Your complete finance function, from transaction to boardroom
Run by qualified charity accountants for one fixed monthly fee. Less than the cost of one in-house hire.
No commitment. Just clarity on where you stand.
We take on a maximum of 4 new charities each quarter.
We're Proud To Support Charities Changing The World
"You will be blown away by what Charity Accounting Partners can offer. I have been so impressed by the level of professionalism."
Nathan Schmaltz, Finance Lead, World Parrot Trust
Proud partner of the Charity Excellence Framework
We're committed to strengthening financial governance across the UK charity sector. Our partnership with the Charity Excellence Framework reflects a shared belief that every charity deserves access to high-quality financial support, and that stronger finances lead to greater impact.
Do These Sound Familiar?
If any of these feel familiar, you are not alone. These are the situations we hear about most from charity leaders.
Mistakes slip through. Key deadlines get missed. Leadership loses confidence in the numbers.
Decisions get delayed. Trustees are left guessing. Opportunities pass before you can act.
Board meetings become uncomfortable. Governance weakens. Trust erodes quietly.
Audit fees escalate. Your team burns out. Compliance risks mount with every passing week.
Funders lose confidence. Clawback risk grows. Future funding relationships are jeopardised.
Reserves dwindle unnoticed. Emergency decisions replace planned ones. Programme delivery suffers.
From reliable records to confident leadership
Every element of your finance function tuned to give trustees, CEOs and funders the clarity they need.
Trust Every Number in Your Reports
Accurate, up-to-date financial data every month
Trustees can rely on reports with confidence
Show Funders Exactly Where Their Money Goes
Every grant tracked separately with clear audit trails
Funders receive compliant reporting without delays
Make Faster, Better-Informed Decisions
Clear financial story, not just columns of numbers
Leadership and trustees make informed decisions faster
End the Year Without the Year-End Panic
Reconciliations, schedules, and evidence organised in advance
Smooth sign-off with zero last-minute pressure
We Present at Your Board Meetings
We attend trustee and board meetings to present financials clearly
Board members get direct answers from your finance team
Plain English for Every Stakeholder
No jargon: we communicate in language everyone understands
Every stakeholder feels confident engaging with finance
Most charities only fix this once problems become visible. The ones that act earlier stay in control.
Charities like yours that we've helped
Real results from growing UK charities with income over £500K, including those with international programmes.
Medical Charity
2-day close, trustee reports delivered on time every month
"CAP transformed our finance function. We finally have numbers we can trust."
UK Charitable Society
Consistent, reliable reporting; freed up leadership time
"We didn't realise how much time we were spending on finance until CAP took it over."
Conservation Charity
Simplified reporting, improved funder relationships
"Managing 15 different funders is now actually manageable."
Community Health Charity
Clean books, first successful independent examination
"We finally feel in control of our finances for the first time."
Youth Development Trust
Grant tracking streamlined, funder confidence restored
"CAP helped us prove to funders that every penny is accounted for."
Arts & Culture Foundation
Month-end reduced from 3 weeks to 3 days, board reports automated
"Our trustees now get the numbers they need without us chasing spreadsheets."
Regional Housing Charity
SORP-compliant accounts delivered ahead of deadline, audit prep halved
"Year-end used to keep me up at night. Not anymore."
Why charities trust CAP
ICAEW Chartered Accountants
KPMG trained
UK charity specialists only
SORP-compliant reporting
Experts in international charity operations
One finance function, from transaction to boardroom
Run by us and accountable to your trustees. Everything stays in your systems and remains yours: we operate it, we never gatekeep it.
