Forecasts and business plans for charities and CICs, at half my standard fee
A cash-flow forecast, budget or business plan that a funder, council or bank will read to the end. Prepared by an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Fixed fee in writing, first draft in five working days.
The things that decide whether a bid is believed
- A budget that adds up. Costs that match the activities you describe, including your share of overheads, not just the project's direct costs.
- Cash flow, not just a total. When grant money arrives against when you spend it, and whether you can bridge the gap.
- Reserves. What you hold, what your policy says, and what the forecast shows at its lowest point.
- Restricted and unrestricted funds shown separately where they matter.
- What happens when the grant ends. Funders ask about sustainability, and a plain answer in numbers is better than a hopeful paragraph.
One set of numbers, used everywhere
- The document. A clear PDF forecast or plan you can attach to a bid, send to a bank or take to your trustees.
- The Excel workbook behind it, handed over once the invoice is paid, so you can update it yourself next year.
- The funder's template completed, if they give you one, from the same model.
- Two rounds of changes, and assumptions marked clearly so your trustees can see what to confirm.
Half my standard fee, all year round
Every pound spent on paperwork is a pound not spent on the cause, so registered charities and community interest companies pay half my standard fee. Fixed in writing before any work starts. No VAT. Nothing up front: I invoice when the final version is ready, payable within 7 days, and send the final files and the Excel workbook once it's paid.
- £325Cash-flow forecast
- £475Business plan
- £750Feasibility study
What takes a fee above the price shown: more than one revenue stream or trading company, a forecast longer than three years, or research beyond desk research. I will tell you before quoting. Not combined with other offers.
Four steps
Tell me what it is for
A free 10-minute call, or the brief by email if you prefer. Grant bid, bank facility, social investment or a new project.
Fixed quote
In writing, with your charity or company number checked. No surprises later.
First draft
PDF to you, assumptions marked. You know the organisation; your comments are welcome.
Two rounds of changes
Then the final PDF and Excel workbook, once the invoice is paid.
For charities and CICs
Who gets the charity rate?
Charities registered with the Charity Commission, OSCR or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (including CIOs), and community interest companies (CICs). Give me your charity or company number when you ask for a quote. Other social enterprises pay my standard fee.
Will you use the funder's own template?
Yes. If a funder, council or bank gives you a budget or cash-flow template, I complete it from the same model, so the numbers in your application and your plan agree.
Do you do charity accounts or independent examination?
No. I only prepare forecasts, business plans and feasibility studies. I do not do accounts, tax, bookkeeping, payroll, audit or independent examination, and I won't pitch them to you.
Can you build restricted and unrestricted funds into the forecast?
Yes. Where it matters I show restricted and unrestricted income separately, when grant money arrives against when you spend it, and what your reserves look like at the low point of the year.
How much of the work do I have to do?
You fill in a short brief (ten essential questions, then optional detail) or we talk it through on a free 10-minute call. Where there are last accounts or a draft budget, I work from them. Numbers can be rough; I flag anything I have assumed so you can confirm it.
How long does it take?
First draft in five working days from the brief, then two rounds of changes. If a funder's deadline is tight, tell me when you ask for a quote.
More questions, including confidentiality and timing, in the main FAQ.