Accountants for Charities and Non-Profits.
Charity registration, annual accounts, independent examination and Gift Aid, all in one place.
Charities are held to a higher standard, and rightly so. Trustees, funders and the Charity Commission all expect clear, accurate accounts. WPC Accountants helps you set up and register your charity, keep proper records, meet your reporting duties and claim back Gift Aid, so you can spend less time on paperwork and more on your cause. Whether you are a new community group or an established charity, we make compliance simple.
For charities and non-profits of every size
Registered charities and CIOs
Charitable incorporated organisations and registered charities of all sizes.
Charitable companies
Companies limited by guarantee that are also registered charities.
Community groups and clubs
Associations, sports clubs, residents' groups and unincorporated bodies.
Faith organisations
Mosques, churches, temples, gurdwaras and other places of worship.
Foundations and trusts
Grant-making foundations, charitable trusts and endowment funds.
CICs and social enterprises
Community interest companies and mission-led businesses doing social good.
Which charity structure is right for you?
The structure you choose affects your liability and how you register. We help you pick the right one.
| Structure | What it is | Registers with |
|---|---|---|
| Charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) | A charity with its own legal identity and limited liability, without the extra company filing. | Charity Commission only (at any income level). |
| Charitable company | A company limited by guarantee that is also a charity. Good for larger or trading charities. | Companies House and the Charity Commission. |
| Unincorporated association | A simple structure for smaller groups, run by a committee, with no separate legal identity. | Charity Commission if income is over £5,000. |
| Charitable trust | Run by trustees to manage money or assets for a charitable purpose, often for grant-making. | Charity Commission if income is over £5,000. |
Registering your charity
In England and Wales, you must register with the Charity Commission once your charity's income is over £5,000, and a CIO must register at any income. We handle the whole process: choosing your structure, drafting your charitable purposes and governing document, appointing trustees and completing the application. We also register you with HMRC so you can claim tax reliefs and Gift Aid. Charities in Scotland register with OSCR and in Northern Ireland with the CCNI. We can advise wherever you are based.
Our charity services
Charity registration
We set up your structure and register you with the Charity Commission and HMRC.
Annual accounts (charity SORP)
Receipts and payments or accruals accounts, prepared to the charity SORP standard.
Independent examination liaison
We prepare accounts ready for examination or audit and work with your examiner.
Gift Aid and HMRC claims
We set up Gift Aid and claim back 25p for every £1 your donors give.
Bookkeeping and fund tracking
Clear records that keep restricted and unrestricted funds separate.
Charity payroll
Compliant payroll for your staff, including pensions and RTI.
What your charity must report
How much scrutiny your accounts need depends on your income. The bands below apply in England and Wales. We make sure you meet the right level.
| Annual income | What is required |
|---|---|
| Under £5,000 | Usually no need to register (unless a CIO). Keep proper records. |
| £5,000 to £25,000 | Register with the Charity Commission and file an annual return. Accounts prepared but no external examination required. |
| £25,000 to £250,000 | Annual return, trustees' annual report, accounts and an independent examination. |
| £250,000 to £1 million | As above, but the independent examiner must be suitably qualified, and accruals accounts are required. |
| Over £1 million | A full audit is required (also if gross assets are over £3.26 million and income is over £250,000). |
Claim back 25% with Gift Aid
Free money for your cause
With Gift Aid, your charity can claim back 25p from HMRC for every £1 an eligible donor gives, at no cost to the donor.
- Small Donations Scheme: also claim back tax on cash and contactless gifts of £30 or less without a declaration.
- Many charities miss out because the setup and record-keeping put them off. We handle it, from registering with HMRC to making the claims.
Key charity deadlines
| Duty | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Annual return and accounts to the Charity Commission | Within 10 months of your financial year-end |
| Charitable company accounts to Companies House | Usually within 9 months of the year-end |
| Gift Aid claims to HMRC | Any time, usually within the claim time limits; we file regularly |
Why charities choose WPC Accountants
- We know charity rules, from the SORP to independent examination and Gift Aid
- We set you up correctly and keep you compliant year after year
- Clear reporting that trustees and funders can trust
- Approachable, plain-English support all year round
- Fixed fees agreed upfront, sensitive to charity budgets
Simple, fixed pricing
We offer clear, fixed fees designed with charity budgets in mind, whether you need a one-off registration or ongoing support. Book a free consultation for a quote.
Book a free consultationNo obligation · Charity-sensitive pricing · Fixed fees
Frequently asked questions
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Get in touch
Ready to register your charity or sort your accounts? Contact our team and we will get back to you quickly.
Contact Details
Address
3rd Floor, 112-116 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1JE
Phone
+44 7380 992174Office hours
Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 6:30 pm