UNISON has introduced a dedicated Annual Financial Return (AFR) support service for branches that require assistance with:
- Branch AFR audit
- Accounts completion and AFR audit
Services fees:
|
Branch size |
AFR audit only | Accounts completion & AFR audit |
|
Over 3,000 |
£850 |
£1,500 |
|
1,000-3,000 |
£550 |
£1,000 |
| Under 1,000 | £300 |
£500 |
This service is designed to help ensure your branch meets the 15 March 2026 submission deadline and that all financial reporting requirements are completed accurately.
How the support service works
Branches may request one of the following:
- Branch AFR audit only: For branches who have completed the AFR but require an independent review.
- Accounts completion and AFR audit: For branches needing full support, from transaction entry to final review/audit.
Capacity for this service is limited, so we encourage early requests.
Branches will be charged a fee based on the level of support required.
Requirements for accounts completion support
Branches requesting this assistance must provide:
- Full-year bank statements (current, deposit, savings)
- Full-year credit card statements
- Copies of all expense receipts and invoices
- Salary details (payroll summaries, PAYE, P32 reports)
Requirements for AFR audit support
Branches requesting this assistance must ensure that:
- Bank, credit card, and prepaid card reconciliations are complete in OLBA
- December bank, credit card, and prepaid card statements are uploaded in OLBA
- Funding data is confirmed in OLBA
- Staff salaries are entered
- Property lease details are entered
- Branch funding information is completed
- Copies of expense receipts/invoices are available
- Fixed asset purchases are updated
- Year-end bank reconciliations are complete in OLBA
- December bank statements are uploaded in OLBA
- December credit card statements are uploaded in OLBA
Key dates
| Deadline | Action |
| 19 December 2025 | Submit request for AFR support |
| 23 January 2026 | Submit all required documentation |
| 15 March 2026 | Final AFR submission deadline |
Due to capacity, if a branch fails to provide all documentation by 23 January 2026 then the branch will be removed from the assistance list.
How to request support
Click here to complete the AFR Assistance Request Form
AFR Assistance Request Form