Charity Accountants | ATS Accountants
Experienced Charity Accountants with Specialist Expertise
Case Study – Independent Faith School (Registered Charity)
Experienced Charity Accountants with Specialist Expertise
Our charity work is led by Director Shahed Alam FCPFA, who brings:
✅ Charity-specific qualification with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
✅ Experience auditing large charities within Big 4 accounting firms
✅ 17+ years of post-qualification experience
✅ Responsibility for signing Independent Examiner’s Reports
✅ First-hand experience as a charity Trustee, giving him a practical understanding of trustee responsibilities, governance and decision-making
Shahed’s combined experience as both an advisor and trustee means he understands not just the technical requirements, but also the real-world challenges faced by charity boards.
He is supported by a highly experienced team, including ACCA-qualified accountants, team members with extensive experience preparing charity accounts, professionals who understand the day-to-day operational and reporting challenges faced by charities
This ensures your charity benefits from technically strong, practical, and trustee-focused advice.
How We Support Charities
Case Study – Independent Faith School (Registered Charity)
Experienced Charity Accountants with Specialist Expertise
Charities and not-for-profit organisations face unique financial and regulatory obligations. We provide tailored support across all key areas:
Charity Accounts and Financial Reporting: Preparation of compliant charity accounts that provide clarity for trustees, funders and stakeholders.
Independent Examination:
We carry out independent examinations where required, helping provide assurance that your charity’s accounts are properly maintained, compliant and transparent.
Tax, VAT & Gift Aid Advice:
Clear, practical advice on:
- Gift Aid
- VAT treatment
- Tax compliance
Management Accounts & Trustee Reporting:
Timely, clear financial reporting that helps trustees make informed decisions.
Outsourced Finance Team Support:
We can act as your outsourced finance team, supporting your charity with experienced professionals without the cost of an in-house finance function.
Read more about the services we offer here - Accountancy Services Greater Manchester | ATS Accountants
Case Study – Independent Faith School (Registered Charity)
Case Study – Independent Faith School (Registered Charity)
Supporting charities across Oldham, Rochdale, Greater Manchester and St Helens
We support an independent faith school, structured as a registered charity, by providing full outsourced finance team support.
Our work includes:
- Day-to-day financial management
- Preparation of accounts and reporting
- Supporting leadership and trustees with financial insight
- Managing processes such as credit control and cash flow monitoring
Through our involvement, the organisation has:
- Improved financial control and oversight
- Strengthened governance and reporting
- Gained better visibility over income and costs
- Freed up leadership time to focus on educational and community objectives
This is a clear example of how we go beyond compliance, acting as a proactive finance partner.
Supporting charities across Oldham, Rochdale, Greater Manchester and St Helens
Supporting charities across Oldham, Rochdale, Greater Manchester and St Helens
Supporting charities across Oldham, Rochdale, Greater Manchester and St Helens
At ATS Accountants, we provide specialist charity accounting services to organisations across Oldham, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, St Helens, and beyond - helping trustees and management teams stay compliant, financially confident, and focused on delivering impact.
Our charity client base is strongest in Oldham, where we have built long-standing relationships with local charities and community organisations. We also act for charity clients across St Helens, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, and further afield including London, giving us both strong local insight and broader sector experience.
We also work with local charities and schools to help our communities.
Supporting Trustees and Strengthening Governance
Supporting charities across Oldham, Rochdale, Greater Manchester and St Helens
Supporting Trustees and Strengthening Governance
Strong financial oversight is essential for maintaining public trust in charities.
We work closely with trustees to:
- Improve financial clarity and transparency
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
- Strengthen internal controls and governance
- Provide clear, practical advice in plain English
Our experience, combined with direct trustee insight, means we are well placed to support boards in making confident, informed decisions.
A Practical, Advisory-Led Approach
Supporting charities across Oldham, Rochdale, Greater Manchester and St Helens
Supporting Trustees and Strengthening Governance
Many charities come to us because:
- Financial reporting feels reactive rather than strategic
- Trustee information is unclear or delayed
- Growth is creating complexity
- Compliance obligations are becoming harder to manage
Our approach is simple:
- Provide proactive advice
- Improve financial understanding
- Support long-term sustainability and growth
A Trusted Partner for Charities
Get Support from Specialist Charity Accountants
Get Support from Specialist Charity Accountants
We support a wide range of organisations, including:
- Local community charities
- Independent schools
- Faith-based organisations
- Social enterprises and CICs
Many of our relationships are long-term, reflecting the trust placed in us by organisations that value reliability, clarity and ongoing support.
Get Support from Specialist Charity Accountants
Get Support from Specialist Charity Accountants
Get Support from Specialist Charity Accountants
If you are looking for charity accountants in Oldham, Rochdale, Greater Manchester or St Helens, we would be happy to support your organisation.
