The Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland has opened a consultation that could lead to charities having to file accounts with the regulator from next January.

The consultation was launched on Tuesday by social development minister for Northern Ireland, Mervyn Storey and proposes a regulatory system run by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI), similar to the Charity Commission in England.

The changes would require that charities in Northern Ireland file their annual accounts with the CCNI – with provision being made by the regulator for the preparation and scrutiny of accounts.

The consultation is also seeking views on whether it should change the income threshold that determines which charities’ accounts are scrutinised.

In a statement this week, Storey said: “This consultation proposes regulations which, for the first time in Northern Ireland, will make it a legal requirement for charities to file their annual accounts with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

“It also aims to promote transparency and public confidence in both individual charities and the charitable sector as a whole. I would call on anyone with an interest in this area to participate in this consultation.”

There are currently an estimated 7,500 to 23,000 charities in Northern Ireland. The proposed regulations will affect all registered charities and come into effect from January next year.  

The eight week consultation is open now and runs until 30 October, 2015. Consultation documents are available from the Department for Social Development’s website.