Help with Governance

Given the amount of law with which charities need to comply, it is perhaps hardly surprising that some struggle to cope. There are the annual requirements of the Charity Commission to file returns, reports and accounts, with the risk of being labelled as 'late' on the Charity Commission website. There is the need to comply with the Charities Act as to what you can do within your constitution, who you can get to do it, and whether you can pay them.

If you are also a company, you have to comply with Companies House deadlines as well - with an additional risk of having to pay a penalty if you get it wrong.

If you employ staff, the whole range of employment law imposes lots more requirements, with the attendant risks of unfair dismissal and discrimination claims in tribunals, and possible large pay-outs.

Help is at hand. Cross Keys Associates can ensure that you navigate your way safely though the minefield, leaving you free to concentrate on what you want to do - to raise money for your chosen cause and to spend it for the benefit of the public.

Our legal support service operates on a subscription basis, so there are no unexpected bills at the end of the process.

Gold Package

Our Gold package means that we take over the administration of the charity to ensure you comply with your requirements. We will:-

• ensure that your details are kept up to date at the Charity Commission;
• ensure that you comply with Charity Commission deadlines;
• prepare and submit your annual return, annual report and accounts;
• consider your governing document and advise you if it needs updating;
• help you to amend the governing document if required;
• provide you with telephone and email support.

If you are a limited company then this covers all the above, plus complying with Companies House requirements.

We do not undertake the preparation of accounts for companies, although we can advise. We may be able to arrange for independent inspection of accounts for you.

Silver Package

Our Silver package is the ‘cheap and cheerful’ option. You pay us an annual subscription and in exchange we will provide you with telephone and email support. This isn’t just a question answering service. It’s a case of helping you to work through the problem and, if necessary, doing the work for you, all as part of your subscription. There are limits, of course – we’re not going to run the charity for you!  We will supply you with terms and conditions on request.