Npo Description

CHARITY GOVERNANCE REVIEW 2013

The science of good governance Towards charity best practice

2013 highlights of the top 100 charities

14% of charities pay trustees for their time; 80% pay their expenses

31% of board positions are held by women, compared to 21% in the FTSE 100

7% explain how they plan to fund their activities and continue as a going concern 6% of charities use trustees’ biographies to demonstrate what skills, experience, diversity and value board members bring

56% of charities disclose they have a risk register. 25% say how often it is reviewed

The average annual report is 49 pages long compared to 141 pages for FTSE 350 companies

The average charity board has 13 trustees 81% of the annual reports give a good level of disclosure of the key risks the charity faces

27% make detailed disclosure of their future plans

75% of reports provide a clear summary of the charity’s main objectives

77% show how the charity performed against aims stated in previous reports

Contents

Foreword The regulator’s perspective Governance and structure – The role of trustees – Understanding the organisation – Representation on the board – Diversity of the board – The use of committees – Nomination committees – Rotation periods – Remuneration – Trustees’ expenses – Board effectiveness – Board evaluations – Structure Reporting against objectives – Objectives – Annual comparisons Understanding and managing risk – Understanding risk – Use of risk committees – Principal risks and uncertainties – Disclosure of main risks Reserves’ policies Assurance – External audit – Internal audit About us Contact us

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Methodology This report is based on a desktop review of the latest financial statements of the top 100 charities (by income) filed by Summer 2012. The range of financial year-ends means the financial statements reviewed span from 31 December 2010 to 31 March...