In a move to create a more unified approach, the four charity regulators of the UK and Ireland will start working together as a single charity sector SORP-making body to develop the accounting framework for use across all four charity law jurisdictions.

The UK standard setter, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), has approved the addition of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and the Charities  Regulatory Authority for the Republic of Ireland as joint members of the SORP-making body with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

The inclusion of the Charities Regulatory Authority is subject to the SORP being formally adopted by through statute in the Republic of Ireland.

Statements of Recommended Practice (SORPs) are sector-driven recommendations on financial reporting, auditing practices and actuarial practices for specialised sectors.

The existing charity SORPs (Statements of Recommended Practice) have been set by the Charity Commission for England and Wales and the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). The SORP-making body is responsible for overseeing the SORP and publishing it.

Since 2010 both the Charity Commission (Northern Ireland) and the  Charities  Regulatory Authority  had been observer members on the advisory charities SORP Committee.

The enlarged SORP-making body will work towards a new charities SORP building on the foundation of the existing SORP to promote a common approach to high quality reporting by charities whilst respecting local differences and legal requirements.

The regulators will begin developing the new SORP from January 2019.

Frances McCandless, chief executive of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland said: ‘This renewed partnership will allow us to work closely together to create a high quality reporting and accounting framework for charities that can command the confidence of donors and funders across the UK and Ireland.’

John Farrelly, chief executive of the  Charities Regulatory Authority for the Republic of Ireland said: ‘We welcome this step and are confident that this collaboration will result in an effective   common reporting and accounting framework suitable for all four jurisdictions that also respects the unique reporting requirements for both Ireland and the UK.’

David Robb, chief executive of OSCR said: “The charities SORP has a long history and we look forward to working together to ensure high quality, proportionate reporting and accounting which is crucial in order for charities to demonstrate that they operate transparently and can be trusted in the eyes of the public.’

Helen Stephenson, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission for England and Wales said: ‘We know from our research and case work that the public care deeply about how charities operate. I hope that this will equip us all to help charities rise to the challenge of addressing public concern and explaining their impact through accurate and meaningful reporting. There remains much to be done here and the SORP has a key role to play.’

Report by Sara White