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COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: SC252403
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: SC035736
The Architects Professional Examinations Authority in Scotland Limited
Company Limited by Guarantee
Unaudited Financial Statements
30 April 2025
The Architects Professional Examinations Authority in Scotland Limited
Company Limited by Guarantee
Financial Statements
Year ended 30 April 2025
Page
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the director's report)
1
Independent examiner's report to the trustees
4
Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account)
5
Statement of financial position
6
Notes to the financial statements
7
The Architects Professional Examinations Authority in Scotland Limited
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)
Year ended 30 April 2025
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 April 2025 .
Reference and administrative details
Registered charity name
The Architects Professional Examinations Authority in Scotland Limited
Charity registration number
SC035736
Company registration number
SC252403
Principal office and registered
15 Rutland Square
office
Edinburgh
EH1 2BE
The trustees
T Thomson
S Stewart
B Diamond
(Resigned 1 June 2024)
A Agapiou
(Resigned 1 June 2024)
N Blair
J Barr
M Fard
E G Geddes
S J Doherty
K A Acheson
K Savage
M P Maldonado
P Drummond
(Appointed 15 January 2025)
M Jain
(Appointed 12 March 2025)
Senior management Prof Antony J Eddison
Company secretary
Prof Antony J Eddison
Independent examiner
Barrie Scott & Co
16-18 Weir Street
Falkirk
FK1 1RA
Structure, governance and management
Charitable objects:
The company is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and is therefore governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association. The company is to set and conduct the Examination in Professional Practice and Management. The company will also establish and carry out procedures for assuring and enhancing the quality of the setting and conducting of the Examination.
Organisational structure:
The Board of Directors comprises of:
- Chair - appointed by the Board
- Convenor of the Examination Committee (ex officio)
- 2 representatives of the Association of the Scottish Schools of Architecture (ASSA), nominated by ASSA
- 4 registered architects - appointed by the Board
- 2 lay members - appointed by the Board
- 2 registered architects who have recently passed their Part 3 Examination with APEAS - appointed by the Board
The normal process of inducting any new director into the work of the APEAS Board is by the Chief Executive Officer sending the new director any relevant documentation associated with APEAS in advance of a meeting. At the meeting the documentation is reviewed and any questions answered.
Governance and internal control:
The APEAS Board is committed to maintaining the necessary financial and human resources and expertise to ensure that the Part 3 Examination in Professional Practice and Management can be managed and operated in Scotland over the long term. The Board will take every reasonable step to ensure this position is maintained.
Objectives and activities
The following objects appear in the APEAS Memorandum and Articles of Association:
- To set and conduct the Examination in Professional Practice and Management (also called the Part 3 Examination) in Architecture.
- To establish and carry out procedures for assuring and enhancing the quality of the setting and conduct of the Examination.
- To undertake any other tasks that might arise within the scope of furthering the first two objectives.
Achievements and performance
During the 2024/25 examination cycle a total of 128 (62 male, 65 female, 1 non-binary) candidates were examined which again improved upon previous numbers (108 2023/24 and 73 2022/23). The post-oral examination pass rate was 87% which is 1% higher than the average pass rate for the previous 5 years which is 86%.
The online payment system continues to work well and there are no issues to report.
Scottish Universities continue to be an integral part of the APEAS Examination process with Heads of Schools of Architecture being represented on the Board and PSAs being committed members of the Examination Committee.
The Examiners Seminar focussed on the themes of exam techniques and the content of the short courses delivered by the universities.
Special needs amongst candidates continue to be addressed individually for each candidate to ensure support is provided as required by candidates. Discussions with ARB are ongoing concerning proposed changes to the International Routes to the Profession.
Financial review
The company made a surplus of £33,582 (2024: £39,625) in the reporting period, leaving reserves of £187,466 (2024: £153,884). The company has turned around the deficits of the last few years, which the Board is satisifed to see, however, they will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure the financial sustainability of the company. The income and expenditure is as shown on page 5 of the financial statements.
