TaxCalc Blog

Top 10 charity accounting mistakes – and how to avoid them

Charity accounting is complex. Many charities - particularly smaller ones - still get the basics wrong.

Between evolving regulations, unique governance structures and the quirks of SORP, even experienced accountancy professionals can stumble.

At TaxCalc, we’ve reviewed hundreds of charity accounts and seen the same mistakes crop up time and again.

Many of these issues stem from charities preparing accounts manually in Word or Excel, where errors are easy to make and hard to catch. Here’s a rundown of the most common pitfalls - and how you can avoid them.

Engager and TaxCalc: integration, updates and roadmap revealed

Earlier this year, TaxCalc and Engager announced an exciting new partnership that will bring the two popular accountancy solutions together, making them even more powerful and efficient for customers.

Since TaxCalc’s significant investment in Engager, the teams have been working hard on building a deep integration between the two solutions.

Andy Wainwright, founder of Engager, the highly regarded cloud-based Practice Management software has long been a dedicated user and vocal supporter of TaxCalc, crediting it as a key contributor to the success of his own accountancy firm.

This month, we sat down with Andy to discuss the latest developments, plans, and how the integration is shaping up.

Big changes at Companies House as mandatory ID checks loom

Stay ahead of significant compliance changes with Companies House’s new identity verification (IDV) regime, set to take effect from 18th November 2025.

From this date, all new and existing company directors, LLP members, and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) must complete mandatory ID checks—redefining onboarding and ongoing compliance requirements. Whether you’re an accountant, ACSP, or company administrator, understanding your new responsibilities is critical: registration, record keeping, and helping clients navigate this new process will become essential parts of your workflow.

Discover what’s required, the methods available for ID verification, and how to prepare your practice to meet government standards. Plus, find out how TaxCalc can help you embrace these changes, streamline verification and maintain your compliance edge. 

Ellis Atkins joins the TaxCalc family

We’re delighted to welcome Ellis Atkins Chartered Accountants based in Dorking, Surrey, to the TaxCalc family. The firm joined in February 2025, after switching from IRIS. 

Founded in 1977, Ellis Atkins has a proud heritage. While the original namesake partners have long since retired, the strong foundation they built lives on. Thanks to a dedicated and long-standing team, the firm remains well regarded in the Dorking community, known for its long-established client relationships and a reputation built largely on word-of-mouth recommendations. 

MTD for Income Tax: Solving the capacity puzzle before it breaks your firm.

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is not just another compliance change, it's a fundamental operational shift for accountancy firms. Once in force, every sole trader and landlord within scope will be required to submit quarterly updates to HMRC, all to the same deadline: 5 August, 5 November, 5 February, and 5 May. 

If you have 300 clients within MTD’s remit, you’re suddenly dealing with at least 1,200 additional tax submissions a year – plus year-end finalisations – and that’s excluding any individuals that may have to report separately for both their trade and property income. But the real pressure comes not just from volume, it’s the clustering of that work around those fixed deadlines and the inevitable deluge of client queries that will come with onboarding, training and keeping everyone compliant. 

Paul Evans joins TaxCalc as our new CEO

We are excited to announce that Paul Evans has joined TaxCalc as our new Chief Executive Officer. Paul’s arrival signals a pivotal moment as we continue to build on our reputation for delivering trusted, innovative solutions to accountants and tax professionals across the UK.

Private equity in accountancy: what does it mean for owners, partners, staff, and clients?

There’s been an explosion in Private Equity (PE) firms investing in accountancy practices over the last two years. 

And interest appears to remain high, judging by reports in the media, and industry research.  

According to a paper by Accountancy Europe, PE activity in the accountancy sector across Europe surged from 10 to 20 deals a year pre-2022 to about 200 in 2024. And the country leading the way? the UK – with 40% of the deals within that total being British firms. 

Indeed, a recent TaxCalc survey suggested 62% of firms had been approached by PE investors. 

July payments panic: how to help clients and avoid complaints

Has a client ever complained that you didn’t remind them about their July payment to HMRC?

While most clients are well aware of the January Self Assessment deadline, the second payment on account due by 31st July can sometimes slip under the radar - especially with summer holidays, school breaks, and general distractions. The result? Missed payments, HMRC fines, and interest charges.