Chris Harris
BSc, CIPFA, MSc
Partner
Chris graduated from the London School of Economics and trained as an accountant with the NHS. He spent three years in Cairo as the volunteer finance director of a media organisation. Since returning to the UK in 1995 he has specialised in the charity sector, working for the Shaftesbury Society, Action for Blind People and CIPFA.
He has over twenty five years’ experience in not-for-profit and public services including ten at Director level. His primary achievements have been through implementing strategic change, providing coherence and balance to senior teams, and ensuring that resources are applied appropriately to the objectives of the organisation. He has a masters degree in charity finance and a strong interest in professional development, founding the CIPFA Charity Panel and the CIPFA Certificate in Charity Finance at London South Bank University.
Expertise
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Sector:
My latest insights
Tech Trends 2019: IT is everywhere but can it be trusted?
How will technology trends in 2019 affect your business...
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Avoiding the precipice: Turning around financially stressed charities
The charity sector is under financial pressure and many charities are having to face the unpalatable truth that they cannot continue to operate.
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Sleep-in Payments
The recent court of appeal decision has overturned the previous Employment Tribunal judgement that for the purposes of the application of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) time spent sleeping in should be paid at an hourly rate rather than as an allowance.
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Navigating the brave new world of GDPR
Chris Harris discusses that getting processes up to speed will enable academies to benefit from GDPR...
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Budget announcements relating to charities
They do not want to spend any money so instead have agreed to publish a green paper/a strategy at some point in the future. Examples of this include the plans to come up with a green paper (a discussion document) on care and support for old people by summer 2018. This was announced on 16 November however there was no mention in the budget.
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Scheme launched to tackle NMW underpayment in social care
In a long-awaited announcement on Wednesday the government launched a new compliance scheme for social care providers to address underpayments for workers on sleep-in shifts, of more than £400m for the social care sector while individual homes may face a bill of between £40,000 and £2m each.
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Pensions Freedoms - the stick and the carrot
First the stick - recent articles in Moneyweek and the FT have shown concern that the rock solid promise behind Final Salary pensions is no longer looking as reliable as it used to be.
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Pensions Freedoms for those over 55 – an opportunity for individuals and employers
The Government introduced pensions freedoms in April 2016. These apply to both Defined Contribution schemes and Defined Benefit (also known as Final Salary) schemes. Many people aged over 55 will have some years in a Defined Benefit scheme but are no longer contributing (active). The existing approach is that benefits built up are preserved (or deferred) until the person reaches their normal retirement age.
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The NHS squeeze on resources is set to continue
One of the features of the 2017 general election has been the lack of debate about the NHS. This may seem odd when there is plenty of evidence of mounting difficulties. The Labour Party has promised some more money, as they must, but there is little recognition of the systematic problems faced.
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Budget 2016 - Charities are glad of a low profile
This year the external changes have not been kind and the OBR has duly recalculated the...
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Reputation meltdown - how should Charities respond?
So what can be done to adapt to the new reality?
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Who are you? - the reality of identity fraud
Chris Harris discusses the reality of identity fraud and how he has come across it...
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Six steps to a Finance Department Budget
Over recent months the Chancellor, George Osborne, has been agreeing plans with...
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Xero - creating a buzz that demands a response
A common question from those struggling with the task of maintaining the accounts for small...
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A chink of light on pensions
Pensions continue to provide problems for individuals and for employers but changes put in place...
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Charity executive pay - what is the right level?
It is rare to see the words "charity" and "executive" in the same sentence, unless it is part of...
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Bad charities - limiting the damage
Speaking to a number of Finance Directors at the CFG Large Charities conference yesterday...
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A fitness regime for charities
Having an effective audit that is carried out as efficiently as possible while asking the right...
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Relevant Office
London
New Bridge Street House
30 – 34 New Bridge Street
London
T: +44 (0)20 7429 4100
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