Business Details
40 Years
experience
Chartered Accountants in Guildford
Established in 1986, A J Bennewith is a Chartered Accountancy firm based in Guildford, Surrey, offering tailored financial solutions for individuals and businesses of all sizes. Our expertise spans accounting, auditing, and tax compliance, with a particular specialism in charity and charitable company services. As registered auditors, we prioritise regulatory compliance and deadline adherence, alleviating client administrative burdens. Our team combines decades of industry experience with a commitment to personal service, exemplified by founder Tony Bennewith's 15-year tenure at Neville Russell before establishing our practice.We demonstrate expertise through specialist knowledge in charity regulations, IR35 compliance, and trust tax matters, while maintaining authoritativeness via professional memberships including the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Our trustworthiness is evidenced by long-standing client relationships and transparent data protection practices under GDPR compliance. With a focus on continuous improvement, we adapt to evolving regulatory landscapes while maintaining our founding principle of delivering reliable, client-centric financial expertise.
Services
Audit Services
Tax Planning
Charity Accounts
Payroll Processing
Company Formation
VAT Returns
Trust Accounting
IR35 Compliance
Estate Administration
Compliance Consultancy
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- Chartered accountants with 35+ years' local expertise since 1986
- Specialist charity accounting and SORP-compliant reporting
- Registered auditors with regulatory compliance expertise
- Team holds advanced professional qualifications including FCA and ACA
- Dedicated data protection manager under GDPR compliance
Associations and certifications
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
Services
Audit Services
Our registered audit practice provides independent examinations and statutory audits for charities and companies. We ensure compliance with FRC standards and charity regulations through detailed financial scrutiny. Our auditors combine technical expertise with sector-specific knowledge to deliver actionable insights that enhance organisational governance and financial transparency.
Charity Accounting
Specialist accounting for charitable organisations including SORP-compliant reporting and independent examinations. We handle complex charity regulations, Gift Aid claims, and grant compliance requirements. Our team provides tailored financial solutions that address sector-specific challenges while maintaining adherence to Charity Commission guidelines.
Tax Planning
Comprehensive tax planning services covering income tax, corporation tax, and inheritance tax strategies. We help clients optimise tax positions through legitimate planning opportunities while ensuring compliance with HMRC regulations. Our approach balances fiscal efficiency with risk management for individuals and businesses.
Company Formation
Full company formation services including Companies House registration and HMRC notifications. We guide clients through entity selection, share structure decisions, and regulatory requirements. Our support extends to ongoing compliance matters such as annual returns and corporate governance frameworks.
Payroll Services
End-to-end payroll management including PAYE administration and Real Time Information submissions. We handle salary calculations, tax deductions, and pension auto-enrolment requirements. Our services ensure compliance with evolving employment tax legislation while maintaining data security and confidentiality.
People
Tony Bennewith
Executive Director
Founder with 50+ years' accountancy experience, previously partner at Neville Russell. FCA qualified with specialist charity sector expertise. Established Bennewith 2018 Limited to continue client-focused service delivery.
Chrissie Bacon
Director
ACA qualified with dual expertise in education and accountancy. Holds STEP Affiliate status and serves on ICAEW council. Manages audit engagements and leads charity accounting services while overseeing data protection compliance.
Chris Burrows
Chartered Accountant
Joined 2005, specialising in audit and charity accounts. ACA qualified with focus on complex charity reporting and regulatory compliance. Provides technical expertise on charity mergers and restructuring projects.
Anne Mellow
Chartered Accountant
FCA qualified with extensive charity sector experience. Former charity in-house accountant brings practical insights to audit engagements. Specialises in charity-specific financial reporting requirements and compliance matters.
Chaseeka Suriyage
Accounting Technician
Advanced Diploma holder with 10+ years' bookkeeping and payroll expertise. Specialises in charity payroll processing and grant compliance reporting. Provides hands-on support for clients' day-to-day accounting needs.
Questions
What accounting services do you offer for charities?
We specialise in charity accounting including SORP-compliant accounts, independent examinations, Gift Aid claims, and compliance with Charity Commission requirements. Our team has decades of experience in this specialist field.
Are you qualified to perform statutory audits?
Yes, we are registered auditors providing statutory audit services for charities and companies. Our audit team holds relevant professional qualifications and maintains up-to-date regulatory compliance.
How do you support new business formations?
We assist with company incorporation, entity selection, share structure setup, and initial tax registrations. Our services include ongoing compliance support for new businesses navigating their first accounting period.
What tax planning services do you provide?
We offer personal and corporate tax planning covering income tax, corporation tax, and inheritance tax strategies. Our approach balances compliance with opportunities to lawfully optimise tax positions.
Do you handle payroll services for businesses?
Yes, we provide comprehensive payroll processing including PAYE, RTI submissions, and pension auto-enrolment. Our services ensure compliance with current employment tax legislation and reporting requirements.
