ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity achieved a small surplus of £3k before actuarial gains and transfers, with unrestricted reserves standing at £5,407k. Per the trustees' report, these free reserves are £1.5m above the stated policy limit of six months of expenditure plus 25%, indicating a strong liquidity position. The auditor confirmed that the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“ACU’s policy is to maintain reserves equivalent to 6 months of expenditure plus 25%.” — page 23
“ACU Trading Limited (Company number: 9119389) is a wholly owned subsidiary of ACU and its results for the period have been consolidated into Group Financial Statements of ACU. The principal activity of ACU Trading Limited is the provision of staff services to the ACU.” — page 24
“ACU Trading Limited (Company number: 9119389) is a wholly owned subsidiary of ACU” — page 24
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/07/2025)
Trustees
- Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfochair
- Dr Dinesh Surroop
- Professor Abdul Bari Mohammad Obaidul Islam
- Professor Alan Clarke Shepard
- Professor Benedict Mwavu Mutua
- Professor Chockalingam Raj Kumar
- Professor Dato' Ir. Dr Azuan Abu Osman Noor
- Professor Edmund Kieran Burke
- Professor Emily Achieng' Akuno
- Professor Eunice Angela Simmons
- Professor Grant Raymond Edwards
- Professor James A Miller
- Professor Kabiru Aderemi Adeyemo
- Professor Kenneth Matengu
- Professor Pattinikutti Mudiyanselange Chandralal Thilakarathne
- Professor Shearer Carroll West
- Professor Sibongile Muthwa
- Professor Sir Hilary McDonald Beckles
- Professor Stephen Bruce Dowton
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/07/2025 | £8.1m | £8.3m |
| 31/07/2024 | £7.7m | £10.1m |
| 31/07/2023 | £11.1m | £12.3m |
| 31/07/2022 | £10.4m | £12.0m |
| 31/07/2021 | £9.9m | £10.9m |
Common questions
Is ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity achieved a small surplus of £3k before actuarial gains and transfers, with unrestricted reserves standing at £5,407k. Per the trustees' report, these free reserves are £1.5m above the stated policy limit of six months of expenditure plus 25%, indicating a strong liquidity position. The auditor confirmed that the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Crowe U.K. LLP.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCADIA | — | £106k | Survey of digital resources in African universities |