Formats for Annual Reports were covered at VAC's AGM training course on 30 June, and delegates suggested that this information be circulated more widely. Charity annual reports must meet requirements set down by the Charity Commission, whilst limited companies must follow Companies House requirements. Charitable companies (such as Voluntary Action Coventry) must follow both. A relatively new development is the requirement for charities to describe in their Annual Report how their activities deliver public benefit.

We have found the following headings to be helpful in structuring our Annual Report to meet both sets of requirements:

• Structure, Governance and Management
  o Governing document
  o Appointment of trustees
  o Trustee induction and training
  o Organisation
  o Related parties
  o Risk management
• Objectives and activities
• How our activities deliver public benefit
• Achievements and performance
• Developments since the Year End, and plans for future periods
• Financial review
• Reserves policy
• Investment policy
• Auditors

in addition to the detailed information related to auditing requirements, and details of our charity & company numbers, registered office, directors, Company Secretary, bankers, and management team.

For further detail, see the Charity Commission website 

The specific items which must be included in an Annual Report can be found here:

http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Publications/cc15b.aspx#h

Many charities (including VAC) publish both a formal Annual Report (covering all legal requirements and including accounts in full) and a more informal Annual Review. The Annual Review has no legal standing and therefore can be more flexible in the information it contains and the format it uses, provided that the formal Annual Report covers the legal requirements. Examples of both are attached below.