Sectors
Charities
Supporting Trustees and Executives with expert audit, accounting, and strategic guidance.
Specialist financial advice for Charities & Not-for-Profit Organisations
Running a charity or not-for-profit organisation today requires a delicate balance. You are focused on delivering public benefit and supporting your beneficiaries, yet you must also navigate an increasingly complex landscape of Charity Commission regulations, financial compliance, and economic uncertainty.
At Armstrong Watson, we understand that being a trustee or executive is a position of significant responsibility. You need more than just a set of accounts; you need a partner who understands the nuances of the Charity SORP, the intricacies of VAT and Gift Aid, and the critical importance of protecting your organisation’s reputation.
Our specialist charity team acts for a wide range of not-for-profit clients, from grant-making trusts to large service-delivery charities. Whether you are looking for a robust audit, advice on financial sustainability, or support with payroll and tax, we provide the clear, jargon-free advice you need to fulfil your stewardship duties with confidence.
Get in touch
Get in touch to speak to one of our specialist advisers and explore how we can help you.
Find your local office
Visit your local office. To find your nearest office just enter your town or city below.
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’.
What our clients say
We're committed to delivering the best client experience. Hear from those who have worked with us and discover how we've helped them achieve their goals.
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
It is now the appropriate time to express my sincere thanks on behalf of myself, Sarah and the directors for the excellence of the service, advice and guidance that Armstrong Watson have patiently and professionally provided throughout a prolonged and difficult period. The company has achieved the outcome it set out to do with your invaluable help.
From the moment when the decision was made to seek insolvency advice and appoint Armstrong Watson yourself and Ann have calmly and methodically helped us understand what the realistic options were and how to set about progressing them. This was a complex transaction for a number of reasons and needed patience and understanding from everyone involved but it also needed the constructive challenge that you provided to ensure that realistic decisions were made as we encountered a series of obstacles and delays because of the complexities we encountered and had to deal with.
In the pre-appointment period the role of the insolvency advisor changes as the process goes through different phases along the journey into administration. It is imperative that your advisors explain this very clearly, the need for this and provide unambiguous guidance on what is required from yourself and colleagues to hit a tight timetable with little room for error. Although it was a very intense and demanding period I cannot underestimate the importance of your key advisers striking the right balance of calm, clarity, and urgency – you and Ann provided this throughout the entire process.
My sincere thanks and regards.
Clive Memmott
Chief Executive, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
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.
Craig McEwen
Chief Operating Officer, The Usual Place
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 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 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
Meet the team
Case studies
Client story
Coventry City of Culture Trust administration
Coventry’s year as the UK City of Culture was run by Coventry City of Culture Trust, a registered charity and company limited by guarantee.
Client story