Organisations are being asked to provide greater transparency, clearer governance reporting and stronger evidence to support the claims they make to funders, commissioners and stakeholders. For charities, SORP 2026 formalises this from January 2026.
Changes to audit and independent examination thresholds mean fewer organisations are subject to mandatory external scrutiny, while expectations of transparency continue to rise.
Organisations are increasingly expected to explain more, while fewer are subject to mandatory independent scrutiny. FIM provides independent financial evidence in the space between the two.
Every organisation awarded the FIM mark has been independently assessed and found to meet the required standard in all four of the following areas.
Money received and spent has been independently assessed as properly authorised, controlled and traceable. Financial transactions follow clear approval processes and can be evidenced.
Financial records are complete, accurate and supported by source documentation. Reports reconcile to underlying records and can be relied upon to reflect the organisation's financial position.
Those responsible for the organisation's finances have been assessed as actively engaged in financial oversight. Financial decisions are made by the appropriate people, with clear accountability and evidence of oversight.
The organisation understands its financial position, monitors key financial risks and can demonstrate how funded activity will be tracked and reported. Financial planning reflects current circumstances and commitments.
FIM does not replace statutory audit or independent examination. It provides independent evidence of financial integrity.
Financial governance that is credible and defensible under scrutiny.
An independent, evidence-based mark that gives funders, regulators and decision-makers confidence in your finances.
