Martin Bailey

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Role & Experience

Martin manages a varied portfolio, with a particular emphasis on charity, not for profit and  social enterprise clients. He has gained extensive and invaluable knowledge and experience of the sector, including the specialised auditing and reporting requirements, as well as tax and general business support matters for such organisations.

Alongside ensuring that all core compliance requirements are met, charities are ever more valuing the strategic advice and support that Martin provides. Recently, he has been helping clients with trustee training, using trustees’ reports as a marketing tool, and reviewing the effectiveness of the accounts function.

He regularly blogs on matters affecting the sector, both technical and topical, has lectured by invitation on charity accounting rules (the SORP), and provides training to trustees on their legal responsibilities and governance.

Testimonials

The most valuable element for us, is our relationship with Martin.  He understands charities, but he really understands what’s important to us.  We welcome his contribution at trustee board meetings where he brings his broad expertise but it is always honed to what’s key for us.  He is always there to support us, for example he was on hand to provide his expertise on a project to implement a new finance system and has been a coach for the finance team. He is a valued business partner.

- Michael Holland, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Peaceful Change Initiative

It was refreshing when Goodman Jones took over our audit and their professional management of the process meant that they turned things around fast and always delivered when they said they would. That was fantastic in terms of having the confidence that we in turn could meet our deadlines.

Over and above the audit process they are good at responding to our queries and also identifying ways to help. For example, they helped us amend the format of the disclosure regarding funds so that it showed a clearer picture of the balances. That enabled us to present the picture to the board and give a true picture easily.

- Kam Dhoot, Head of Finance
University of West London Students Union

There are several things I value about working with Goodman Jones:

• The charity team are very flexible and able to adapt and complement the skills and expertise we have in-house. I value the fact that they are able to flag changes in the regulatory issues well in time for us to prepare. This was particularly valuable regarding the changes that the new SORP brought.
• They are personable and easy to communicate with. I email questions and get timely responses with thought-through and helpful replies.
• They use the opportunity of the audit to highlight issues that we could implement to make improvements. Those reports are presented in such a way that it makes it easy for me to share throughout the organisation.

In short, I am very happy with the service, which I would summarise as being helpful and thoughtful. I would recommend Goodman Jones to other charities looking for a competent and personable service.

- Charity Financial Controller

Qualifications

ACA

Memberships and Organisations

He is a member of the Audit and Assurance Faculty at the Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales (ICAEW) and a member of the ICAEW’s Charity & Voluntary Community.

Career

Martin joined Goodman Jones in 2012 as a manager, having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2008, and became a partner in 2018.

In addition to his role at Goodman Jones, Martin is an independent advisor to the Audit and Governance committee of a further education research charity.

Interests

Martin is a keen hockey player, playing for his local club in a regional league.