Specialist Accountants for Charities & Non-Profit Organisations
Helping registered charities, CIOs, CICs, social enterprises and community organisations with bookkeeping, annual accounts, payroll, Gift Aid support where eligible, charity VAT and financial reporting. We help trustees and finance teams keep records organised and meet the reporting requirements relevant to their organisation.
Get Your Free Charity Accounting Consultation
If you are looking for experienced charity accountants, we can support your organisation with accounts, bookkeeping, payroll, Gift Aid claims where eligible, charity VAT and relevant reporting requirements. The appropriate accounting and reporting framework will depend on your organisation’s legal structure, income, activities and the type of accounts it prepares.
We work with registered charities, CIOs, CICs, social enterprises and community organisations. Our role is to help trustees and finance teams maintain clear records, prepare relevant filings and understand the accounting obligations that apply to their circumstances.
Complete the form to speak with our charity accounting team.
Why Choose Us as Your Charity Accountants
- Experience in charity and not-for-profit accounting
- Support for registered charities, CIOs, CICs, social enterprises and community organisations
- Support with Charities SORP 2026 where applicable, Charity Commission reporting and the accounting requirements relevant to the organisation’s structure
- Transparent, fixed-fee pricing with no hidden costs
- Dedicated accounting support for trustees and finance teams
- Support with Gift Aid claims for eligible charities, charity VAT and grant accounting
- Cloud bookkeeping support using Xero and QuickBooks
- UK-wide cloud accounting support, with local support available in London and surrounding areas
Who Needs a Specialist Charity Accountant?
You may require specialist charity accounting support if you are:
- A registered charity preparing annual accounts
- A CIC or social enterprise managing grant or restricted income
- Trustees responsible for financial governance and compliance
- Receiving funding from donors, grant providers, or public bodies
- A charity managing Gift Aid claims or charity VAT treatment
- Preparing for an independent examination or audit
Relevant charity-sector accounting experience can be particularly useful where an organisation has restricted funds, Gift Aid claims, grants, Charity Commission reporting requirements or external scrutiny obligations.
Our Core Charity Accounting Services
Charity Accounting & Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping and reconciliations structured to support annual accounts, restricted and unrestricted fund tracking, grant records and financial reporting.
Annual Accounts & Independent Examination
Preparation of annual accounts under the applicable charity reporting framework, together with independent examination support where required and appropriate. Charities SORP 2026 applies where relevant to the reporting period and type of accounts being prepared.
Payroll & Pensions for Charity Staff
Payroll processing, RTI submissions and workplace pension support for charity employees and eligible workers, with volunteer expense records handled separately where required.
Charity VAT & Gift Aid Support
Support with charity VAT, including partial exemption where relevant, and Gift Aid claims for eligible charities and donations.
Charity Tax Returns & HMRC Compliance
Where an HMRC return or other filing is required, we can support its preparation and submission and consider relevant charitable tax exemptions based on the organisation's circumstances.
Financial Reporting & Governance Support
Clear, accurate reports for trustees and funders to make informed decisions.
What Happens If Charity Accounts Are Done Incorrectly?
Errors or late submissions can create regulatory or practical problems, including Charity Commission reporting issues, problems with HMRC or Gift Aid claims, additional work for trustees and questions from funders or other stakeholders. The consequences will depend on the type and seriousness of the issue.
Using accountants with relevant charity-sector experience can help reduce avoidable errors and support trustees in keeping accounting records and required filings up to date.
Free Consultation
Call us on 0333 023 1300 to get a free consultation and receive a proposal and fee quote.
Meet Online
Can’t visit our office? lets arrange a video consultation with an expert accountant at Accounting People Ltd.
Our Fantastic Clients
Experienced Accountants Supporting Charities & Non-Profits
Professional Standards & Charity Accounting Experience
Our team includes ACCA-qualified accountants and Xero-certified professionals with experience supporting charities, CIOs, CICs, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations across the UK.
We support clients with bookkeeping, annual accounts, payroll, Gift Aid claims where eligible, charity VAT, grant accounting and financial reporting, with the appropriate approach determined by the organisation’s structure and circumstances.
