When I read a set of charity accounts, believe it or not, I read the Trustees' report first and don't just look at the figures. Most of the time, but not always, there will be a small paragraph telling me that the trustees have either undergone some formal training or, more often than not, have undergone some sort of induction process.

This process usually includes giving them some documentation to read, which may or may not include some booklet or other issued by the Charity Commission.

Am I being a cynic when I say that I doubt its effectiveness? Not when for example,one of the first duties of a trustee is to ensure that proper accounts are prepared on a timely basis. The number of substantial charities (and by that, I mean those who are required to have an independent examination or audit) that file their accounts late or just before the filing deadline at the Charity Commission would shock you. The standard of the information supplied is often inadequate.

If that is a sample of the standard of training that trustees get, then they are certainly not taking their responsibilities seriously. Remember that trustees are liable for charity failings. It is a criminal offence not to provide annual documents when required by the Charity Commission. So, ask yourself this question: if I can't get the simple task of filing accounts right, what else is wrong, and thus, is my training adequate?

Training costs very little but can save a lot of heartache. It can be tailored to your charity and tagged on to a trustee meeting, either in person or online.

Take the Charity Governance Code. It provides an excellent framework for improving charity governance and trustee effectiveness. The code emphasises key principles such as leadership, integrity, decision-making, risk control, and board effectiveness. Adopting it can and does help ensure that trustees are not only aware of their responsibilities but are also equipped to fulfil them effectively.Yet you would be horrified at how many trustee boards have never even heard about the code let alone measured their own charity against it.

If you would like to discuss your training needs or how to implement the Governance Code, why not ring me on 07896 894 711 or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..