Specialist charity accounting services

We deliver insight-led financial strategy & planning, management accounting, and bookkeeping & treasury support for charities and the third sector

How Third FD can help your charity

Virtual Finance Director

Providing Insight and forecasting to give you and your trustees confidence in financial decision making.
A financial strategy and plan to help secure long-term financial stability aligned with your charity’s goals..
Implement organisational policies to establish controls and compliance with the Charity Commission.
Expert guidance on managing funding applications.
Relieving the financial workload of the CEO and the exec team, enabling them to focus on core operations.

Management Accounting

Providing clear, accurate accounts with variance analysis to help you stay aligned with your budget.
Proactive oversight of budgets and forecasts, including ongoing monitoring of restricted and unrestricted funds.
Transparent and accurate reporting to meet the expectations of funders and donors.
Tailored financial reports aligned with charity regulations and fund accounting standards.

Bookkeeping & Treasury

Recording and reconciling transactions to maintain up-to-date financial records with precision and efficiency.
Managing supplier payments and sales invoices effectively to keep your cash flow under control.
Accurate expense management and VAT compliance to help avoid costly errors and ensure compliance.
Payroll management from payslips to staff payments, ensuring smooth operation and regulatory compliance.

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Digital transformation for charities

Third FD utilises best-in-class software for each stage in the charity accounting process, meaning you don’t need to worry about researching, acquiring and adopting the latest technology.

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Client testimonials

"Ben has taken a significant burden off my shoulders, freeing up my time to focus on other areas of our operations."

Rachel Roberts, CEO, Homeopathic Research Institute
"Although Ben is a consultant it feels like he is an integral part of the team. I can not recommend him highly enough."

Alice Barnard, CEO, Edge Foundation
"Ben has reviewed and updated processes within the finance department, automating ways of working to help us streamline our practices."

Liz Eagling-Vose, COO, Avaxzipen
"Having Ben come on board and shine the spotlight on our company finances has been a godsend."

Tristan Johnson, Director and Co-owner, McKenzie & Co Financial Consultants
"Ben has been a source of great help for FORT as he built our initial forecasts, helped us to make sound financial decisions and provided both short and long-term insights."

Tim Gelardi, FORT Merchanting
"I would recommend Third FD and am certainly grateful to have their support and financial insight."

Alex Monk, Chief Executive Officer, Black Bull Capital Limited
"Working with Ben has transformed the way we approach our financial decisions... I truly can't rate him highly enough."

Holly Frizzell, Managing Director, Frizzell Wealth Management

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About Third FD

Ben Dowdeswell - Virtual Finance Director

Recognising the unique financial and operational challenges faced by charities, Ben Dowdeswell (ACMA, CGMA) founded Third FD to support and empower CEOs and Trustees of small and medium-sized charities with the financial acumen and strategic guidance needed to thrive in an increasingly demanding environment.

As well as providing a full suite of expert virtual finance director services, Third FD supports charities in the regular accounting tasks, offering bespoke, accessible, and cost-effective solutions for all aspects of management accounting and bookkeeping.

From managing day-to-day financial transactions and compliance to providing high-level strategic insight and board-level guidance, Third FD plays a crucial role in helping charities stay on track, secure funding, and navigate complex financial landscapes effectively.