Understanding Bookkeeping and Taxation | AccountantsPlus

16 Feb 2026

Charities and social enterprises are facing growing challenges in financial management, with increasing regulatory scrutiny and complex tax requirements. Clear, compliant bookkeeping and tax planning are essential for maintaining public trust and supporting sustainable growth.

Martyn Nicol FCCA, Technical Tax Manager at Accountants Plus, delivered a specialist workshop at Engage Renfrewshire dedicated to the essentials of bookkeeping and taxation for charities.

Workshop highlights included:

• How to set up and manage compliant bookkeeping systems tailored for charities, including tracking restricted, designated, and unrestricted funds
• Practical guidance on choosing and configuring software platforms such as Xero, Sage, and QuickBooks.
• Efficient recordkeeping and reporting for greater accuracy and transparency.
• The latest HMRC requirements for Gift Aid, including how to maximise claims and maintain proper documentation.
• A clear overview of tax compliance for charities, covering Gift Aid, VAT, trading activities, and corporation tax.

Attendees received actionable advice and sector-specific insights, equipping charity managers, trustees, and finance teams with practical tools to meet their financial obligations.

The full presentation slides are available in PDF format to download here.

Contact AccountantsPlus for a free exploratory discussion on your charity bookkeeping or tax compliance needs.