Warwick Students' Union Consolidated Statements
For the year ended 31st July 2020
Commentary to explain the 2019-20 position
Following changes to national financial reporting standards, particularly those relating to FRS102, the Union is now required to disclose within its balance sheet the net asset or liability position arising from the Student Unions’ Superannuation Scheme (SUSS) – a pension scheme which was closed to new employees in 2011, but for which the Union still has current and former members of staff as members.
The first accounts where the Union reported its share of the SUSS pension liability were those published in respect of the period reported to 31st July 2016, and this resulted in the Union reporting a negative reserves position despite the fact that nothing practically had changed from one year to the next. The pensions reserve now included in the balance sheet is effectively the amount at today’s prices that the Union will have to pay to the fund to reduce its share of the overall deficit so that the fund is in a balanced position, and contribute to the running costs of SUSS.
This position is not unique to WSU and, excluding the pensions reserve, the Union retains strong cash and reserve balances, in line with the levels set by the Board of Trustees. As the recovery plan is structured over a number of year until October 2034, the Union remains in a position where it can meet this annual financial obligation.
Auditors' Disclaimer on Web Based Accounts
The maintenance and integrity of the Warwick SU website is the responsibility of Warwick SU; the work carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the financial statements or audit report since they were initially presented on the website.
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
RSM UK Audit LLP
Chartered Accountants