CIC's , Annual Returns & Digital

bordercars

We set up a CIC a year ago & have had a request to submit our annual return.  I have asked about local accountants and many seem reluctant to engage, a large firm quoted almost £1000, and we have the usual letters from online companies for around £400.  We are a non profit group of volunteers, all income is via grants and  locality budgets from councillors with a few donations and sales from Christmas cards and calendar.  Normal annual income / expenditure is sub £10k but with the covid period is probably between £15 & £20K . My question is with the costs involved would we be better getting software like sage designed for a ' not for profit '  and paying a discounted rate or going for open source free.   We would need it to cover depreciation of equipment etc.and  even though both directors are self employed ( real jobs ) were not getting our heads around the regulations were expected to cover.  Any guidance from others in a similar situation would be great.  

Savvy_Sue

https://iel.org.uk/

I'd get in touch with these people. No idea how their charges will compare, but they are charity / CIC specialists.