Monitoring Scottish Charities

The statutory basis for the regulation of charities in Scotland is provided by the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (“the Act”) and supporting regulations. A copy of the Act and regulations are available to download.

 

One of OSCR’s objectives is to operate a proportionate regime of monitoring and supervising Scottish Charities. Our approach to monitoring has been shaped by two pilot programmes together with a public consultation undertaken in 2004.

 

From April 2006, all charities will be required to submit appropriate Financial Statements with their Annual Return. OSCR does not require recently completed accounts unless they are individually requested or attached to the Annual Return on submission to OSCR.

 

In addition, a Monitoring Return will also be issued to charities with an income of over £25,000. This Monitoring Return will require slightly less information from Charities with an income level that falls between £25,000 and £100,000. The Annual Return and Monitoring Return will be issued automatically by reference to the charity’s financial year end, starting with charities with a 31 March 2006 year end, with a deadline of 10 months from the year end date for completion. For accounting periods commencing on or after 1 April 2006 the deadline for the submission of returns and financial statements will be 9 months.