Investment powers, policy and performance
During 2024/25 APEAS maintained a separate account for surplus funds which attracted a higher rate of interest.
Reserve Fund Policy
The Architects' Professional Examination Authority in Scotland will hold sufficient funds in reserve to meet the following:
(1) maintenance of adequate funds in the Company's current account to sustain operations for a twelve month period;
(2) the winding up of the Company including redundancy payments to APEAS staff and the clearing of all outstanding debts; and
(3) annual legal costs associated with any case brought against APEAS by a candidate, examiner or any other person.
The APEAS Board will review annually the sum of money it wishes to hold in reserve to meet the above.
Statement of trustees' responsibilites
The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.
The trustees' annual report was approved on 13 June 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
P Drummond
Trustee
The Architects Professional Examinations Authority in Scotland Limited
Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Architects Professional Examinations Authority in Scotland Limited
Year ended 30 April 2025
I report on the financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2025, which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), statement of financial position and the related notes.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006, and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met, or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Diane Elizabeth Jack
Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
Barrie Scott & Co Independent Examiner
16-18 Weir Street Falkirk FK1 1RA
5 August 2025
The Architects Professional Examinations Authority in Scotland Limited
Company Limited by Guarantee
Statement of Financial Activities
(including income and expenditure account)
Year ended 30 April 2025
2025
2024
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
Total funds
Note
£
£
£
Income and endowments
Charitable activities
5
190,905
190,905
174,530
Investment income
6
1,412
1,412
1,415
---------
---------
---------
Total income
192,317
192,317
175,945
---------
---------
---------
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities
7,8
158,735
158,735
136,320
---------
---------
---------
Total expenditure
158,735
158,735
136,320
---------
---------
---------
---------
---------
---------
Net income and net movement in funds
33,582
33,582
39,625
---------
---------
---------
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
153,884
153,884
114,259
---------
---------
---------
Total funds carried forward
187,466
187,466
153,884
---------
---------
---------
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The Architects Professional Examinations Authority in Scotland Limited
Company Limited by Guarantee
Statement of Financial Position
30 April 2025
2025
2024
Note
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
14
736
729
Current assets
Debtors
15
86
80
Cash at bank and in hand
188,904
159,650
---------
---------
188,990
159,730
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
16
2,260
6,575
---------
---------
Net current assets
186,730
153,155
---------
---------
Total assets less current liabilities
187,466
153,884
---------
---------
Net assets
187,466
153,884
---------
---------
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
187,466
153,884
---------
---------
Total charity funds
18
187,466
153,884
---------
---------
For the year ending 30 April 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
- The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476 ;
- The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements .
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 13 June 2025 , and are signed on behalf of the board by:
P Drummond
Trustee
Company Number: SC252403
The Architects Professional Examinations Authority in Scotland Limited
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year ended 30 April 2025
1. General information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland and a registered charity in Scotland. The address of the registered office is 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, EH1 2BE.
2. Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.
3. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
Going concern
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
Disclosure exemptions
The entity satisfies the criteria of being a qualifying entity as defined in FRS 102. As such, advantage has been taken of the following disclosure exemptions available under paragraph 1.12 of FRS 102: (a) No cash flow statement has been presented for the company. (b) Disclosures in respect of financial instruments have not been presented.
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. There are no material uncertainties concerning the judgements that management has made in the process of applying the entity's accounting policies that have a a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements. Accounting estimates and assumptions are made concerning the future and, by their nature, will rarely equal the related actual outcome. There are no material uncertainties concerning the accounting estimates and assumptions made that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income: - income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably. - legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established. - income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers. - income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates: - expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, non-charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods. - expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities. - other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.
Tangible assets
Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Equipment
-
33% straight line
Impairment of fixed assets
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
Financial instruments
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or paable including any related transaction costs, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where it is recognised at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument. Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted. Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.
Defined contribution plans
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund. When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.
