Clients
Approximately 65% of our clients are charities or social enterprises, and this is where our expertise lies.
We
also work with sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.
A list of our current clients is available: download clients list. You can also find out more about the types of work we undertake and what our clients say about us by reading the case studies below:
HorseWorld is the leading UK charity caring primarily for horses, ponies and donkeys. The charity rescues,
rehabilitates and rehomes animals who have been abandoned, neglected or ill-treated. HorseWorld has a Visitor
Centre in Bristol where visitors can see the work of the charity in action. The Visitor Centre also has a gift
shop and a café.
In 2007 the charity's Chief Accountant left and it was decided that the Assistant Accountant would take over the responsibilities of this post. Many of the responsibilities were new to the Assistant Accountant, such as management accounting, budgeting, investments/treasury management and financial strategy. Godfrey Wilson were appointed to train and mentor the Assistant Accountant, to enable her to build her skill base and make the transition to her new role. Sessions were initially held once a month, but as confidence and skills were built up, frequency dropped to bi-monthly, then quarterly. We were on hand throughout the process to troubleshoot on specific issues. We also worked alongside the Finance Department to improve systems and processes, such as automating the fixed asset register and putting in place more rigorous month end timetables.
Nikki Bridges, Finance Manager at Horseworld, says “Throughout the transition I have found the assistance of Godfrey Wilson extremely beneficial. My confidence in my own abilities has grown considerably and I have gained in both knowledge and experience. I have been informed by the Trustees that they value my input, that I have become more confident and the financial reports have become clearer and easier to read as a result of the assistance I have received from Godfrey Wilson. I know that I would not have been ready to undertake these duties and the others I have encountered had it not been for Godfrey Wilson and the valuable support they have, and continue to give me.”
Unique is a charity which aims to inform, support and alleviate the isolation of anyone affected by a rare chromosome
disorder. The charity is a membership organisation with members from all over the world. It provides information and
support through publications, a comprehensive website, a 24-hour helpline and an annual conference.
Godfrey Wilson were appointed as auditors in 2005. Our core responsibilities as auditors have been to prepare the year end accounts from the charity's bookkeeping records, and to carry out a statutory audit. In addition to this we have performed grant audits for two European funded projects and have advised the charity on the process of transferring from a charitable trust to a charitable company limited by guarantee.
As part of the audit process we have worked with the charity to improve the presentation of their accounts so that they comply with the SORP. This has involved working on the format and content of the trustees' report, the format of the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) and methods of activity-based cost allocations.
Julie Griffin, Finance & Fundraising Executive Officer of Unique, says: “Our relationship with Godfrey Wilson is exactly what we want in a professional service, they are personable and accessible and have added real value to our accounts and governance processes. It is actually a pleasure to be audited.”
Travelling Light Theatre Company is a professional theatre touring company who perform their work at schools, theatres, community
venues and festivals in Britain, Europe and beyond. Their performance style is highly physical, visual and musical and their work
explores themes and issues of special interest and relevance to young people. Travelling Light Theatre Company is a registered charity.
Godfrey Wilson were appointed as consultants to help improve financial reporting and budget monitoring. We have worked alongside the General Manager to allocate budget responsibilities to key managers, set up regular budget monitoring reports and train managers to interpret financial information. We have also been commissioned to review and improve the configuration of the computerised accounting system (QuickBooks) and revise the format of management accounts so that information is presented in a meaningful and user- friendly format.
We also provide ad hoc advice and support. Recently this has involved assisting with the recruitment of a Finance Officer, reviewing the company's financial procedures, and attending the charity's Finance Sub-Committee meetings.
Cath Greig, General Manager of Travelling Light says “The company's accessible approach has helped to demystify the financial process giving the staff and Board more knowledge and confidence. It's refreshing to work with a company that is open, down-to-earth and committed to empowering the people they work with.”
The League of Adventurists International Limited is an award-winning adventure generating travel company who have raised over £1 million
for charity. Adventures include the Mongol Rally, the Mototaxi Junket, the Rickshaw Run, and the Africa Rally. Each team entering an adventure
pays a fee to the Adventurists for organising the event and pledges to raise an amount for charity.
The company's finance system had been unsuccessfully outsourced to three different accountancy firms in three years. Godfrey Wilson were appointed to co-ordinate and oversee the process of bringing the finance function in-house. This included training an individual with no finance experience to run the day-to-day bookkeeping and prepare monthly management accounts, design and install a new accounting system capable of uploading data from the company website and reporting on an event-by-event basis, overseeing the introduction of financial procedures and offering ad hoc financial advice to the board.
Following successful implementation of the in-house finance function, Godfrey Wilson have now been appointed to operate the company's payroll, prepare the company's year end accounts and provide ongoing strategic advice to the board.
Jenny Hunter, Director of The League of Adventurists International Limited says “Having struggled for a long time to find an accountancy firm which could provide our company with the financial support it needs, it has been an absolute delight to have worked with Godfrey Wilson. Their work has revolutionised the way we are approaching our finance and we have the clearest picture we have ever had of where our business stands now and where it needs to go to perform better. I am confident in saying that this could not have been the case without the assistance and training that Godfrey Wilson have provided for us both in- house and externally.”