Setup
Two to four weeks
- Onboarding and identity checks
- Process and controls review in week one
- Your accounting system set up as a single source of truth
- Fund accounting and income stream tracking built in
- Balance sheet reconciled line by line
- Reporting pack agreed with your trustees
- An orderly handover from your current arrangements
Every month
- Books current, every account reconciled
- Supplier invoices processed and paid on time
- Management accounts by fund and income stream
- Plain English commentary, with decisions framed for trustees
- Your team on Teams, email, phone or WhatsApp, never billed for questions
Every quarter
- Board finance report with the forecast refreshed
- Gift Aid claims prepared and submitted
- VAT returns, where required
- Scenario analysis ahead of board meetings
Every year
- Statutory accounts and Trustees' Annual Report financial sections under the Charities SORP
- Independent examination or audit supported end to end
- Every Charity Commission filing, including the annual return
- Annual budget built around your plans
- Reserves policy and treasury review
Included at no extra cost: video reporting, monthly walkthrough meetings, finance meeting minutes, trustee inductions, team training, our risk register and Gift Aid platforms.
What your trustees receive every month
Sample Charity
Management accounts, September
Income to date
£312k
£14k over budget
Surplus to date
£18k
£9k over budget
Cash at bank
£146k
4.8 months of costs
Free reserves
5.6 months
Policy is 6 months
Monthly income against budget
Inside every pack
Performance
- KPI dashboard
- Budget against actual, every variance explained
- Income and expenditure by fund and income stream
- Programme value matrix
Financial statements
- Statement of financial activities
- Statement of financial position
- Twelve-month cash flow forecast
Strategy
- Financial roadmap
- Income pipeline
- Strategic risks
Board
- Decisions and actions with our recommendation
- A short video walkthrough of the month
Your pack is designed with your team during setup, around the numbers and decisions that matter to you.
How CAP compares
| Hiring in-house | Typical accountancy firm | Charity Accounting Partners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | £50,000 to £60,000 a year plus on-costs, for one person | Hourly or per job, with extras | One fixed monthly fee, year end included |
| Cover | One person, with gaps for holidays, sickness and turnover | Mostly annual | A whole qualified team, monthly, quarterly and annually |
| Expertise | Depends on the hire | Many sectors | UK charities only, every team member qualified |
| Priced as | A salary | A compliance cost | An investment measured by return |
| Questions | Part of the job | Often billed | Never billed |
Cost
- Hiring in-house
- £50,000 to £60,000 a year plus on-costs, for one person
- Typical accountancy firm
- Hourly or per job, with extras
- Charity Accounting Partners
- One fixed monthly fee, year end included
Cover
- Hiring in-house
- One person, with gaps for holidays, sickness and turnover
- Typical accountancy firm
- Mostly annual
- Charity Accounting Partners
- A whole qualified team, monthly, quarterly and annually
Expertise
- Hiring in-house
- Depends on the hire
- Typical accountancy firm
- Many sectors
- Charity Accounting Partners
- UK charities only, every team member qualified
Priced as
- Hiring in-house
- A salary
- Typical accountancy firm
- A compliance cost
- Charity Accounting Partners
- An investment measured by return
Questions
- Hiring in-house
- Part of the job
- Typical accountancy firm
- Often billed
- Charity Accounting Partners
- Never billed
Simple, fixed pricing
- One-off setup fee
- One fixed monthly fee
- Year end included, spread monthly
- No VAT charged
- No minimum term, 30 days' notice, no exit penalty
- Questions never billed
Fees are designed around your income, complexity and your budget.
At under 1%, CAP pays for itself
- 1% more income
- £0
- 1% lower costs
- £0
- A better position of
- £0
Illustrative, not a guarantee. Book a call and we will show you the numbers for your charity.
Where the return comes from
Income streams that pay their way
Contribution by stream shows which programmes, prices and services to grow.
Costs that scale
Supplier, contract and VAT reviews, so spending grows slower than income.
Trustee time back
Numbers ready to use, so board time is spent on decisions, not spreadsheets.
Gift Aid claimed in full
Every £10,000 of eligible donations claimed adds £2,500 of unrestricted income.
Reserves working harder
Cash managed so it earns a better return.
Fees backed by evidence
Cost per service, ready for contract and fee negotiations.
The CAP Sustainability Framework
- 1
Diversified income
No single funder holds your future.
- 2
Stable cost base
Every service costed and costs under control.
- 3
Consistent surpluses
Each year ends in surplus, by design.
