First and foremost, I want to thank you for being a member of our Charity Community – we really value your ongoing support.

I’m really passionate about encouraging, enabling and empowering more people, and in particular ICAEW students and members, to work with charities. Their work, and the difference they make, is integral to the communities in which we live and work, as well as wider society – and we can play our part in this.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we have remained active as a community – sharing thought leadership and running events, to support you and the charities you work with to navigate the key issues facing charities and the charity sector. For example, this included guidance on 'COVID-19 implications for charity accounting'.

Over the next year, we will continue to deliver a full programme – taking into account the latest hot topics as well as reinforcing areas of particular relevance or interest.

Our content in 2022 will aim to:

• Enhance quality, communication and trust in the financial reporting and external scrutiny of charities
• Raise awareness of the charity sector’s role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and measuring impact
• Showcase best practice in internal reporting for decision making, efficient operations and strategic planning
• Help you improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your non-profit, using data science and technology
• Strengthen the support that charity finance professionals offer the charity sector by attracting talent and promoting diversity and inclusion

If you have any ideas or thoughts, please contact Kristina Kopic, ICAEW’s Head of Charity and Voluntary Sector (kristina.kopic@icaew.com).

• Free access to our sector-specific interactive webinars. In 2021, topics included the updated Charity Governance Code, transparent reporting, legal structures of charities, fraud prevention, independent examinations, implementing accounting systems in small charities, updates from the Charity Commission…you can catch up on any of these and more by visiting our library of recordings.
• Improve your knowledge with bespoke technical content and quarterly e-newsletters.
• Exclusive rates at our half-day technical updates on charity accounting, tax and governance.
• Discounted rate for our popular Charity Conference, next held on 20 and 21 January 2022.

ICAEW offers broader support for the charity sector, including our Volunteering Community, and connects charities and other not-for-profits with ICAEW members via ICAEWVolunteers.com. ICAEW offers free online Trustee Training that you may also share with the trustee boards you work with. It is suitable for charity trustees looking to consolidate their knowledge or those considering taking on their first role, and does not assume financial expertise. The training has been designed with experts from the charity sector and provides an overview of charity trustees’ legal and financial responsibilities, and their strategic and operational considerations.

Thank you and we look forward to your continued engagement with our community.

Dan