We realise that this type of service may be new to you and have provided answers to commonly asked questions.
If you require any more information or have an unanswered question, please click here and complete request form.
Preamble
Blue Sky is passionate about service and it places a great emphasis on delivering a service suited to the specific needs and circumstances of your organisation..
All services have controls in place to provide assurance to you and your funders. Examples would be reconciliations, the segregation of duties and authorisation procedures.
All services would use the use of Information Technology. Dependent on your services we can scale up or down for you.
1. How does the bookkeeping service operate?
It is generally dependent on individual circumstances. An example is provided below.
Purchase invoices and purchase orders can be posted or emailed by you, or posted to us directly from your suppliers. Data would be inputted onto the accounts software. A payment listing would be sent to you for approval. Cheques or BACs payment would be authorised by you and payment taken out of your bank account. We would also deal with all creditor queries.
We would generate sales invoices and payments would be lodged/credited to your bank account. We would chase up outstanding debts.
Bank account reconciliations and VAT returns would be completed. Posting of accruals and prepayments, the production of trial balances would also be completed by us.
2. How does the payroll service operate?
Information can be forwarded to us by post or email. We would also require your employees' personal details, terms and conditions, your PAYE reference, etc.
3. How does the management accounts service operate?
Under this service we would meet you on regular basis. For example, if you required budgets, we would meet with you to create annual budgets and also for reviewing budgets quarterly.
4. How does the year-end services or other services operate?
For example, if you required a review of your cost structure we would meet with you to discuss your specific requirement.
5. How much does your services cost?
We calculate our outsourcing fees on each service that you want us to perform and don't bundle our services. Bundling services is not effective for the buyer, as each service has its own service levels.
Fees are generally based on the throughput of cost and revenue items, for example, the number of staff employed or the number of grants awarded. Organisational size and its business operations would also be used in the calculation of fees.
A few examples are given below.
Full-outsourced function
If you were a charity with a turnover between £100,000 and £500,000 and opted for a full-outsourced function (bookkeeping, payroll, management accounts and year-end), it would normally cost between 1.5% and 2.5% of turnover. (Each service cost would be broken down to show what you are paying for).
If you were a charity with a turnover greater than £500,000 and also opted for a full-outsourced function, we would price upon request. However in some cases, the cost could still be within the range of 1.5% to 2.5% of turnover. In all cases our fees are based on the throughput of cost and revenue items, organisational size and its operations.
Individual services
If you opt for an individual service, it would depend on the service that you want us to perform. For example, if you were a small organisation, the bookkeeping service could cost as little as £500 per annum.
If you are interested in any, or all of our services and would like us to give you a quote, please click here and complete our proposal form.
6. If our funder wants to know more about financial controls, how can we provide this information for them?
Blue Sky can provide information on the control process. We are also happy to meet funders on your behalf.
7. What happens if a grant funder wishes to audit a grant claim that Blue Sky has prepared?
If Blue Sky has prepared the claim, we would attend the audit on your behalf.
8. Can I obtain a quote without any obligation?
Yes, if you are interested in any, or all of our services and would like us to give you a quote, please click here and complete our proposal form.
9. How do I sign up for Blue Sky's services?
Under any service we would firstly meet with you to discuss your requirements and ascertain your operations.
A Terms of Engagement would be drawn up. This document would contain such items as our scope of services, yours and our responsibilities, schedule of fees and frequency of services, confidentiality and complaints procedures, and termination.
If you wish to try out any service, we are happy to enter into a trial period of 3 months.