Chapter 2.7: Non-Financial Reports
This section covers the non-financial reports that must be prepared as part of the Annual Reporting cycle.
2.7.1 Statement of responsibility
The Statement of Responsibility is signed by the Principal and the Chairperson and acknowledges that the board is responsible for the preparation and accuracy of the financial statements.
It also states that the board has established and maintained a system of internal control to safeguard the school's assets.
The board may approve draft financial statements to be submitted to the auditor and approve that the Principal and Chairperson should sign the Statement of Responsibility for the final version when the audit is complete.
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2.7.2 Members of the board of trustees
A list of members of the board of trustees comprises the people who have governed the school during the year, even if their term expired during the year. It must include the name of each trustee, and the date on which that trustee will finish their term on the board. The Principal is also a trustee and must be included on the list.
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2.7.3 Auditor’s report
Auditors are appointed by the Auditor-General who then prepare their report on the school’s financial statements. The auditor’s report must be included in the board’s Annual Report. It provides an opinion to the readers of the annual report about whether the financial statements comply with generally accepted accounting practice and whether they fairly represent the school’s financial position and performance. There are no samples provided of this kind of report in this model, as these reports will be prepared by the school’s independent auditor.
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2.7.4 Analysis of variance
All schools are required to include an Analysis of Variance in which the board describes for the community how the school has gone about addressing the school’s priorities in its Charter and shows how successful this approach has been. More information about this is available here.
The Analysis of Variance is a discussion of the outcomes or results achieved compared to the outcomes planned in areas of priority for the year. The board will present its appraisal of the school’s performance of its aims, objectives, directions, priorities or targets as set out in the annual section of the school charter. It will provide pointers to the board’s ongoing strategy.
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2.7.5 Management report
Note: that having separate Chairperson and Principal sections in an annual report is simply a tradition. It is quite acceptable to have a single management report.
If writing separate reports, the Chairperson can inform the school’s community about the achievements and successes of the academic year. The report also provides an opportunity to tell staff, parents and students about the school’s goals for the coming year and the risks and opportunities that may be encountered along the way.
There are no samples provided of this kind of report in this model, as there are no mandatory requirements about content. A template is likely to constrain innovation and limit the information being shared by the chairperson.
The Principal, if writing a separate report, might outline the highlights of the year to the school’s community and talk about the opportunities and challenges coming up in the year ahead. The reports should not cover the same information.
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2.7.6 Statement of resources
The Statement of Resources describes the financial and non-financial resources used by the school during the year.
2.7.7 Performance graphs
Performance graphs show at a glance the main categories of income and expenses, as their share of the totals, to assist comparison with the previous year. While there are some example graphs included in the Kiwi Park model, schools are free to use any pictorial representation they wish.