# Charity Finance Directors (Welcome PAC Report

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2002/07/02/charity-finance-directors-welcome-pac-report/
- Published: 2002-07-02T23:00:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

CFDG backs call for tougher action by the Charity Commission to deal with financial
mismanagement in charities.
The Charity Finance Directors’ Group has today welcomed
the publication of “Giving Confidently: The Role of the Charity Commission in Regulating
Charities” by the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Commons.

The new report urges the Charity Commission to act “quicker” and “more vigorously”
to ensure that charities file their annual accounts on time. It calls on the Commission
to make the most of the statutory powers it has.

Amongst other things, the report states that:

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 * 38% of charities do not submit their annual accounts on time or at all, or provide
   adequate information on performance;
 * The Charity Commission should plan investigations more systematically, complete
   investigations more quickly and make greater use of statutory powers to expedite
   problem cases;
 * One quarter of complaints against the Commission are upheld and that the Commission
   should give greater recognition to the lessons from feedback from these complaints;
 * The Commission should examine the scope for publishing comparative information
   on the performance of charities of similar type and size;
 * The Commission should make some sample checks on prospective new trustees; and
 * The Commission should reduce the time it takes to complete inquiries.

CFDG Director, Shirley Scott welcomed the report and stated: “If we are to raise
the quality of the financial management of charities there are responsibilities 
for Charities and for the Charity Commission. After previous reports found ‘serious
shortcomings’ in the Commission’s performance in this area, this much welcome report
has highlighted the excellent progress the Charity Commission has made. By working
with them we hope to be able to further raise public confidence in the financial
management of charities.”

 * **[Justgiving wins New Media Age award](https://fundraising.co.uk/2002/07/02/justgiving-wins-new-media-age-award/)**(
   2 July 2002)
 * **[Professional Fundraising twice monthly](https://fundraising.co.uk/2002/07/02/professional-fundraising-twice-monthly/)**(
   2 July 2002)
 * **[West Berkshire voluntary sector review](https://fundraising.co.uk/2002/07/02/west-berkshire-voluntary-sector-review/)**(
   2 July 2002)