governance decisions appropriately
Many organisations focus heavily on financial reporting; however, attention to governance documentation is equally important. Governance failures can attract the same level of regulatory concern as financial reporting errors. Board members should regularly review their governance framework and confirm that policies, registers, and meeting records remain up to date.
