The SORP-making body, made up of the charity regulators across the UK, held a public consultation earlier this year and NICVA hosted an information seminar on the draft changes. Now that SORP 2026 has been published, charities preparing accounts on the accruals basis will have to apply it to their accounting periods from 1 January. Full details of the new Charities SORP and a summary outlining the changes made to each module can be accessed at www.charitysorp.org
Frances McCandless, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland said
“We encourage all charities in Northern Ireland to take time to familiarise themselves with the new framework, consider what it means for their reporting, and seek advice if needed. The Commission will continue to support the sector through the introduction of the new SORP to ensure charities have what they need to comply confidently and communicate effectively.”
Key changes
The Charity Commission has identified that the key changes which will take effect for accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2026, include:
- New requirements for how charities should report on certain types of income and lease arrangements. The SORP now includes charity sector specific examples to assist charities in applying new requirements introduced by the Financial Reporting Council’s update to Financial Reporting Standard 102.
- Three new tiers that set out expectations for increased transparency for the largest charities:
Tier 1 – for charities with income up to £500,000
Tier 2 - for charities with income between £500,000 - £15 million
Tier 3 - for charities with income above £15 million.
- Refreshed Trustees Annual Report requirements, with further guidance added on how to report financial reserves and plans about the future. Areas of particular public and donor interest – including impact reporting, environmental, social and governance issues – now have dedicated sections, with associated guidance on reporting.
- Updates to how charities should account for social investments, making it simpler for charities to report on such holdings and aligning the definition of social investments in SORP with the definition in the Charities Act 2011.
- Easier to understand requirements for reporting provisions and contingencies.
SORP Webinars
The SORP-making body will host a 'Charities SORP 2026 Launch Webinar' on 20th November 2025 (12:00-13:00pm). Register your interest and submit any questions for the Q&A for this event
ACIE, The Association of Charity Independent Examiners, has a wide range of 1 hour webinars and in person training for 2026
Association of Charity Independent Examiners - ACIE CPD and other Events
CFG, Charity Finance Group, will be hosting various webinars on different topics of the new SORP Charity Finance Group | Events and Training
