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.
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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.
