Charity Accountant

TPF Recruitment Ltd; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Study support

Technical training

Mentoring

Diverse charity portfolio exposure

Job summary

TPF Recruitment Ltd in Leatherhead is recruiting a Charity Accountant to join their specialist Charity Services team. The role will handle accounts, bookkeeping and regulatory compliance for a portfolio of charities, foundations and trusts.

The ideal candidate will be AAT qualified or studying ACA/ACCA, with experience in charity accounting, Xero and cloud software, and a strong eye for detail. This is a full-time role with study support and clear progression within a growing practice.

Qualifications

• AAT qualified or studying ACA/ACCA; relevant practical experience considered.
• Experience in accountancy practice, finance or bookkeeping.
• Good understanding of double entry bookkeeping and accounts preparation.
• Experience using Xero and cloud accounting software.
• Good Excel and Microsoft 365 skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Confident communicator with written and verbal communication skills.
• Charity accounting experience advantageous but not essential.
• Knowledge of FRS 102 and Charity SORP beneficial.
• Experience with charity tax returns and Gift Aid advantageous.
• Genuine interest in developing specialist knowledge within the charity sector.

Responsibilities

• Preparing statutory accounts for charities and charitable companies under FRS 102 and the Charity SORP
• Assisting with accounts for charitable trusts and associated entities
• Supporting independent examinations and external audits
• Preparing management accounts and financial reports for trustees
• Managing day to day financial administration for a portfolio of charity clients
• Liaising with trustees, finance teams, professional advisers and regulators
• Assisting with Charity Commission filings and annual returns
• Preparing charity tax returns and Gift Aid claims
• Assisting with HMRC correspondence, VAT and other charity tax matters
• Maintaining accounting records using Xero and other cloud accounting software
• Bank, investment and control account reconciliations
• Bookkeeping, transaction processing and general financial administration
• Assisting with ad hoc projects and technical research
• Building strong client relationships and delivering a high standard of client service

Skills

Excel

Double-entry bookkeeping

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Education

AAT qualification or ACA/ACCA in progress

Tools

Xero

Job description

Leatherhead, United Kingdom | Posted on 20/10/2026

Sector: Accountancy Practice / Charity Services

TPF Recruitment , the leading accountancy practice recruiters in the South, are delighted to be supporting a growing and well established accountancy practice with the recruitment of a Charity Accountant to join their expanding specialist Charity Services team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced accounts or bookkeeping professional who is looking to develop a specialist career working with charities, foundations, charitable trusts and philanthropic organisations.

You will work closely with charity trustees, finance teams, investment managers and professional advisers, gaining exposure to a diverse portfolio of clients while developing specialist knowledge across charity accounting, governance and regulatory compliance.

The Role

As a Charity Accountant, you will support a varied portfolio of charity clients across accounts preparation, bookkeeping, tax compliance, financial administration and advisory work.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Preparing statutory accounts for charities and charitable companies under FRS 102 and the Charity SORP
  
• Assisting with accounts for charitable trusts and associated entities
  
• Supporting independent examinations and external audits
  
• Preparing management accounts and financial reports for trustees
  
• Managing day to day financial administration for a portfolio of charity clients
  
• Liaising with trustees, finance teams, professional advisers and regulators
  
• Assisting with Charity Commission filings and annual returns
  
• Preparing charity tax returns and Gift Aid claims
  
• Assisting with HMRC correspondence, VAT and other charity tax matters
  
• Maintaining accounting records using Xero and other cloud accounting software
  
• Bank, investment and control account reconciliations
  
• Bookkeeping, transaction processing and general financial administration
  
• Assisting with ad hoc projects and technical research
  
• Building strong client relationships and delivering a high standard of client service
  

Requirements

The Ideal Candidate

• AAT qualified or studying towards ACA/ACCA, although relevant practical experience will also be considered
  
• Previous experience within an accountancy practice, finance or bookkeeping environment
  
• Good understanding of double entry bookkeeping and accounts preparation
  
• Experience using Xero and cloud accounting software
  
• Good Excel and Microsoft 365 skills
  
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
  
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines
  
• Confident communicator with good written and verbal communication skills
  
• Previous charity accounting experience would be advantageous but is not essential
  
• Knowledge of FRS 102 and the Charity SORP would be beneficial
  
• Experience with charity tax returns and Gift Aid claims would be advantageous
  
• Genuine interest in developing specialist knowledge within the charity and not for profit sector
  

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience
  
• Full study support towards professional qualifications
  
• Ongoing technical training and mentoring
  
• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of charities, foundations and trusts
  
• Opportunity to develop specialist expertise within the charity sector
  
• Clear career development and progression opportunities
  
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
  
• Opportunity to contribute to the growth of a specialist Charity Services team
  

If you are an ambitious accounts professional looking to develop a career within a specialist area of accountancy, this could be an excellent opportunity to join a growing team and build valuable sector expertise.