A charity who was ‘named and shamed’ in a Senate report last week, has hit back at claims they have failed to keep their accounts in order.

Age Concern, which is an organisation working for the rights of the elderly, was listed as one of the 149 charities that filed their accounts six months late.

But yesterday, Claudette Fleming, executive director of Age Concern explained that any delay in the filing of their accounts was due to the added measure of having it approved by their Annual General Meeting (AGM).

She said: “It is important for the Bermuda public and the Government to know that Age Concern is in compliance with the Charities Act 1978.

“Age Concern’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) had been scheduled to be held on Tuesday, June 5 the same day that Bermuda observed a national holiday to honour Dame Lois Browne Evans.

“As corporate Bermuda will be aware, the AGM is the organisation’s opportunity to approve the audited financial statements.”

The list of ‘delinquent’ organisations was provided by Sen. Wayne Caines, Junior Minister for Labour and Immigration, in response to a Parliamentary Question by Sen. Gina Spence Farmer, Shadow Minister for Community and Cultural Affairs.

Sen. Spence Farmer had asked for the names of registered charities which had failed to submit accounts to the Registrar General within six months and one year of their last financial year, as required by The Charities Act 1978.

And the report revealed that 98 organisations failed to submit their accounts within a year, with 149 failing to do so within six months of the fiscal year end.

Under Government moves, those charities who now fail to submit their annual accounts on time could have their status revoked.

However, Mrs. Fleming feels Age Concern should not be penalised for the added measures they take to ensure proper accounting.

She added: “Age Concern has taken this additional step in the interest of good corporate governance a measure which we believe donors and supporters will value.

“Without this additional step, Age Concern’s financials would have been submitted to the Government well before now. The 2006 accounts have been prepared and approved by our board.

“They will be adopted at our July 5 annual general meeting and immediately thereafter, will be on their way to the Register General.”