What does the Chartered Accountants’ Benevolent Association (CABA) really do?
The CABA is a charity set up to provide advice and practical support to current and former ICAEW chartered accountants and their families. Due to a windfall profit on the disposal of its land several years ago the charity sits on unrestricted reserves of £86 million.
The CABA came under some unwelcome scrutiny thanks to a constructive dismissal claim by an employee back in 2014. According to the ex-employee, “The pay of the managers and the chief executive equated to more than the combined charitable donations it made to 200 clients during the time I was there.”
It was reported back in 2014 that the charity had 27 staff.
In 2015, according to the charity's website, a mere 314 people received financial assistance from the charity, and this was reflected by a staggeringly low take up of its phone support services, 268 people contacted its conselling helpline and just 138 its health support, however both of these were 25% up on the previous year.
With £86 million in the bank perhaps this is one charity that does not need more donations.
