SORP 2026: What Trustees of Small Charities Need to Know

Grab your copy of my book Charity Finance from A - ZCheck out ExpensePlus and sign up for a month's free trial and 10% off your first year's subscription, using my referral link http://expenseplus.co.uk/r/AI-BANCSORP 2026 is now published, and while it’s often described as a technical accounting update, its biggest implications for small charities are about clarity, explanation, and good governance, not technical detail.In this episode, Aishat speaks directly to trustees of small charities, particularly those without finance backgrounds or in-house finance teams. The focus is on what trustees need to understand, what they don’t need to worry about, and the questions they should feel confident asking.KEY TAKEAWAYSORP 2026 is not about doing more accounting; it’s about clearer explanation and transparencyTrustees don’t need to know the technical detail, but they do need to ask whether accounts reflect the updated frameworkImpact reporting matters for small charities, but it’s about storytelling, not complex measurementThe Trustees’ Annual Report is a key trustee responsibility: it should clearly link activities, outcomes, use of funds, and public benefitRestricted funds still require clear explanation, regardless of charity sizeRESOURCESCharities SORP 2026 (official guidance)BEST MOMENTS“Trustees are not expected to become experts in SORP, you’re expected to understand enough to ask the right questions.”“The Trustees’ Annual Report is your voice as a board: it should reflect what you believe is happening in the charity, not just what the numbers say.”“Asking whether the accounts reflect the updated SORP isn’t micromanagement; it’s good governance.”ABOUT YOUR HOSTAishat operates her own bookkeeping and accounting services practice –BAnC Services – which focuses primarily on serving non-profits. Before founding her practice, she dedicated over two decades to the non-profit sector.With her podcast, Aishat shares practical insights and expertise to streamline financial management for non-profits, while also shining a light on the often unseen and unheard efforts that uphold the delivery of a non-profit’s mission.She is the author of Charity Finance from A to Z“ – a practical guide designed to demystify finance for those working in the charity sector.Beyond her professional endeavours with non-profits, Aishat is deeply committed to supporting single mothers in navigating financial challenges and champions financial literacy among young Black adults. She thrives in conversations about money, empowerment, and purposeful work.Work with Aishat: www.bancservices.co.ukCONNECTInstagramTikTok