Testimonials for the Diploma in Charity Accounting

Testimonials about the Diploma in Charity Accounting.

Experience route

Kate Sayer DChA, ACA

Partner, Sayer Vincent

"I am really pleased that more people will now have the opportunity to study and learn about the complexities of charity accounting through the ICAEW diploma. Charities themselves will benefit enormously from having properly qualified individuals working for them and undertaking their audits. Recognition of expertise by the Institute represents a significant step forward in professionalism."

Keith Hickey BSc MSc FCCA

Chief Executive, Charity Finance Directors' Group

"I am delighted to give my full support to the new ICAEW Diploma in Charity Accounting (DChA). This is a leading qualification in the charity finance field and offers recognition of the specialist knowledge and experience acquired by holders of the award."

Peter Gotham DChA, ACA

Partner, Gotham Erskine LLP and Chairman of the ICAEW Charity & Voluntary Sector Group

"I found the ICAEW Diploma in Charity Accounting experience route a rigorous test of my skills and knowledge in the area of charity finance and I am pleased to have earned recognition of my experience. Qualifications offered by the ICAEW are widely recognised as leading the field and are held by those who are at the very top of their profession. The ICAEW Diploma in Charity Accounting is no exception."

Nicholas Brooks DChA, ACA

Partner - Head of Not For Profit, Kingston Smith LLP

"The Diploma in Charity Accounting demonstrates that the holders have a specialist understanding of charity accounting and finance within a strategic, policy and governance context, and as such will play an important role in raising and recognising standards. 

"The charity sector has become much more professional over the last few years and it is essential that those who work with and in charities in the accounting field match that new professionalism. 

"There is no doubt that this Diploma will be much sought after by business and accounting professionals who want a respected set of initials after their name to recognise their achievements and expertise in this sector. 

"The charity sector is very specialised and the charities themselves both as employers and clients will recognise the value of the award when assessing their employees and advisers."

Elliot Harris DChA

Partner, Chantrey Vellacott DFK and ICAEW Disciplinary Committee member

"The Diploma in Charity Accounting demonstrates that the holders have a specialist understanding of charity accounting and finance within a strategic, policy and governance context, and as such will play an important role in raising and recognising standards. 

"The charity sector has become much more professional over the last few years and it is essential that we who work with and in charities in the accounting field match that new professionalism."

Fiona Young, DChA

Head of Resources, Tudor Trust

"Both charities and charity accounting have changed beyond recognition over the last ten years. This raises unique challenges for those advising and working with charities. The ICAEW diploma identifies those who have the knowledge and experience required to fully understand these challenges and make an effective contribution within the sector."

Ron McCahill, FCA DChA

Director of Finance, KIDS

"I have been in the charity sector for many years and I wanted to ensure that my employers receive the best advice, so I applied for the Diploma in Charity Accounting (DChA). This qualification enables the ICAEW to help raise the benchmark of individuals and standards of charity finance. 

"It also gives confidence to the most important person, the donor or funder that their money is in good hands. Just as the ACA is a recognised must in the accounting world, the DChA should be a minimum requirement for finance professionals in charity sector."

Michael Jellicoe

Practitioner specialising in the not for profit sector

"The most impressive aspect of undertaking the exercise for obtaining the Diploma in Charity Accounting is the realisation of the importance of the accountant's breadth of understanding and its effective practical application to real situations. 

"This does not feel like an academic qualification as much as recognition of the way in which accountants provide wide-ranging, useful advice to their charity clients. If you have a serious interest in charities and are a practising accountant, I would recommend it."

Reza Motazedi

Head of Charity and Not-for-Profit Group, Vantis Plc

"I would recommend the Diploma in Charity Accounting to anyone wanting to demonstrate their expertise in charity accounting. The Diploma increases our credibility as charity specialists among our clients, so much so that we are devising a programme for our students who want to specialise in the sector."

Study route

Marina Phillips, DChA

St Joseph’s Hospice

The wide choice of assignment topics offered in the course enabled me to address real life issues facing me in my own working environment, making it hugely beneficial not only to my own personal and professional development, but also to my employer.

Paul Butler

In September 2006, Paul Butler achieved the DChA and MSc through the study route. Having moved careers from financial services to the charity sector, Paul felt that the only way to advance his new career was to obtain recognised qualifications.

“Since qualifying, I have used the DChA and MSc to achieve my goal of moving into a finance director role. I felt that both qualifications were essential in achieving this move, as they made my CV very attractive to employers. 

"The skills, managerial techniques and realisation of the charity world’s regulatory environment and issues have proved invaluable in my career. 

"The course brought me fully up-to-date with recent changes and issues surrounding the financial environment within the sector. It also gave me insight into other areas of a charity’s organisation and how it all fits together."