Accounting People is an ACCA Approved Employer, recognising the standards of staff training and development within the firm. Our focus is on clear accounting records, transparent reporting and practical ongoing support for trustees and finance teams.
What people are saying about us
Kind regards
Katherine
My account manager, Asim, has been exceptionally helpful — he explains everything clearly, responds quickly, and makes the whole process smooth and stress-free. I genuinely feel valued as a client.
I strongly recommend Accounting People, and especially Asim. Keep up the great work!
The team are always on hand whenever I need advice, quick to respond, and genuinely supportive. Nothing ever feels like too much trouble, and it’s clear they take pride in looking after their clients properly.
As someone juggling multiple businesses, having accountants I can fully trust has made a huge difference. I highly recommend Accounting People Ltd to anyone looking for a reliable, knowledgeable, and friendly firm to handle their accounts.
Ian Luke and his team run an extremely professional outfit. When I first transitioned to a limited company, they guided me through the entire setup process and explained everything clearly, making what could have been a complicated journey feel straightforward and well-supported.
I have been assigned a dedicated Account Manager, Umair Iqbal, who has been nothing short of outstanding. He’s always available when I call, and if he’s tied up, he gets back to me the same day without fail. He explains everything patiently and clearly, is proactive in keeping me compliant, and genuinely takes the stress out of my company’s tax obligations. I’ve even entrusted them with my personal tax returns, and the service there has been just as seamless.
Accounting People handle all my VAT returns, corporation tax, and the full range of services you’d expect for managing a company’s tax liability — professionally, efficiently, and with real attention to detail.
After six years with them, I can confidently say they’re a firm you can trust. Highly recommended to any contractor or small business owner looking for dependable, responsive, top-quality accounting support.
HN Pack & Storage ltd
London.
The team is always responsive, professional, and supportive. Ian is always quick to answer my emails with any queries that I have and explain things clearly.
The team at Accounting People Ltd make the tax return process straightforward, saving me both time and effort each year. Their advice has been really helpful in ensuring everything is organised efficiently and tax obligations are handled correctly.
Accounting People Ltd genuinely care about their clients and deliver a smooth, efficient service.
Hi Sohaib & Ian,
My relationship and the service delivery from Accounting People can best be described as highly professional, supportive on all matters relating to my business, timely and courteous - always - and prepared to ‘go the extra mile’.
At a personal level it is a pleasure to be supported by your company representatives.
Many thanks for ongoing support. Best wishes,
Gerald Maguire,
Moderator Consulting Ltd.
Communication is always prompt and friendly, and I truly feel confident knowing my finances are in safe hands. I would highly recommend Aalyan Muhammad and Rashid Iqbal to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy accountant.
The team at AP are always friendly, helpful and reply quickly, nothing is ever too much and honestly couldn't recommend enough.
Look forward to continued business.
Accounting People Ltd has been our supporting accounting company for well over 15 years. They have been very professional in their service delivery, built an excellent relationship with us, submitted our annual accounts returns and statements on time, always at a competitive cost with no hidden additions. And they answered all relevant queries relating to our business and charitable activities all those years without any fines and misunderstandings.
I recommend them to any individuals and companies, and be rest assured that all your accounting burdens will be dealt professionally.
The end of year tax call is no stress at all for me because I know the team look after everything for me.
They then submit their finished accounts onto an easy to use online portal for me to check over and sign and, done!
I would highly recommend them as a small business owner.
What I appreciate most is their clear and responsive communication. Whether it's explaining complex matters in simple terms or keeping me updated on key deadlines and changes, they are always professional, approachable, and reliable.
I highly recommend Accounting People to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and communicative accounting firm that truly adds value.
What I really value is the personal touch — they don’t just “do the numbers,” they take time to understand my goals and go the extra mile. As I start a new venture, a quick chat turned into the partner offering their full support, even stepping in to handle due diligence without hesitation.
It’s rare to find accountants who combine expertise with such genuine care. I honestly couldn’t ask for more
Their advice has helped me save time, reduce tax burdens, and stay financially organised—something that’s been invaluable in my busy professional life. One moment that really stood out was when they guided me through a complex financial situation with clarity and confidence, resulting in a great decision for my particular circumstance.
