THE BRITISH SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

Registered charity 1080235 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as BSA

The British Sociological Association's charitable primary objective is to promote sociology. It is the professional association representing sociologists in the UK. Founded in 1951, the BSA provides a network of communication to all who are concerned with the promotion and use of sociology and sociological research.

Causes: Education/training · website · Get email alerts

Latest income
£977k
Latest spending
£1.0m
Registered
2000
Accounts read
FY2024

Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts

The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure of £67,070 for the year ended 31 December 2024, resulting in total funds of £2,901,486. The trustees maintain a reserves policy targeting a minimum of £653,000 to cover one year of expenditure, and the free reserves exceeded this target at year-end. The auditors confirmed that the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified.

Automated summary of the FY2024 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Highest-paid employee band: more than £60,000 — below the median for charities its size (£60k)
“One employee had employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2023 - £60,000).” — page 33
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Employees paid over £60,000: 1
“One employee had employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2023 - £60,000).” — page 33
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: 12 months' worth of expenditure for the Group (held: £1.4m)
“A minimum fund of £653,000 should be set aside to cover staff, office and related services over one year. This follows the recommended good practice for charitable companies to keep a minimum in reserve for this purpose equivalent to 12 months’ worth of expenditure for the Group (the BSA and BSA Publications Limited).” — page 10
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Pension scheme deficit: £3k
“Defined benefit pension liability Group Charity 2024 2023 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ Pension liability 3,402 1,698 3,402 1,698”
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: BSA Publications Limited
“The charity has one wholly owned trading subsidiary which is registered in England and Wales, BSA Publications Limited (Company Number 01245771).” — page 36
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts audited by S & W Partners Audit Limited. Discloses 6 of 6 completeness components.

Property (HM Land Registry)

2 registered titles in England and Wales held by the charity’s company or corporate body (0 freehold); recorded price paid £740k. All charity-held property. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)

Total income
£977k
Total spending
£1.0m
Reserves (reported)
£1.4m
Employees
11

Reported reserves equal ~17.0 months of spending — in the top quarter for charities its size (median 5.2 months; benchmarks).

Per its annual return, largest income source: Other trading activities (57% of income) — components as reported reconcile to the return’s total income; not from the accounts narrative.

Per its annual return, cost of raising funds: 0.0% of total income — below the median for charities its size (4.9%) (benchmarks).

Register events

Trustees · trustee networks

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Northern Ireland · Scotland · Throughout England And Wales

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/12/2024£977k£1.0m
31/12/2023£1.3m£1.2m
31/12/2022£1.1m£890k
31/12/2021£946k£757k
31/12/2020£975k£845k

Common questions

Is THE BRITISH SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION financially healthy?

Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure of £67,070 for the year ended 31 December 2024, resulting in total funds of £2,901,486. The trustees maintain a reserves policy targeting a minimum of £653,000 to cover one year of expenditure, and the free reserves exceeded this target at year-end. The auditors confirmed that the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by S & W Partners Audit Limited.

What does the highest-paid employee of THE BRITISH SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION earn?

Per its FY2024 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the more than £60,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.

Who funds THE BRITISH SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION?

Funders whose own accounts filings name THE BRITISH SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION as a grant recipient include FOUNDATION FOR THE SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND ILLNESS.

Known funders

Grants to this charity found in funders’ own accounts filings.

FunderYearAmountPurpose (as stated by the funder)
FOUNDATION FOR THE SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND ILLNESSFY2024£1kBook Prize
FOUNDATION FOR THE SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND ILLNESSFY2023£1kBook Prize