Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you charge for your services?
A: There is absolutely no expectation or pressure to pay anything. At all. Ever. If you want to make a voluntary contribution afterwards you’re welcome to. The charities I work with typically pay £50–200 but there's no obligation.Q: Why is it free?
A: Firstly because I want to offer it for free as a way of supporting the work you do. Secondly I do this as an individual without formal practice overheads, and I try to keep the process efficient by working in two stages - initial and final review.Q: What services do you offer?
A: I carry out independent examinations of charity accounts - it's the standard financial review required by the Charity Commission for most charities, and I verify that your accounts are accurate and properly prepared. I can also assist with the draft accounts preparation although to remain independent for the examination the Trustees will need to review and approve them prior to me starting the examination.Q: How long will the process take?
A: Most examinations take 1–3 weeks from the point I have all your documents, depending on how much back-and-forth is needed. If there's a filing deadline, let me know and I'll work to it. I aim to complete the process over two steps - an initial review of the accounts and supporting documents after which I'll raise any queries and specific requests then a subsequent review of the responses and updated accounts where applicable.Q: What information do you need for the process?
A: Typically to begin: annual accounts, general ledger or trial balance, bank statements, and supporting document workings. I'll confirm the exact list once I understand your charity's specifics.Q: Are you qualified to do this?
A: Yes. I'm a chartered accountant and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), qualified in 2018. ICAEW members are explicitly named in the Charities Act 2011 as eligible to act as independent examiners. You can verify my registration at find.icaew.com — my member number is 3308169.Q: Where are you based?
A: I work entirely remotely with documents shared via email, which keeps things efficient for both of us. I'm based in Hampshire but happy to work with charities anywhere.Q: Can you assist with day to day finance?
A: I'm afraid I don't have capacity for longer term commitments. I find I can assist multiple charities in a practical way with varying year end dates over the course of the year by performing independent examinations.Q: Which charities can you work with?
A: All charities with a gross annual income between £25,000 and £1 million are required to have an independent examination. If your charity sits anywhere in that range, get in touch and let's chat about whether it's the right fit.