--- title: "Accountants for Charities in Cardiff | Luminaire Accounts" description: "Accounting for charities and not-for-profits in Cardiff. Year-end accounts, Gift Aid, payroll, VAT and Charity Commission returns, explained clearly." canonical: "https://hlsaccounting.co.uk/services/accountants-for-charities-and-not-for-profit" --- Specialist Sector Pages # Accountants for Charities & Not-for-Profit We help charities and not-for-profit organisations across Cardiff and South Wales stay compliant, manage their funds properly, and focus on the work that matters. From grant accounting and restricted funds to trustee reports and statutory filings, we understand what makes your accounts different. [Book a free consultation](https://calendly.com/hlsaccounting/new-client-meeting) 10 Years supporting local charities 30+ Nonprofit clients 100% Compliance record ![Four people—two accountants and two charity staff—collaborate at a meeting table reviewing financial documents and a laptop in a clean charity office meeting room, with a small donation box and minimal decor.](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fcharity_accounting_meeting_realistic_studio_photo.png%3Fv%3D1773063951385&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_DEc4fGhEc1SCRZZutzoEsRuDy1CJ) ## Everything under charity accounting We cover all the specialist services charities and not-for-profits need to stay on top of their finances and meet their regulatory obligations. ### Fund Accounting & Restricted Funds Proper tracking and reporting of restricted, unrestricted, and designated funds to meet charity accounting standards. ### Grant Management & Reporting Managing grant income, expenditure tracking, and funder reporting to keep you accountable and audit-ready. ### Trustee Reports & Statutory Accounts Annual accounts prepared to Charities SORP standards, including trustees' annual reports for the Charity Commission. ## How we support charities and not-for-profits Charity accounting is a world apart from standard business bookkeeping. You're managing restricted funds, reporting to trustees and funders, and meeting Charity Commission requirements on top of your day-to-day finances. We work with charities, community groups, social enterprises, and other not-for-profit organisations across Cardiff and South Wales to keep your accounts clear, compliant, and useful. Our approach starts with understanding your mission and how your funding works. We'll set up your bookkeeping to track restricted and unrestricted income separately, manage grant reporting requirements, and prepare your statutory accounts to Charities SORP standards. Everything is explained in plain English, so your trustees can make informed decisions without wading through jargon. > We make sure your numbers tell the story your funders and supporters need to hear. More information Many charities come to us feeling overwhelmed by the compliance side of things. The annual return, trustees' report, independent examination or audit, gift aid claims, employer duties if you have staff. It's a lot to stay on top of when you're trying to deliver services and secure the next round of funding. We take that weight off your shoulders, keeping you ahead of deadlines and flagging anything that needs trustee attention well in advance. If you're applying for grants or contracts, we can help with budgets, cash flow forecasts, and financial narratives that demonstrate sustainability and proper governance. We've worked with organisations at every stage, from newly registered charities finding their feet to established groups managing multiple funding streams and employed staff. ### What's included - Bookkeeping tailored to fund accounting requirements - Restricted and unrestricted fund tracking - Grant income and expenditure reporting - Preparation of statutory accounts under Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Trustees' annual report drafting support - Charity Commission annual return assistance - Gift Aid claims and HMRC compliance - Payroll services for charity employees and pension auto-enrolment - Independent examination liaison or audit preparation - Budgeting, forecasting, and funder reporting We're based in Cardiff and work with charities right across South Wales, from small community groups in the Valleys to larger organisations operating region-wide. Whether you're volunteer-led or have a team of staff, we'll match our service to your size and budget. If you're ready to get your charity finances on a solid footing or just want to talk through what support would be most helpful, get in touch. We'll have a no-obligation chat about where you are now and how we can help you get where you need to be. ### Ready to talk? Book a free consultation and we'll discuss how we can support your charity's financial needs. [Book a free consultation](https://calendly.com/hlsaccounting/new-client-meeting) ### Worth