Chartered leadership with a heart for not-for-profits
Founded on the principle that charities and small enterprises deserve the highest calibre of financial stewardship — without prohibitive fees.
"My guiding belief: every charity's trustees deserve the same quality of financial leadership that only FTSE boardrooms could previously afford."
From Multinational Finance Direction to Community Impact
Crest Accounting Ltd was established by Jane Ward following her early retirement from a demanding Finance Director role within a multinational corporation. Having steered multimillion-pound budgets, global reporting frameworks, and strategic forecasts for FTSE-listed organisations, Jane chose to redirect that senior financial expertise into a realm where it creates the greatest tangible difference: charities, community organisations, and small independent businesses.
Her guiding vision is simple and unwavering: to provide top-tier, compliant, and proactive accounting support at the lowest possible prices, ensuring that valuable funds remain focused squarely on fulfilling charitable objectives and empowering growing enterprises.
Every client is assigned a dedicated, named chartered professional. You will never be treated as a transaction number or passed between inexperienced junior clerks. We respond within 24 hours — always.
Melza Linfield BSc, FCA — ICAEW Fellowship & Statutory Mastery
Melza Linfield brings the prestigious ICAEW Fellowship (FCA) to Crest Accounting Ltd, complementing Jane Ward's CIMA expertise with deep Chartered Accountancy authority. Her fellowship represents over a decade of senior accounting practice, rigorous statutory compliance work, and professional audit experience.
Melza's academic grounding in Accounting Sciences (BSc) provides the quantitative and analytical foundations that underpin every engagement — whether an independent charity examination, corporation tax computation, or complex multi-fund trustee report.
As an ICAEW Fellow, Melza is bound by the Institute's strict ethics framework, mandatory continuing professional development, and comprehensive professional indemnity insurance. Your finances are in the safest possible hands.
"Accurate statutory reporting is not just a regulatory obligation — it's the foundation that enables charities and businesses to plan, grow, and thrive."
The values behind every engagement
Affordable Excellence
Every charity deserves top-tier financial stewardship without prohibitive fees. We deliver FTSE-level expertise at accessible rates.
Direct Accountability
You always speak directly to a named, qualified chartered professional. No call centres. No junior clerks handing off your finances.
Proactive Partnership
We don't just process numbers — we identify opportunities, flag risks before they materialise, and keep you ahead of every deadline.
Cloud-First Transparency
Real-time Xero dashboards give you complete visibility into your finances at any hour, anywhere. No waiting for quarterly reports.
What our qualifications mean for you
Unlike the term 'accountant' — which is unregulated in the UK — our chartered credentials guarantee strict codes of conduct, CPD, and mandatory professional indemnity insurance.
Highest tier of CIMA membership, reflecting strategic financial leadership, multi-year performance, and demonstrated management accounting mastery at the most senior corporate levels.
An internationally recognised management accounting credential certifying expertise in finance, operations, strategy, and risk management.
Regulatory authorisation to offer public accounting services. Requires annual CPD, professional indemnity insurance, and full compliance with CIMA's code of ethics.
ICAEW Fellowship denotes over a decade of senior chartered practice, evidencing deep competence in audit, compliance, statutory reporting, and tax advisory.
Rigorous academic foundation in accounting theory, financial analysis, taxation, and audit methodology, underpinning Melza's professional practice.
Ready to discuss your organisation with Jane & Melza?
We offer a free initial consultation with zero obligation. Let's explore how we can support your mission.