From day one, their team has been incredibly responsive, supportive, and easy to work with. They take the stress out of accounting and make everything run smoothly and efficiently. Thanks to their ongoing support and strategic insights, I’ve seen real growth and stability in my personal tax liabilities and business. I always feel like I have a trusted partner in my corner.
If you're looking for an accounting team that’s not only professional but also genuinely cares about your success, I highly recommend Accounting People. They’ve made a real difference for me.
Their team is always responsive, professional, and proactive — whether it’s helping with documentation, answering tax queries, or reminding me of upcoming deadlines. The entire process is efficient and well-organized, which has made managing our finances much easier.
They’ve not only saved us time and stress, but also helped reduce our tax burden through smart, tailored advice. A great example was their guidance on handling rental income more effectively, which resulted in meaningful tax savings.
Thanks to their expertise, I’ve been able to stay focused on my work while feeling confident that our finances are in good hands. I would highly recommend Accounting People to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and trustworthy accounting partner.
From day one, they’ve provided exceptional support in managing my UK taxes with ease, while also helping me seamlessly reconcile my Spanish and English tax obligations. They’ve also made obtaining my UK certificates of tax residency a total breeze — something that used to feel overwhelming!
The team has been incredibly responsive, efficient, and knowledgeable. Their approach to accounting is not just easy — it’s stress-free. I always feel like I’m in safe hands.



My account manager, Sohaib, has been outstanding. He is professional, attentive, and always quick to provide clear and practical advice.
One of the biggest differences I’ve noticed is how Accounting People’s guidance has made financial decisions smoother and given me peace of mind, knowing that my accounts are in capable hands.
I would strongly recommend Accounting People to anyone looking for a reliable and knowledgeable accounting partner.



What really stands out is how proactive they are, they take the time to offer genuinely helpful advice tailored to my situation.
The team are experts and always responsive and supportive. Any time I’ve had a question (and there have been a few!), they’ve come back quickly with clear, helpful answers. That level of service and attention has made a huge difference, and I have far more confidence in how my finances are managed.
If you're looking for someone to take the stress out of self-assessment and give you solid, proactive advice along the way, I’d wholeheartedly recommend them.


frequently asked questions
Not necessarily. A suitably experienced accountant may be able to support a charity, but relevant charity-sector experience can be valuable where there are restricted funds, grants, Gift Aid, Charity Commission reporting requirements, independent examination or Charities SORP reporting. The appropriate support depends on the organisation’s structure and circumstances.
An audit provides a higher level of assurance than an independent examination. For charities in England and Wales with accounting years ending before 30 September 2026, an audit is generally required where gross income exceeds £1 million, or where gross income exceeds £250,000 and gross assets exceed £3.26 million. A governing document, funder or the Charity Commission can also require an audit.
For accounting years ending on or after 30 September 2026, the statutory thresholds change: the main income audit threshold rises to £1.5 million, while the asset-based threshold rises to £5 million with the associated income threshold increasing to £500,000. The independent-examination threshold also rises from £25,000 to £40,000. The appropriate requirement should therefore be checked against the charity’s year end and circumstances.
Yes. We can support charities with VAT and Gift Aid administration. Gift Aid is available to charities and CASCs recognised by HMRC for tax purposes and only applies to eligible donations where the relevant conditions are met. Charity VAT treatment can also vary according to the organisation’s activities, with taxable, exempt, zero-rated or non-business treatment potentially applying in different circumstances.
Charities preparing accruals accounts for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026 should use Charities SORP 2026. The SORP sets the accounting and reporting framework for areas including income, expenditure, funds and disclosures. Some eligible non-company charities may instead be permitted to prepare receipts and payments accounts, so the correct framework depends on the charity’s structure, income and reporting period.
Yes, we work with Community Interest Companies (CICs), social enterprises, and local community organisations of all sizes. Whether you’re newly formed or well established, we’ll manage your bookkeeping, accounts, and reporting so you can focus on delivering impact.
Yes. We can support charities with PAYE, RTI reporting and workplace pension requirements for employed staff and eligible workers. Volunteer expenses are separate from payroll and should be recorded and processed according to their nature.
