Health & Professional · Brisbane
Accountants for Not-for-Profits
ACNC reporting, the NFP self-review return, grant acquittals and an audit every year — governance-heavy compliance on a volunteer's timetable.
What are a not-for-profit's tax and reporting obligations?
Registered charities report annually to the ACNC (Annual Information Statement, with financial reports for medium and large charities) and access tax concessions including income tax exemption and, where endorsed, DGR status. Non-charitable NFPs that self-assess as income tax exempt must now lodge an annual NFP self-review return with the ATO. Most organisations also face incorporated association obligations, GST and FBT concessions, and grant acquittal reporting on funders' own timetables.
- Specialist support for not-for-profit organisations
- Fixed monthly packages from $220
- BAS, payroll and year-end handled together
- Benchmarked against ATO industry figures
What we watch
What matters most for not-for-profit organisations.
The NFP self-review return
Self-assessing non-charitable NFPs must lodge annually or risk losing exemption. Many boards are still unaware.
Grant acquittals
Funders want expenditure mapped to the funded purpose. Set the chart of accounts up for that at the start, not at acquittal.
FBT and GST concessions
Rebatable employer status and salary packaging concessions are valuable but conditional — and commonly applied incorrectly.
Board-readable reporting
Volunteer boards need reports they can govern from, with restricted and unrestricted funds shown separately.
Deductions
Not-for-Profits — what you can claim.
A working checklist we go through with every client in this sector. Substantiation requirements differ by item — we'll tell you which need records and which don't.
- Program delivery and service costs
- Employee wages, super and salary packaging
- Premises, utilities and insurance
- Volunteer support, training and screening costs
- Audit, accounting and governance costs
- Fundraising and event expenses
- Depreciation on equipment and vehicles
- Software, IT and cyber-security costs
How we help
Services not-for-profit organisations use most.
Tax Returns
Individual and business returns prepared accurately, lodged fast, with every deduction claimed.
Learn more →Tax Planning
Year-round planning that lowers your tax bill before 30 June — not after it.
Learn more →Business Accounting
Bookkeeping, BAS, payroll and management reporting handled end to end.
Learn more →Self-Managed Super (SMSF)
SMSF setup, administration, compliance and audit coordination in one place.
Learn more →Business Advisory
Structuring, cash-flow forecasting, growth strategy and succession planning.
Learn more →Financial Reporting
Clear statutory and management accounts you can actually make decisions from.
Learn more →FAQ
Not-for-Profits — questions we're asked most.
Do we need an audit?
It depends on size and legal form. Medium ACNC-registered charities need a review or audit; large charities need an audit. Incorporated associations have separate thresholds under Queensland law, and funding agreements often impose their own requirements regardless. We prepare the financials and coordinate an independent auditor.
What is the NFP self-review return?
Non-charitable not-for-profits with an active ABN that self-assess as income tax exempt must lodge an annual self-review return with the ATO confirming eligibility. Failing to lodge can lead to loss of exemption and penalties. It's a governance item that belongs on the annual calendar.
How do we get DGR status?
DGR endorsement requires falling within a specific DGR category and meeting its conditions — charitable registration alone isn't sufficient. Applications are made to the ATO, and most refusals come from purposes or governing documents that don't match the category claimed. Get the constitution reviewed before applying.
Can we pay our board members?
Usually only if the constitution permits it and conflicts are managed properly; many governing documents prohibit it outright. Reimbursement of genuine expenses is normally fine. Payments to related parties also require careful disclosure under ACNC governance standards.
Related
Related pages.
Financial Reporting
Clear statutory and management accounts you can actually make decisions from.
Learn more →Business Accounting
Bookkeeping, BAS, payroll and management reporting handled end to end.
Learn more →Business Advisory
Structuring, cash-flow forecasting, growth strategy and succession planning.
Learn more →Small Business Accountant Brisbane
Sole traders to companies
Learn more →Local coverage across Brisbane
We work in person from our Wakerley office and by secure video across 200 suburbs. Start with your region:
- Accountants Brisbane CPA accountants for the wider Brisbane metro area.
- Accountants South Brisbane South Brisbane, West End, Annerley and Sunnybank.
- Accountants Brisbane Northside Chermside, Stafford, Aspley and the northern corridor.
- Accountants Brisbane Bayside Wynnum, Manly, Wakerley and Tingalpa.
- Accountants Redland City Cleveland, Capalaba, Victoria Point and the bay islands.
- Accountants Logan City Springwood, Beenleigh, Browns Plains and 50 Logan suburbs.
- Accountants Ipswich Ipswich CBD and the western Brisbane corridor.
Ready when you are
Accountants for not-for-profits — let's talk.
Free 15-minute consultation, fixed monthly fee, and an accountant who already knows your sector.