Every charity that undergoes an independent examination needs this document. Here is what it is, what it contains, and why it matters for your charity.
An independent examiner report is a written document produced by your charity's independent examiner after they have reviewed your annual accounts. It tells trustees, donors, the Charity Commission, and anyone else who looks at your accounts what the examiner found during their review.
Think of it as a letter from your examiner to your charity's stakeholders, explaining whether your accounts are in good order and whether there are any concerns that need attention.
If your charity has an annual income over £25,000, the law requires you to have an independent examination. The examiner's report is the formal output of that process.
The Charity Commission will not accept your annual accounts filing without the examiner's report. It is a mandatory part of your annual return.
The report gives trustees peace of mind that someone independent has checked your accounts. It also reassures donors and funders that their money is being managed properly.
If the examiner finds any problems or has concerns, they will flag these in the report. This gives trustees a chance to address issues before they become serious.
An independent examiner report typically includes the following sections:
This identifies your charity, the examiner, and explains that the examination was carried out in accordance with the relevant regulations. It also confirms that the examiner is independent of your charity.
This section explains what the trustees are responsible for (preparing the accounts) and what the examiner is responsible for (examining the accounts and reporting their findings).
This describes the work the examiner did, including which records they checked and how they carried out their examination. It should explain that the examination followed the required procedures.
This is the most important part. The examiner will state one of the following:
Even if the examiner gives an unqualified opinion, they may still flag matters they think trustees should be aware of, such as accounting policies that could be improved or areas of concern.
The report should include the examiner's name, qualifications (if any), and contact details, along with their signature and the date of the report.
It is important to understand what an independent examiner report is and what it is not:
Once produced, the independent examiner report becomes a public document. It is filed with the Charity Commission alongside your annual accounts and is available for anyone to view on the Charity Commission register.
If the independent examiner issues a qualified report or raises matters for trustees' attention, this does not necessarily mean something is seriously wrong. It means the examiner has identified areas that need to be looked at.
As a trustee, you should:
Our specialist charity accountants can carry out your independent examination and produce the required report. We ensure everything is done correctly and filed on time.