Accountants for Charities
Charity finances are different. Your accountant should understand why.
Running a charity brings financial responsibilities that go beyond those of an ordinary business. Trustees need reliable financial information, charities must meet specific accounting and reporting requirements, and every pound needs to be managed with care.
At Counted, charity accounting is one of our specialist areas. We understand the regulatory framework, the different ways charities operate and the practical challenges of managing an organisation that exists to deliver public benefit.
We bring professional accountancy expertise together with extensive experience of working with charities, from small volunteer-led organisations to established charities with employees, contracts and multiple funding streams.
Specialist accounting and financial support for charities
Your annual accounts and regulatory returns are important, but they are only part of the picture.
We can support your charity with:
Annual accounts prepared under the appropriate charity accounting framework
Receipts and payments accounts or accruals accounts, as required
Independent examinations
Trustees' annual reports and financial reporting
Fund accounting and restricted fund reporting
Bookkeeping and financial record keeping
Payroll and workplace pensions
VAT and charity tax matters
Management accounts, budgets and cash flow forecasts
Advice on accounting systems and financial processes
Whether your income comes from donations, grants, fundraising, trading activities, contracts or a combination of these, we'll help you understand what the numbers are telling you and keep on top of your responsibilities.
We understand charities
Charities aren't simply businesses that don't make a profit.
They operate within a distinct legal and regulatory framework, with responsibilities that depend on their structure, activities and size.
Fund accounting, restricted and unrestricted income, trustee responsibilities, reserves, public benefit reporting and the Charities SORP all matter. So does understanding the financial implications of fundraising, trading activities, grants and contracts.
We've worked extensively with charities of different sizes and structures, including Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), charitable companies and unincorporated charities.
We understand the challenges faced by volunteer trustees, as well as those managing larger organisations with paid staff, multiple projects and complex funding arrangements.
That experience means you shouldn't have to explain to your accountant how charity finances work before you can start talking about your organisation.
Building a financially sustainable charity
Being a charity doesn't remove the need for sound financial management.
Charities need to understand their costs, manage cash flow, plan for future commitments and maintain appropriate reserves. They also need to ensure that restricted funds are used for their intended purposes and that trustees have the information they need to make informed decisions.
We believe good financial information should do more than satisfy regulatory requirements.
It should help trustees understand the charity's financial position, assess the sustainability of its activities and make decisions that support its long-term future.
As your charity develops, we can help you think about budgets, reserves, funding arrangements, staffing, financial controls and the implications of growth — giving you a clearer picture of where you are and what comes next.
Already running a charity?
If you're looking for a new accountant or independent examiner, we'll take the time to understand your charity, how it operates and what support you need.
Whether you're a small volunteer-led organisation needing help with annual accounts or an established charity looking for ongoing financial support, we'll work with you to identify the services that are right for your organisation.
We'll also help make the change from your existing accountant as straightforward as possible.
Establishing a new charity?
If you're in the process of setting up a charity, getting the financial arrangements right from the beginning can make a real difference.
We can help you understand the accounting and tax implications of your chosen structure, the financial records you'll need to maintain and the reporting responsibilities that come with charitable status.
Putting appropriate accounting systems and financial controls in place early can help trustees manage their responsibilities and build a strong foundation for the future.
Your charity has a story. Let's make sure the numbers support it.
If you're looking for an accountant who understands charities and the responsibilities that come with running one, we'd like to hear yours.
Counted LLP
Every organisation has a story. We'd be proud to be part of yours.
Registered in England & Wales Company number OC449539 | Registered Office: 2 Geordie Ridley Place, Blaydon on Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE21 5BT | Phone: 0191 323 2390