Charity Accountancy

Accounting, auditing, tax and strategic advice for charities

Transparency, Trust and Public Benefit are all key aspects behind the ethos of the Charity Sector. We will support and guide you to ensure your goals have clarity, a clear definition of your objectives, strong financial records and controls are maintained and your stakeholders understand the beneficiaries that you support.

Download our services brochure

Learn more about our approach to supporting your charity and download your copy of our services for charities brochure – ‘Peace of Mind for your Charity’

download now

Charity Structure

We will advise you on selecting the right charity structure at the outset to provide you with a strong foundation from which to build upon for the future.

Board of Trustees

Our guidance on the role and responsibilities of being a trustee will clarify your position and your interaction with other members of the board. Our proactive advice will ensure your charity is successful and establishes a strong proactive board who can effectively managed and monitor the charity’s strategic direction.

Trustees Report

We will advise you on the key aspects of the annual report to ensure you prepare a quality report which enhances the understanding to the user of the accounts of the ethos of your charity, allows an insight into your uniqueness and demonstrates the vital support needed by your beneficiaries.

Risk Management

Strong governance procedures over the management of risk whether through a risk register, brainstorming new funding opportunities or day to day management responsibilities.

Financial controls and systems

Our experience of implementing robust financial systems and controls will enhance transparency and gain trust in your management information.

Fund Allocation

Crucial to the accuracy of charity accounting is the allocation of funding to the correct charitable funds. Through clear definitions on how to identify which type of fund applies, we will ensure that your expenditure is correctly allocated resulting in your charity enhancing its own funds for future purposes.

Call NOW to speak to one of our Accountants

Call: 0808 144 5575

Our experienced team can support you through any stage of the lifecycle of a charity from its establishment through to merger or dissolution. Our team passionately cares about the sector and the vital services offered only the by Third Sector. Our work includes the provision of specialist advice on regulation, charity management and external scrutiny.

Our team of charity specialists, many of whom hold the Diploma in Charity Accounting, have been trustees themselves and have that unique understanding of undertaking a voluntary role with its regulatory responsibilities.

We act for around 80 charity clients of all sizes with a variety of charitable activities but who all have the same goal of providing support and guidance to key beneficiaries.

What our clients say

The service provided by Armstrong Watson, and in particular the support and advice from Karen, Lauren and their colleagues to support us through this process has been immensely helpful.

Their knowledge of charity sector financial regulations and reporting requirements, and the professional way in which they approached this important work made the whole process much less challenging for us than we anticipated. I would, without reservation, endorse and recommend your services.

Tynedale Hospice at Home

We find Simon and his team very approachable and open to conversation on any accounting issues that arise during the year. This means when we come to year end we do not see lots of swings in our numbers but also ensures we know what we need to do to make the audit run smoothly and to plan ahead of time.

Goodwin Development Trust

The relationship we have with Armstrong Watson is incredibly important to us. We’re fully confident that all compliance obligations are met and that our best interests are always front of
mind. They truly are our trusted advisers and their input and guidance has proven invaluable.

Armstrong Watson are very knowledgeable of not for profit accounts which makes the audit process much smoother and discussions around organisational need and improvements much easier and applicable. We have been very satisfied with the service from Armstrong Watson.

Jo Collin - Finance Manager, Cumbria CVS

Armstrong Watson have been the appointed external auditors for Cumbria CVS for the past 4 years. Throughout this time, we have always found them to be professional, knowledgeable and reasonable.

We have been able to meet all of our filing deadlines whilst they have been appointed.

Both the auditing staff and managers are friendly but professional and very understanding of organisational need. The staff possess good communication skills and have been very helpful and approachable giving advice, especially through times of transitions within our organisation.

Armstrong Watson are also very knowledgeable of charity accounts which makes the audit process much smoother and discussions around organisational need and improvements much easier and applicable.

We have been very satisfied with the service from Armstrong Watson.

Jo Collin, Finance Manager, Cumbria CVS

Armstrong Watson have been extremely helpful in assisting Eureka secure a Museums and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief claim. At the outset, Olivia came to visit the museum to see the exhibition space and to talk us through the claim, showing knowledge and enthusiasm. Throughout the process, Will kept me updated on the progress of the claim, advising us on the qualifying costs and accompanying narrative, to ensure all eligible expenses were included in the claim and our filing position was robust. Thanks to Armstrong Watson’s proactive advice, we have been able to make a substantial claim this year and have gained valuable insights which will allow us to maximise the available relief for future exhibitions.

Andy Forbes, Finance Director at Eureka! The National Children’s Museum

We are an amateur performing arts theatre in Carlisle and Armstrong Watson have handled our accounts and prepared our end of year balance sheet for many years, providing us with an outstanding service at all times.

More recently we have had a closer relationship as I have been working with Katy Consterdine who maintains our banking transactions and book-keeping for the past two years. Nothing is too much trouble for Katy or any other of the staff. I look forward to my monthly visits and I always feel confident leaving my company's records in their hands. It is like working with a real family: such is the quality of the teamwork. The personal touch provided, in my dealings with the staff, consolidates my confidence in Armstrong Watson.

Having experienced first hand the exquisite services they provide, I have no hesitation in recommending Armstrong Watson and shall continue to form long term business relationships with their staff.

David Wood,Treasurer of Carlisle Green Room Club