Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Liabilities are measured on recognition at historical cost and then subsequently measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date. The exception is that certain financial instruments must be adjusted to their present value; these include financial liabilities where settlement is deferred for more than 12 months after the reporting date. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses including support costs and governance costs are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings. Further information on the basis of allocation is provided below.
Charitable activities
Expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by the 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. The costs of charitable activities presented in the Statement of Financial Activities includes the costs of both direct service provision and the payments of grant awards if applicable.
Governance costs
Governance costs (which are included as a component of support costs in accordance with SORP) comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. These costs include those related to constitutional and statutory requirements, external scrutiny (audit or independent examination), strategic management, and other legal and professional fees.
Irrecoverable VAT
Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the expenditure heading for which it was incurred.