Accountants for Small Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)

A Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is a legal structure specifically designed for charities in England and Wales. It is registered solely with the Charity Commission and does not need to register with Companies House, making administration simpler than a charitable company.

CIOs provide limited liability protection for trustees while offering a simpler regulatory structure than charitable companies.

No, CIOs are registered only with the Charity Commission and do not file accounts with Companies House. This is one of the key advantages of the CIO structure - you only deal with one regulator instead of two.

CIOs must file annual reports and accounts with the Charity Commission, including the Trustees' Annual Report and financial statements.

CIOs must prepare their accounts in accordance with:

• FRS 102 - The UK accounting standard
• Charity SORP - Statement of Recommended Practice for charities
• Charity Commission guidance - Reporting requirements

Our accountants are experts in FRS 102 and Charity SORP, ensuring your CIO accounts meet all regulatory requirements.

CIOs can benefit from tax exemptions available to charities, though they must still complete a Self Assessment tax return if they receive income not covered by charitable exemptions.

Tax benefits may include:

• Corporation Tax relief on charitable expenditure
• Variable rate relief on trading income
• Exemption from capital gains tax on charitable disposals
• Business rates relief (subject to conditions)

Not necessarily. CIOs may qualify for an independent examination instead of a full audit if they meet certain criteria:

• Income under £1 million (for examination)
• Income under £250,000 (if charity is small)
• Under certain thresholds for gross assets

We provide independent examination services as a cost-effective alternative to audit for eligible CIOs.

We offer fixed-fee pricing for CIO accounting services with no hidden costs. The exact fee depends on your CIO's size, income, complexity, and the services you require.

Our packages typically include annual accounts, Charity Commission filing support, and ongoing accountancy advice. Book a free consultation to receive a tailored quote.