The third sector and terrorism

The Institute of Chartered Accountants’ seminar on charities on Thursday included a thought-provoking session on charities, terrorism and fraud.

I must confess a degree of doubt over whether the WRVS would be targeted by Osama Bin Laden. Moreover, I think that the banks’ money-laundering regulations get in the way of civil society much more than criminals and terrorists who would merrily steal identities to circumvent the bureaucracy. Nevertheless, terrorism should be borne in mind when addressing fraud and other criminal threats as good risk management.

The Charity Commission’s operational guidance on Charities and Terrorism is useful and relevant in the public and third sectors beyond charities.