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Digital accountancy expertise pays for charity payment technology start-up

ByDave Stopher

Jun 20, 2018

RG is supporting a national technology company – which is changing the way the public donate to charities – with its specialist digital accounting services.

Social impact start-up GoodBox has developed technology that enables people to make contactless donations to charities and non-profit organisations.

Over the past year, GoodBox has established a series of trials for its prototype products, notably with high-profile visitor attractions in London, including the Natural History Museum, Tate Galleries and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

In recent months, an agreement with Parish Buying has been secured, for devices to be installed in nine UK cathedrals, abbeys and churches across the country, including St Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle and Liverpool Cathedral.

Following the completion of a £2.64m Series A funding round, GoodBox has begun the manufacture of its products on a larger scale to meet high demand from the sector.

As a result of its rapid early development, GoodBox requires agile and proactive accountancy support. As a leading provider of Xero cloud accountancy technology and advisor to an increasing number of SME businesses, RG is well-placed to support GoodBox.

The firm, which was the first chartered accountancy practice in Newcastle-upon-Tyne to secure ‘Gold Status’ from Xero, operates a digital platform that enables GoodBox to access contemporary business information, via a highly-secure online connection, to enable its directors to make informed decisions.

Alicia Jelinek CFO from GoodBox, said: “We are at an exciting stage of the early development of GoodBox with a series of successful trials under our belt and our first manufactured devices soon to be available to the market. Therefore it was really important to have the most up to date business information when we need it.

“Despite being a tech company, our accounting process was very traditional, but with the support of RG, we are able to apply the same digital-led approach we offer our customers to our own accounts.

“Also in keeping with our business model, proximity doesn’t prevent a good working relationship. RG has been very responsive and always on hand with the right advice.”

Deborah Graham, partner at RG, said: “There is no doubt that applying technology in the right way can make a difference to our lives and businesses. Being able to make contactless charity donations through GoodBox’s technology is a positive development for third sector organisations, which reflects the changing culture of how we use and carry money.

“It’s great working alongside an ambitious and exciting start-up business, which is benefiting from the use of our digital accounting platform. The future looks bright for GoodBox and we’re looking forward to supporting them as the business grows.”