- 4
Sufficient reserves
Reserves at your policy level, protecting services.
- 5
Treasury and investment
Surplus cash put to work.
Your journey
Phase 1 · Month 1
Strong start
- Systems deep dive
- Single source of financial truth
- Financial policies reviewed
- All stakeholders met
- Process and controls review
Phase 2 · Month 2
Clarity
- Financial KPIs agreed
- First management accounts delivered
- Report walkthrough with your CEO
- Compliance certainty
Phase 3 · Year 1
Performance
- Year end from clean books
- Successful independent examination or audit
- Contribution by income stream
- Budget with the growth path modelled
Phase 4 · Year 1 and beyond
Sustainability
- Income diversity
- Consistent surpluses
- Reserves above policy
- Treasury and investment plan
Each phase moves at the pace your trustees choose.
Meet Your Expert Charity Finance Team
When you work with CAP, you get a dedicated team of qualified professionals who specialise exclusively in the charity sector.
Carl Wakeford ACA
Founder & CEO
Ex-KPMG. Public sector auditor. Charity finance specialist.
Your senior contact and the trustees' first call.
Sarika Ramsewak
Strategic Head of Finance
Strategic finance expert. Deep charity sector knowledge.
Pao Alimagno CPA
Head of Accounting
Fund accounting expert. Unlocks financial visibility.
Leads your accounting and monthly close.
Kleivoun Pascual CPA
Financial Reporting Manager
Reporting lead. Turns month end into clear management information.
Produces your monthly board pack.
Your primary accountant
Qualified, assigned on signing, owns your books day to day.
Several people see every message, so your service never depends on one person.
Carl Wakeford ACA
Founder & CEO
Ex-KPMG · Charity Finance Specialist
Meet the Founder
Early in my career at KPMG, I audited some of the UK's most important charities. I saw first-hand how even well-intentioned organisations were let down by finance functions that hadn't kept pace with their growth. Reports arrived late, boards made decisions without reliable numbers, and teams spent more time firefighting than delivering their mission.
It saddened me deeply to see the impact this had on brilliant charities and their leaders. These organisations existed to change lives, yet they were being held back. I knew that with the right financial foundations, charities could operate with the same confidence and clarity as the best-run organisations I'd worked with.
That conviction is why I founded CAP. I believe that best-practice accounting isn't a luxury reserved for larger organisations. It's the bedrock of financial sustainability and, ultimately, mission delivery. When a charity's finances are solid, trustees govern with confidence, funders trust the numbers, and leadership can focus on what actually matters: impact.
Every charity we partner with becomes part of our extended family. We take that responsibility seriously, and it drives everything we do.
The Finance Partner Charities Deserve
We are not like other providers. No lock-ins, no gatekeeping. We earn your trust every single month.
Flexible contracts with no lock-in periods
We're so confident in the value we deliver that we don't need to tie you in. Stay because it works, not because you're stuck.
Clear offboarding plans you'll never need
From day one, we provide a transparent exit plan. With a 100% client retention rate, no one's used it yet.
A genuine extension of your team
We embed ourselves in your operations and mission delivery. No gatekeeping, no risk: your charity remains fully in control.
Fully scalable services
As your charity grows, we grow with you. Our support adapts to your needs at every stage.
Your success is our success
The longevity of our partnership is directly linked to your financial position and sustainability. We genuinely care that you grow.
An informal 20 minutes with a senior charity accountant
No sales pitch, no pressure, no obligation. Just a straightforward conversation with a senior charity accountant who understands your world.
20 minutes, focused entirely on you
We'll listen to where you are, what's working, and what's not. No questionnaires, no preparation needed on your end.
Honest assessment, not a sales script
You'll hear what we genuinely think, including whether we're the right fit. If we're not, we'll tell you and point you in the right direction.
Walk away with something useful
Every call ends with at least one actionable insight you can use immediately, whether or not you choose to work with us.
Zero risk, zero commitment
There's no follow-up chase, no email sequence, no awkward callback. If it's right, you'll know, and so will we.
