Former and current trustees at a Christian charity failed to have ‘adequate oversight or control’ over more than 100 bank accounts being operated by its individual branches, according to the Charity Commission.

The regulator’s investigation into Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International found the the trustees’ lack of control over the accounts meant the charity’s money was “at risk across the organisation’s extensive network” and had resulted in financial losses.

The charity’s “complex structure” was a key problem identified, with the Commission detailing how it had grown from a handful of branches to more than 90 UK wide.

“Branches operated autonomously, opening bank accounts without central oversight and failing to report income in a timely manner,” found the regulator.

This “created substantial risks to charitable funds and resulted in inaccurate financial reporting”, it added.

“Additionally, branch offices were making significant financial decisions, including property purchases and lease agreements, without trustee knowledge or authorisation.”

Financial losses included some branches occupying properties without first obtaining the necessary planning permission, which resulted in “costly legal action”.

Also, employment contracts were not being overseen effectively by former and current trustees which had resulted in payments being made to settle employment disputes.

Action taken by the regulator included appointing an interim manager for five years from 2019. This manager was in place for so long “due to the complexity of the reform needed at the charity”.

It had also frozen its assets and issued the charity with an action plan to improve its governance, which the Commission “is now satisfied” trustees have complied with.

“The rapid growth of a charity comes with correspondingly larger potential risks, as our inquiry clearly shows,” said Charity Commission head of investigations Amy Spiller.
“In this case, the trustees’ fundamental failure to maintain financial controls meant donor funds were at serious risk across their entire network.

“Following the intervention of the Commission and the interim manager, the trustees were better able to implement essential reforms, meaning the charity can now operate effectively and focus on delivering its charitable objects.”

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