Home » When oversight disappears: More than 100 bank accounts, zero control

When oversight disappears: More than 100 bank accounts, zero control

Published on: by Dionne Sylvester

A recent statutory inquiry found a Christian charity operating with more than 100 bank accounts and little real oversight across its branches. GOV.UK+1

What the investigation revealed:

  • Branches opening accounts independently, without central trustee authorisation. Civil Society+1

  • Significant financial decisions (property leases, agreements) made locally with minimal reporting back. charitytimes.com

  • Trustees unable to demonstrate they had control or visibility — creating serious risk to donor funds. GOV.UK+1

This case reminds us that growth, complexity and ambition don’t automatically bring stronger governance. Sometimes they bring more risk.

At Emmaus Safe we support organisations to turn governance from a challenge into clarity:
Defined roles and decision-points
Consistent reporting and visibility
Culture where oversight is normal, not optional

Questions for reflection:

  • Does your organisation mirror structure or scale without matching oversight?

  • Do you know who owns each decision-point in your branch/venue network?

  • Are your leaders equipped to see when complexity is outpacing governance?