The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charitable company's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (published in October 2019).
The charitable company's objects are to promote the belief in the Biblical record of creation, showing it to be foundational to Christian belief. This is achieved through four principal aims:
to show the relevance of the whole of the Bible, especially the Genesis account of creation and the early history of the world, to the church and society in which we live;
to show that true scientific evidence agrees with the Genesis account of creation and the early history of the world;
to equip Christians with answers to defend and share their faith effectively with friends and neighbours with the prime object that these friends and neighbours might be saved;
to provide resources to assist with the above.
The charity undertakes the following activities for achieving objectives:
providing speakers for meetings, seminars and conferences;
distributing a quarterly magazine;
distributing books, DVDs, CDs and leaflets;
distributing a quarterly Answers Insider prayer news and other prayer letters and requests (via email and ordinary mail), as appropriate.
The charity operates the UK ministry Answers in Genesis UK/Europe.
The trustees, having regard to the guidance issued, confirm that the public benefit of the charity is found in advancing the Christian religion through promoting, by all means of communication, belief in the whole of the Bible and in particular, the creation of the universe by God. The charity actively raises awareness and understanding amongst Christians and non-Christians of creation and the God behind it, using up to date scientific evidence as well as biblical evidence. A significant range of resources (layman and technical) are available to the public (adults and children), through books, DVDs, website and radio and television programmes and interviews. Meetings and conferences, which are open to all, are regularly held throughout the United Kingdom, when permitted.
The charitable company is most grateful for the many volunteer hours expended by helpers at events and at the main office and warehouse in Leicester.
48 meetings were held in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus the Netherlands and Switzerland. These covered a full variety of topics including relevance of Genesis, creation apologetics, the Bible, design, dinosaurs, science, atheism and social issues (e.g. the family, racism, climate change and identity), etc.
Highlights include:
Over 4800 people were reached by events in this period. In addition to regular church meetings and the above events, we also spoke at conferences organised by other organisations as well as church retreats, creation groups, youth groups and an independent Christian school (Simon Turpin and Neil Seeds). We also attended 10 events at which we were invited to have a bookstall.
UK Speakers and Associate Speakers used in-person in this period: Simon Turpin (involved in 32), Prof. Stuart Burgess (6), Prof. Steve Taylor (4), Prof. Andy McIntosh (2) and Brian Edwards (1). Guest speakers included John Harris, Joseph Hubbard and 1x Pastor speaking alongside AiG speakers in his own church.
Martyn Iles’ first speaking tour in the UK (from AiG-US) – 3 churches.
Online Events: We were invited to speak at 5x Zoom events with Simon Turpin.
Additional notes of significance:
New resources, including books and curricula, have been added to our inventory and a large and relevant selection are available at all meetings and conferences or by ordering via the charity's UK webstore or by email, post or telephone.
Regular newsletters are sent to supporters by email and in printed format by post;
Answers Magazine continues to be distributed widely across the United Kingdom and Europe;
Regular social media postings on the charity's designated Facebook page;
Simon Turpin wrote 11 articles for the answersingenesis.org website.
During the year ended 30th June 2024, the trustees continued to actively manage the financial position; during the year the charitable company incurred a general fund surplus of £61,033 (2023 - deficit £21,511). At the year end the total reserves of the charity were £316,814 (2023 - £255,781), none of which were restricted, being the equivalent of approximately 12 months operating costs, ensuring that the charitable company complied with the current reserves policy.
Income, expenditure and cash flow have been monitored monthly. The trustees and staff have worked proactively and with some vigour to reduce costs and maintain income. The organisation is in a good position financially to enter the next financial year.
A realistic Business Plan was in place for the year ended 30th June 2024 and has been monitored against monthly reported figures in order that any deviations can be identified in a timely manner and acted upon. The trustees are aware of the need, particularly in the current financial climate, to be prudent and regularly review measures to contribute to the financial stability of the charitable company. Reserves should be more than adequate to cover any short term increase in expenditure that this will entail.
It is the policy of the charitable company that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charitable company’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charitable company is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The entity, which is also known as Answers in Genesis, is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
The trustees may appoint any person who is willing to act to be a trustee of the charitable company. Trustees appointed during the year shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting of the charitable company or for another period as specified (up to a maximum of two years) and shall be eligible for re-election at the appropriate AGM.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
Organisation
The board of trustees must consist of a minimum of three members but is not subject to any maximum. The board meets quarterly and on such other occasions as shall be deemed necessary to ensure the effective functioning of the charity. Regular communication amongst all trustees is maintained between board meetings.
Potential trustees are usually invited to attend board meetings and participate in the running of the charity for a period of six to twelve months prior to being approved for appointment as trustees. In addition, new trustees are invited and encouraged to attend a series of short training sessions to familiarise themselves with the charity and the context within which it operates. These sessions relate to the following:
the obligations of trustees;
the main documents which set out the operational framework for the charity, including the Memorandum and Articles of Association;
resourcing and the current financial position as set out in the latest available financial statements;
future plans and objectives.
A question and answer pack is available drawing on information from the various Charity Commission publications signposted through the Commission's guide "the Essential Trustee" as a follow up to these sessions. This is distributed to all new trustees along with the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the latest financial statements.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Answers in Genesis UK/Europe (the charitable company) for the year ended 30 June 2024.
As the trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charitable company’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Since the charitable company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charitable company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Answers in Genesis UK/Europe is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 167 London Road, Leicester, LE2 1EG.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charitable company's memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (issued in October 2019). The charitable company is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charitable company has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charitable company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charitable company has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be attributed directly to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.
Expenditure on charitable activities relates to the direct costs associated with merchandising income, which is recognised when the associated sale is made.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charitable company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charitable company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charitable company's balance sheet when the charitable company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charitable company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charitable company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Literature sales
Audio visual sales
Subscriptions
Conference income
Purchasing and merchandising costs
Conference costs
Lease of land and buildings
Printing, postage, stationery and IT costs
Other office management costs
Motor, travel and subsistence
Other allocated costs
Legal and professional
Independent examiner's fees
Bank charges
Two trustees were reimbursed for travel and subsistence expenses during the year of £1,014 (2023 - £814).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charitable company in an independently administered fund.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
All restricted funds are held for the charitable company’s primary objectives and have arisen for the following specific purposes:
Answers in Genesis US: relates to support provided to assist funding salaries.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
The Building Fund consists of donations set aside by the Trustees to cover costs for a potential move to a new building.
Unrestricted
Restricted
At the reporting end date the charitable company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
During the year the charitable company entered into the following transactions with related parties:
A. McIntosh and S. Burgess are trustees of the charitable company for which they have undertaken separate speaking engagements and were paid a total of £550 (2023 - £620).