Accounting and Standards - Terms of Reference
1. CONSTITUTION
The Board hereby resolves to establish a Committee of the Board to be known as the Accounting and Standards Committee (The Committee). The Committee is a sub-committee of the HFMA Board of Trustees and is bound by the rules and regulations of the Association as they relate to the sub-committee.
2. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE
Membership of the Committee
The Committee is comprised of the following members:
• Each HFMA branch is invited to nominate a representative
• Individuals working within the NHS can be co-opted onto the Committee by resolution of the Committee to ensure a balanced (geographic and organisational) membership. Individuals may also be co-opted to work on specific projects or because they have expressed a particular interest in Accounting and Standards issues.
• Department of Health and Audit Commission representatives will be co-opted on to the committee
• The Chair of the VAT sub-committee
• At the discretion of the Committee, representatives from other outside bodies can be co-opted on to the committee. The membership of these representatives will be periodically reviewed.
• A list of Associate Members will also be maintained for individuals/organisations that have an interest in the work of the committee but are unable to regularly attend meetings.
Quorum
The quorum is 5 for voting purposes, with the Chair having the casting vote.
Chair
The Chair is nominated by the branches and determined by the Nominations and Selections Panel. Final approval of the selection is given by the Board of Trustees and announced at the HFMA Annual General Meeting in December. The appointment shall be initially be for three years.
Frequency
The committee will meet not less than four times a year.
3. DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE
Statement of Purpose
To promote high levels of accounting standards within the NHS. This will be achieved by:
• advising ASB/IASB on standards and their applicability to NHS
• advising the Department of Health, Monitor and Audit Commission on the practical implementation of accounting standards in the NHS
• representing members views to the Department of Health, Monitor and Audit Commission
• providing information and development opportunities to members on
• accounting standards
Aims of the Committee
• Undertake, commission or co-ordinate work in areas of accounting and standards on behalf of the HFMA
• Identify and advise the Department of Health on the impact of government policy on NHS financial management
• Identify, encourage and share areas of good practice
• Liaise with other groups on areas of mutual interest
• Provide opportunities for members personal development
• Produce information for HFMA members and others involved and interested in NHS finance
• Advise Policy Forum on NHS accounting and standards issues
• Provide quality assurance to national projects and branch projects if required.
4. REPORTING
• The Committee reports to the Board of Trustees.
• The minutes of the Committee meetings shall be formally recorded by the Committees Manager and approved at the subsequent Committee meeting.
• The Board of Trustees will receive an Executive Summary of the most recent Committee Meeting prior to each Board of Trustees meeting.
• Full minutes of the Committee meeting will be available to Trustees online via the HFMA website or from the Committees Manager on request.
• The Committee will also provide a report on all activity via the HFMA Annual Report.
• The Chair of the Committee is a member of the Policy Forum, and shall draw to the attention of the Board any issues that require disclosure to the full Board, or require executive action.
• The Committee will receive quarterly reports from the VAT subcommittee.
Approved by the Committee 10.09.09
Review date 09.09.10