Prefer we call you?
Share a few details and we'll call you back at a time that suits you. No sales. No pressure.
“As a charity, outsourcing financial management can feel like a daunting step, requiring a high degree of trust and confidence in the provider. Charity Accounting Partners have made that process seamless for Croydon Mencap.”
Katherine Wynne
CEO, Croydon Mencap
Ready to strengthen your finance function?
Book a short conversation with one of our charity finance specialists. No preparation needed, no obligation. Just honest, useful advice.
No obligations. Just clarity on where you stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our finance function services.
Why do your fees differ from a typical accountant's?
Because the service is different. A typical firm prices compliance, often with hourly extras. Our fixed fee covers the whole finance function every month, year end included, and is designed to pay for itself through better income, costs and returns.
How is this different from a bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper records transactions. We own the finance function end to end, from bookkeeping and Gift Aid to board reporting, year end and filings, delivered by qualified charity accountants.
What happens to our current arrangements?
Nothing changes until your trustees decide. We then work alongside your team on a planned, respectful handover, with no gap in cover.
What if it does not work out?
No minimum term and no exit penalty. Either side can end the engagement on 30 days' notice, and everything stays in your systems.
Do you examine accounts you prepare?
No. We never examine accounts we prepare. We work with independent examiners and auditors and manage the process end to end.
Do you work with charities outside London?
Yes. Our advisors serve UK charities nationwide. The team operates remotely using cloud accounting software, so location is never a barrier. Communication happens through video calls, phone, WhatsApp, and email.
What accounting software do you use?
Our team runs most major platforms including Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, and specialist charity systems. Expect a clear recommendation on the best fit for your charity, or a clean adoption of your existing system.
How quickly can you take over our finance function?
Typically we're fully operational within 2-4 weeks. This includes system access, data review, and bringing your records up to date if needed.
Do you handle restricted funds and grant tracking?
Absolutely. Restricted fund management is core to what we do. We track every grant separately, ensure proper allocation, and provide clear reporting for funders and trustees.
What happens at year end?
We prepare your full year-end accounts ready for your auditor or independent examiner. This includes all schedules, reconciliations, and SORP-compliant financial statements. We even proactively draft the trustees' annual report for your review and approval, so nothing is left to the last minute.
Can we contact you with urgent queries?
Yes. All clients have access to their dedicated accountant via email, phone, and WhatsApp. We typically respond within a few hours during business days. For strategic matters, you can also reach our senior accountants directly. We work closely with CEOs and treasurers to ensure leadership always has the financial insight they need.
Are your accountants qualified?
Yes. Our team includes ACA, ACCA, and AAT qualified professionals, all with specific charity sector experience. You'll work with people who understand the unique requirements of charity finance.
Do you work alongside in-house finance team members?
Yes, we regularly work alongside in-house finance staff. Whether you have a part-time bookkeeper, a finance officer, or a full team, we integrate seamlessly to fill gaps and strengthen capacity. We also offer training and professional development support to help your team build confidence with charity-specific accounting, SORP compliance, grant reporting, and more.
Can you attend our board or finance committee meetings?
Yes. We regularly attend trustee board meetings and finance committee meetings on behalf of our clients. We present financial reports in plain English, answer trustee questions, and help ensure your governance obligations are met with confidence.
Do you work directly with budget holders and programme managers?
Absolutely. We work closely with budget holders across your organisation to support grant tracking, budget monitoring, and spend forecasting. This ensures programme managers have the financial visibility they need without adding to their admin burden.
Charity accounting insights
Practical reading on charity accounting, SORP and management reporting.
Non-Profit Accounting in the UK: A Complete Guide for 2026
Everything trustees and CEOs need to know about charity accounting standards, SORP and reporting.
Read articleCommon charity finance mistakes, and how to avoid them
The recurring errors we see in charity books, and the simple fixes that prevent them.
Read articleA guide to charity accounts: all you need to know
Receipts & payments vs accruals, thresholds, SoFA and what trustees should expect to see.
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