considering - [Accountants for Vets](/services/accountants-for-vets)→ - [Accountants for Clinics](/services/accountants-for-clinics)→ - [Accountants for Beauty Salons](/services/accountants-for-beauty-salons)→ ## From the blog [ ![](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2FChatGPT%2520Image%2520Mar%252011%252C%25202026%252C%252002_00_13%2520PM.png%3Fv%3D1773237624762&w=1536&q=75&dpl=dpl_DEc4fGhEc1SCRZZutzoEsRuDy1CJ) ### What triggers an HMRC VAT investigation and how to reduce your risk Worried about an HMRC VAT investigation? Find out what triggers one, how far back HMRC can go, and the practical steps you can take to reduce your risk. ](/blog/what-triggers-hmrc-vat-investigation) ## You might also need Specialist Sector Pages ### Accountants for Hair Salons Accounting for hair salons across Cardiff and South Wales: tidy bookkeeping, VAT and payroll support, plus year-end accounts and clear tax advice that fits salon life. [Accountants for Hair Salons→](/services/accountants-for-hair-salons) Specialist Sector Pages ### Accountants for E-commerce Businesses Accounting support built for online sellers: accurate bookkeeping, clean VAT records, reconciled payouts and clear monthly figures for Shopify, Amazon and Etsy businesses. [Accountants for E-commerce Businesses→](/services/accountants-for-e-commerce-businesses) Specialist Sector Pages ### Accountants for Retailers Retail accounting support for shops: bookkeeping, VAT and payroll kept tidy, clearer margins and cash flow, plus year-end accounts and tax returns done on time. [Accountants for Retailers→](/services/accountants-for-retailers) Specialist Sector Pages ### Accountants for Restaurants & Hospitality Accounting support for restaurants, cafés and bars: bookkeeping, VAT and payroll, plus management reports that show margins, cash flow and what to fix each month. [Accountants for Restaurants & Hospitality→](/services/accountants-for-restaurants-and-hospitality) Specialist Sector Pages ### Accountants for Tradespeople Accounting support for tradespeople, including CIS, VAT, bookkeeping and tax returns. Know your profits, stay compliant, and keep HMRC deadlines under control. [Accountants for Tradespeople→](/services/accountants-for-tradespeople) Specialist Sector Pages ### Accountants for Dentists Dental accounting support for Cardiff dentists, from associates to practice owners. Stay compliant with VAT, payroll and tax, and keep clear, reliable figures. [Accountants for Dentists→](/services/accountants-for-dentists) ## Before you get in touch Here are the questions charities and not-for-profits ask us most often. Do you work with small charities and community groups? Yes. We support charities of all sizes, from small volunteer-led groups with income under £25,000 to larger organisations with multiple staff and funding streams. Our services scale to your needs and budget. What's the difference between charity accounting and normal business accounting? Charities follow different accounting standards (Charities SORP) and must track restricted and unrestricted funds separately, report to the Charity Commission, and often provide detailed breakdowns for funders. We handle all of that for you. Can you help with grant applications and funder reporting? Absolutely. We can prepare budgets, cash flow forecasts, and financial statements to support funding bids, and provide ongoing expenditure reports to meet your funders' requirements. Do our accounts need an independent examination or an audit? It depends on your income and what your governing document says. Charities with income over £25,000 generally need an independent examination, and those over £1 million require a full audit. We'll advise on what applies to you and help you arrange it. How much do your charity accounting services cost? Fees depend on your income, the complexity of your funding, and how much support you need. We'll give you a clear fixed-price quote after an initial conversation about your organisation. Can you take over from our current bookkeeper or accountant? Yes. We'll work with you to transition smoothly, reviewing your existing records and making sure everything is set up correctly going forward. Do you understand Gift Aid and can you help us claim it? Yes. We can manage your Gift Aid records, prepare claims, and submit them to HMRC on your behalf, making sure you're getting every penny you're entitled to. Are you based in Cardiff? Yes, we're based in Cardiff and work with charities across South Wales. We're happy to meet in person locally or work remotely with organisations further afield. ## Let's talk about your charity's finances Book a free consultation and we'll discuss your current setup, compliance needs, and how we can help you stay on track. [Book a free consultation](https://calendly.com/hlsaccounting/new-client-meeting)