This guide aims to make reading a set of charity accounts simple for those new to the charity sector. Most of the basic accounting principles apply, but they have to be adapted to fit the non-commercial nature of some charity transactions.

This guide covers fund accounting, different types of charity and what to consider when reading a charity’s accounts and assessing a charity’s performance.

Latest version updated January 2016

The content of guides is correct at the time stated above but inevitably legal changes, case law and new financial reporting standards will change. You are therefore advised to check any particular actions you plan to take with the appropriate authority before committing yourself. No responsibility is accepted by the authors for reliance placed on the content of this guide.