Contact ATS Accountants today to arrange an initial conversation and find out how we can help your charity stay compliant, operate efficiently and plan for the future.
Charity Accountants – Frequently Asked Questions
What does a charity accountant do?
What is an independent examination for a charity?
What does a charity accountant do?
A charity accountant provides specialist financial support to charities and not-for-profit organisations, ensuring compliance with charity regulations, preparing accounts, advising trustees, and supporting financial decision-making.
Unlike standard accountants, charity accountants understand the specific requirements of the sector, including governance, reporting standards, and the need for transparency to trustees, funders and stakeholders.
Do charities need an accountant?
What is an independent examination for a charity?
What does a charity accountant do?
Yes, most charities benefit from working with an experienced charity accountant.
An accountant can help ensure:
- Accounts are prepared correctly
- Regulatory requirements are met
- Trustees receive clear financial information
- Risks are identified and managed early
For growing charities or those with more complex operations, having an experienced advisor is particularly important.
What is an independent examination for a charity?
What is an independent examination for a charity?
When does a charity need an independent examination?
An independent examination is a form of external scrutiny of a charity’s accounts.
It involves an independent professional reviewing the financial records to ensure:
- Proper accounting records have been kept
- Accounts are consistent with those records
- Relevant rules and regulations have been followed
Many charities in the UK are required to have either an audit or an independent examination depending on their size and structure.
When does a charity need an independent examination?
What is the difference between an audit and an independent examination?
When does a charity need an independent examination?
A charity typically needs an independent examination if its annual income exceeds certain thresholds.
Even where not required, many trustees choose to have an independent examination to:
- Provide assurance to stakeholders
- Strengthen governance
- Build trust with funders and donors
What is the difference between an audit and an independent examination?
What is the difference between an audit and an independent examination?
What is the difference between an audit and an independent examination?
The key difference is the level of scrutiny:
- Audit → more detailed and formal, with an opinion on whether the accounts are “true and fair”
- Independent examination → less intensive, focused on checking consistency and compliance
Independent examinations are often more cost-effective for smaller charities while still providing reassurance.
Can ATS Accountants act as independent examiners?
What is the difference between an audit and an independent examination?
What is the difference between an audit and an independent examination?
Yes. At ATS Accountants, our team is experienced in carrying out independent examinations for charities.
Our Director, Shahed Alam FCPFA, has extensive experience in charity accounting and auditing, and is responsible for signing independent examiner reports, providing charities with reliable and compliant external scrutiny.
Do you work with charities outside Oldham?
Can you provide a full finance team for a charity?
Can you provide a full finance team for a charity?
Yes.
While many of our charity clients are based in Oldham, we also work with charities across:
- St Helens and Rainford
- Liverpool
- Rochdale and Greater Manchester
- London and other parts of the UK
We combine strong local knowledge with wider sector experience.
Can you provide a full finance team for a charity?
Can you provide a full finance team for a charity?
Can you provide a full finance team for a charity?
Yes, we provide outsourced finance team support for charities.
This can include:
- Bookkeeping and financial management
- Preparation of accounts and reports
- Credit control and cash flow monitoring
- Support for trustees and leadership teams
This allows charities to access experienced financial support without the cost of employing an in-house team.
How can you help trustees of a charity?
Can you provide a full finance team for a charity?
How can you help trustees of a charity?
We work closely with trustees to ensure they have:
- Clear and understandable financial reports
- Confidence in compliance and governance
- Support with decision-making
- Practical advice tailored to their organisation
As our Director is also an experienced trustee, we understand the responsibilities and pressures trustees face.
Do you offer advice beyond compliance?
How do I choose the right charity accountant?
How can you help trustees of a charity?
Yes.
We take an advisory-led approach, meaning we go beyond compliance to help charities:
- Improve financial efficiency
- Plan for future growth
- Strengthen sustainability
- Make informed strategic decisions
How do I choose the right charity accountant?
How do I choose the right charity accountant?
How do I choose the right charity accountant?
You should look for:
- Qualified accountant
- Experience working with charities
- Understanding of charity regulations
- Ability to communicate clearly with trustees
- A proactive, advisory approach
A good charity accountant should not only ensure compliance, but also help your organisation operate more effectively.
How do I get started with ATS Accountants?
How do I choose the right charity accountant?
How do I choose the right charity accountant?
Getting started is straightforward.
Simply contact ATS Accountants to arrange an initial conversation, where we can:
- Understand your charity’s needs
- Identify how we can support you
- Provide clear, practical next steps
ATS Accountants Ltd
Globe House, Moss Bridge Road, Rochdale OL16 5EB, UK