Financial governance

Financial Regulations

This document provides the procedural framework for our financial affairs. Its purpose is to ensure that employees and members comply with specific statutory provisions, best professional practice and that the integrity of our financial affairs is protected. All financial and accounting procedures must be carried out in accordance with these Regulations and other corporate guidelines. It includes guidance on financial planning, financial management, accounting records and financial systems, risk management and internal control, control of resources, income and expenditure, external arrangements, and other key policies and documents.

Financial Regulations

Scheme of Delegation for Financial Management 

This document is a companion document to the Financial Regulations. Its purpose is to explain how we conduct our financial affairs and the requirements and process for delegation of authority, including approval limits. Delegation of authority is the assignment to post-holders of responsibility and accountability for specific roles and tasks. Approval limits specify the value up to which a post-holder may authorise transactions falling within the scope of their delegated authorities and role description. The scheme of delegation uses preventive, directive and detective controls.

Scheme of Delegation for Financial Management

Expenses Policy

We wish to ensure that our employees and members as well as others who incur expenses in relation to our work – such as witnesses, advisers and interviewees are provided with appropriate arrangements for travel and accommodation relating to our work. The policy sets out rules for the reimbursement of travel, accommodation and subsistence expenditure and provides information on what expenses can be claimed, how and when. This covers travel and subsistence, carer costs, hotel accommodation, insurance, airline frequent flyer scheme, witness loss of income and locum fees.

Expenses policy 

Member Fees Policy

We are committed to ensuring that we pay our members appropriate fees for the work they undertake for us. We wish to ensure the fees paid to our members are fair and remain current and as such review the fees every three years against benchmark data. This policy outlines how members’ fees are set and how they are reviewed. It also provides guidance on who is entitled to additional fees and how fees and expenses are paid.

Member fees policy

Member Fees Schedule

These documents detail member fees payable for the financial year 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, and for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Member fees schedule

Investment Policy

The policy provides a framework for the management and control of the GOC’s investments. It provides information on our investment objectives, standards of care, investment transactions, performance review and reporting, record keeping and safekeeping and policy considerations.

Investment policy

Reserves Policy

The policy provides a framework for the management of our reserves. All reserves are unrestricted although we have designated some for specific purposes. Information is given on the target levels for some reserves and the conditions for their use.

Reserves policy

Contracts and Procurement Policy

The policy provides a framework for the management and control of our Contracts and other procurement. It states the rules for buying goods, works and services.

Contracts and Procurement policy

Risk Management Strategy and Policy

Our risk management policy is to adopt best practice in the identification, evaluation and cost-effective control of risks, to ensure that they are either eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level. The policy provides details of responsibilities, the risk management process, risk identification, analysis, recording, monitoring, and review.

Risk management strategy and policy

Management of Interests Policy

This policy provides guidance on what interests must be declared; how and when to declare interests; how to identify and manage conflicts of interest; and how interests will be published.

Management of Interests policy

Anti-financial crime Policy

This policy defines financial crime and provides examples which can be used to recognise such activity. It sets out our expectations in relation to the prevention, detection and reporting of financial crime and the consequences of non-compliance with the policy.

Anti-financial crime policy

Gifts and hospitality Policy

Gifts and hospitality can be an appropriate part of a working relationship but any acceptance must not improperly influence, or be seen to be improperly influence, any decisions or create a feeling of obligation.

This policy covers gifts (which includes gifts, rewards and prizes, donations and sponsorship and speaking fees) and hospitality.

Gifts and hospitality policy