The Auditing Practices Board (APB) has today issued Bulletin 2009/3 which updates the example auditor’s reports in Bulletin 2009/1 for the effect of the Companies Act 2006. This Bulletin relates to accounting periods commencing on, or after, 6 April 2008 and supplements the guidance contained in Practice Note 11: ‘The Audit of Charities in the UK’ by providing illustrative examples of auditor’s reports for charities that are registered:

•  In England and Wales,
• In Scotland, and
• In both jurisdictions.

Richard Fleck, Chairman of APB commented:

“The interaction between the Companies Act 2006 and charity legislation in both England and Wales and Scotland is complex and auditors will need to think carefully before finalising their reports. Bulletin 2009/3 does not contain an example to cover every possible combination of legal structure and jurisdiction, although APB hopes that the examples which are provided will be helpful to auditors.”

A copy of the Bulletin may be downloaded free of charge from the publications section of the APB’s web site (http://www.frc.org.uk/apb/publications/pub2042.html). Printed copies at a cost of £5.00, will be available at the end of August 2009 from: FRC Publications, 145 London Road. Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT2 6SR. Telephone: 020 8247 1264. E-mail: customer.services@cch.co.uk. Website: www.frcpublications.com.

1. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is the UK’s independent regulator responsible for promoting confidence in corporate reporting and governance. Its functions are exercised principally by its operating bodies (the Accounting Standards Board, the Auditing Practices Board, the Board for Actuarial Standards, the Financial Reporting Review Panel, the Professional Oversight Board and the Accountancy and Actuarial Discipline Board) and by the FRC Board. The Committee on Corporate Governance assists the Board in its work on corporate governance.
2. The APB is committed to leading the development of auditing practice in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland so as to:
   • establish high standards of auditing;
   • meet the developing needs of users of financial information; and
   • ensure public confidence in the auditing process.
3. All press enquiries should be directed to: Jon Grant on Tel: 020 7492 2410.