We recommend you start using the charity option at the start of a new financial year.

We recommend creating a new set of nominal codes and a new chart of accounts. 

If you need to remove your existing data, you must rebuild your data and enter opening balances for the start of the new financial year.

 NOTE: The Charities option is available in the Standard and Professional variants of Sage 50 Accounts. If you're using Sage 50 Accounts Essentials and want to upgrade to use the Charities option, leave your details and we'll be in touch.

If you have existing data in your company. You need to rebuild your data before enabling the charity option. 

Prepare your data for a rebuild

Before rebuilding your data, follow these steps:

1. Check your data.
2. Take a backup.
3. Run your financial year end. 
4. Archive your data. 

Rebuild your data

1. Click File, Maintenance then Rebuild.
2. Clear the Keep my Nominal Account records check box.
3. From the Business Type area, select Charities or other non-profit making organisation.
4. Click OK then click Yes.
5. Complete the Financial Year window as follows:
   

   Month	Use the drop-down list to choose the month in which your financial year starts.
   Year	Enter the year your financial year starts.

6. Click OK, then click Yes.
7. Click OK then click Close.

Enable the charities option

1. Click Settings then Company Preferences.
2. Select the Parameters tab.
3. From the Others area, tick Enable Charity\Non-Profit options and click OK.

Edit the default SOFA categories

1. Click Settings then Nominal Defaults.
2. Select the category you want to edit and click Edit.
3. In the Name box, enter the required name.
4. Click OK then OK.