4. Limited by guarantee
The Architects Professional Examinations Authority in Scotland is a company limited by guarantee and accordingly does not have a share capital.
Every member of the company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of its being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member, for payment of the company's debts and liabilities contracted before he or she ceases to be a member, and of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up, and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributories among themselves.
5. Charitable activities
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds 2025
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds 2024
£
£
£
£
Registration and fee income
190,905
190,905
174,530
174,530
---------
---------
---------
---------
6. Investment income
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds 2025
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds 2024
£
£
£
£
Bank interest received
1,412
1,412
1,415
1,415
-------
-------
-------
-------
7. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds 2025
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds 2024
£
£
£
£
Support costs
158,735
158,735
136,320
136,320
---------
---------
---------
---------
8. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type
Support costs
Total funds 2025
Total fund 2024
£
£
£
Examination provision
144,343
144,343
130,621
Governance costs
14,392
14,392
5,699
---------
---------
---------
158,735
158,735
136,320
---------
---------
---------
9. Analysis of support costs
Examination provision
Total 2025
Total 2024
£
£
£
Staff costs
59,459
59,459
51,865
Premises
1,938
1,938
1,559
General office
1,873
1,873
1,290
Examiners fees
46,259
46,259
44,391
Convenor fee
1,840
1,840
1,750
Continuing professional development
2,392
2,392
2,740
Depreciation & loss on disposal
1,097
1,097
729
IT support for oral exams
28,413
28,413
25,337
Website costs
1,072
1,072
960
---------
---------
---------
144,343
144,343
130,621
---------
---------
---------
10. Net income
Net income is stated after charging/(crediting):
2025
2024
£
£
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
1,097
729
-------
----
11. Independent examination fees
2025
2024
£
£
Fees payable to the independent examiner for:
Independent examination of the financial statements
1,554
1,134
Other financial services
484
660
-------
-------
2,038
1,794
-------
-------
12. Staff costs
The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:
2025
2024
£
£
Wages and salaries
58,269
51,152
Social security costs
384
Employer contributions to pension plans
806
713
--------
--------
59,459
51,865
--------
--------
The average head count of employees during the year was 2 (2024: 2 ). The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:
2025
2024
No.
No.
Administration
2
2
----
----
No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).
13. Trustee remuneration and expenses
N Blair ,a trustee, has been paid £3,295 (2024: £3,137) for his role as Convenor, Examiner and Moderator.
No expenses were refunded to any trustees during the year.
14. Tangible fixed assets
Equipment
£
Cost
At 1 May 2024
19,040
Additions
1,104
--------
At 30 April 2025
20,144
--------
Depreciation
At 1 May 2024
18,311
Charge for the year
1,097
--------
At 30 April 2025
19,408
--------
Carrying amount
At 30 April 2025
736
--------
At 30 April 2024
729
--------
15. Debtors
2025
2024
£
£
Prepayments and accrued income
86
80
----
----
16. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
£
£
Accruals and deferred income
2,260
6,575
-------
-------
17. Pensions and other post retirement benefits
Defined contribution plans
The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £ 806 (2024: £ 713 ).
18. Analysis of charitable funds
Unrestricted funds
At 1 May 2024
Income
Expenditure
At 30 April 2025
£
£
£
£
General funds
153,884
192,317
(158,735)
187,466
---------
---------
---------
---------
At 1 May 2023
Income
Expenditure
At 30 April 2024
£
£
£
£
General funds
114,259
175,945
(136,320)
153,884
---------
---------
---------
---------
19. Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds 2025
£
£
Tangible fixed assets
736
736
Current assets
188,990
188,990
Creditors less than 1 year
(2,260)
(2,260)
---------
---------
Net assets
187,466
187,466
---------
---------
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds 2024
£
£
Tangible fixed assets
729
729
Current assets
159,730
159,730
Creditors less than 1 year
(6,575)
(6,575)
---------
---------
Net assets
153,884
153,884
---------
---------
20. Related parties
There were no related party transactions during the year.