Financial Transparency & Annual Reports

Our commitment

The trustees are committed to full financial transparency. We prepare annual financial statements on an accruals basis, in line with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) as recommended by the Charities Regulatory Authority for Irish charities, and we do not treat any part of our accounts as confidential to donors.

Independent examination and audit

Our annual financial statements are subject to independent examination by a qualified accountant who is not connected with the charity. Should our gross income exceed the statutory threshold requiring a full statutory audit, the trustees will appoint a registered auditor and publish the audit report in full alongside the accounts. The examiner's or auditor's report is published unamended, including any qualification or matter drawn to attention.

Annual returns to the Charities Regulatory Authority

We file an annual return with the Charities Regulatory Authority within ten months of each financial year end, as required of every charity on the Register of Charities. Our public entry, including our filed returns, may be inspected at any time on the Register of Charities under RCN 20141004.

Publication of reports

Our Trustees' Annual Report and financial statements for each completed financial year are published on request and made available at the Annual General Meeting, which is open to all members and to any member of the public who wishes to attend. To request a copy of the most recent report, email randolph-bevx@gmx.com or write to the Honorary Treasurer at Ardamullivan, Shanaglish, Co. Galway, H91 CA30, Ireland. Copies are provided free of charge.

Financial controls

• All payments above €250 require dual authorisation by two unconnected signatories, one of whom must be the Honorary Treasurer or the Chairperson.
• No cash is held on site beyond a petty cash float of €150, reconciled monthly against receipts.
• Purchases above €2,000 require three written quotations and a board minute recording the selection.
• Restricted donations are tracked in a separate fund ledger and reported separately in the accounts.
• The register of trustees' interests is reviewed at every board meeting, and any trustee with an interest in a proposed transaction withdraws from the decision.

Trustee remuneration and expenses

No trustee receives, and no trustee has ever received, remuneration, salary, fee or benefit-in-kind from the charity. Trustees may claim only vouched, pre-approved out-of-pocket expenses such as fuel for the transport of plant stock or materials. Total trustee expenses are disclosed as a separate line in the annual accounts.

Reserves policy

The trustees have set a target of holding unrestricted reserves equivalent to between three and six months of operating costs. This protects our commitments to landowners, insurance obligations and aftercare of newly planted stock, which cannot simply be paused if income falls. Reserves outside this range are explained in the annual report together with the plan to restore them to target.

Fundraising standards

We do not employ professional fundraisers, use commission-based fundraising, or engage in door-to-door or street collection. Donations are solicited only through this website, at our own open days, and through direct correspondence with supporters who have asked to hear from us. Every donation is acknowledged in writing by the Honorary Treasurer, and any donor may request that we cease contacting them at any time.