Charities can get financial guidance at a forum organised by the KM Charity Team.

Sessions on subjects like ‘10 questions you need to ask your accountant’ will be run by chartered accountants Burgess Hodgson.

The Canterbury-based firm is the headline sponsor of the KM Charity Team Forum on Friday, October 3.

It will also cover important changes to the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), which outlines accounting standards for charities.

Burgess Hodgson partner Mark Laughton said: “The not for profit sector provides a valuable role in all walks of life and in delivering services to the community, often where government are not adequately equipped.

“During our workshop we will touch on some of the new payroll rules relating to employees and volunteers to ensure charities use their limited resources wisely and do not fall foul of the new rules...” - Burgess Hodgson's Laura Caswell

“We are delighted to be a leading sponsor of the KM Charity Team Forum and aim to provide advice and tips to best promote charities and ensure that they can meet the closer scrutiny placed upon them both by funders and the Charity Commission, and how this can be achieved following the publication of the new Charity SORP.”

Accounts assistant Laura Caswell added: “During our workshop we will touch on some of the new payroll rules relating to employees and volunteers to ensure charities use their limited resources wisely and do not fall foul of the new rules.”

KM Charity Team chief executive Simon Dolby urged good causes to protect themselves by taking advantage of the financial expertise on offer.

He said: “Many people hand this important aspect of their charity over to their accountants, but it’s ultimately the trustees’ responsibility to ask their accountants the right questions.”

Other sessions at the forum include insurance for charities by Jelf Insurance, and how to apply for charitable trust and grant funding by CCWorks.

Good causes will also discover how to boost their fundraising with KM Treasure Chest prizes, as well as how to apply to become KM Charity of the Year.

The KM Charity Team Forum is being held at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel.

To book a place, click here.

To find out how to sponsor the event, contact Mr Dolby on 07989 164 752.