SORP 2005 documents

Charities preparing accruals accounts should use SORP 2005 when preparing their trustees’ annual reports and accounts for accounting periods beginning on or after 1st April 2005. An updated second edition, published in May 2008, takes into account changes made by the Charities Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and applicable Regulations.

Information Sheets may also be issued, from time to time, which provides informal guidance on the application of the SORP to assist practitioners preparing accounts. Information Sheets do not form part of the SORP, nor are they reviewed by the ASB, they simply attempt to explain and illustrate what is already recommended by the SORP.

The following documents are available on our website to assist preparers of charity accounts:

The Charities SORP 2005 (PDF English – 521kb)*
This is the full text of the 2nd edition of the document, updated in May 2008, in colour. A printed version of this can be obtained (cost £15) from CCH by phone 0870 777 2906 (8.30am to 5.30pm weekdays) or order online at www.cch.co.uk or email customerservices@cch.co.uk quoting product code CCSORP.

*Threshold changes
The Charities SORP 2005 provides details of accounting and reporting thresholds which have been changed by order for accounting periods ending on or after 1 April 2009. The details of these threshold changes should be downloaded in conjunction with the SORP to ensure fully up to date information in relation to thresholds.

Information Sheet 1 - Technical Application Issues
Information Sheet 2 - Statement of Principles for Financial Reporting Interpretation for Public Benefit Entities
Information Sheet 3 - Financial Reporting Standard 30: Heritage Assets

SORP FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers about the SORP.

The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008
These regulations provide legal basis for the preparation of charity accounts for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 April 2008.

The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2005
These regulations provide legal basis for the preparation of charity accounts for accounting periods commencing before 1st April 2008.

The following documents provide additional resources to assist with the preparation of accruals accounts under SORP 2005.

CC17 Accruals Accounts Pack SORP 2005
This pack provides a template for the trustees’ annual report and accounts which may assist non company charities with income under the statutory audit threshold set out their report and accounts in SORP 2005 format.

Examples Accounts SORP 2005
These documents provide a number of example reports prepared under SORP 2005 and may be helpful to charities when designing the layout and format of their own accounts.

ICAEW / CAF Accounts Award winners set an example
The ‘Charities' Online Accounts Awards’ recognise excellence in financial reporting and encourage best practice in online financial accounts with examples of all sizes of charity. Take a look at these award winners for some practical assistance in preparing high quality reports and accounts.

Charity reserves and Defined Benefit Pension Schemes
Guidance for those charities with defined benefit pension schemes.

Charities and risk management
Guidance on how to undertake and report on risk management in charities.

Charities and Social Investment
Guidance on programme related investment.