Dear Treasurer,
I am writing to thank you for taking on the role of Honorary Treasurer of your PCC.
Parish treasurers are quite often under-valued, yet they play a vital role not only in promoting good stewardship of all the PCC’s resources, but also championing best practice in finance, administration, and in ensuring that the PCC remains forward-looking, outward-focused and on a sustainable financial footing for the years that lie ahead. So I greatly appreciate your willingness to support your local church in this practical capacity, and indeed contribute to the wider mission and ministry of the church in your deanery and across the Diocese of Peterborough.
I’m sure you are reasonably familiar with the workings of PCCs, but there are a wide range of resources and training materials available to support you as you get to grips with your new role. We are gradually updating the Finance section of the diocesan website too.
Guide for PCC Treasurers
Key points covered include change of PCC Treasurer, record keeping and retention periods, bank accounts and handling of money, collections, parochial fees for occasional offices, routine expenditure, budgets and budgetary control, investments, insurance and risk management, reporting to the PCC, and so on.
I recommend that you update the PCC’s bank mandates as a priority if you have not done so already.
As you will always need two signatories to authorise transactions, I suggest you try to find three people to be set up on each bank / CCLA CBF account in case someone is away on holiday or unwell.
PCC Accountability: The Charities Act 2011 and the PCC (5th edition, 2017)
This is the handbook for a PCC Treasurer, covering all aspects of Accounting and Reporting for a CofE parish. Contents include:
• Principles of trust funds
• The Annual Report, Receipts & Payments Accounting and Accounting Example
• Independent Examination
Other useful websites
Parish Resources
A comprehensive website maintained by the Stewardship & Resources team of the Church of England governing many aspects of parish life including:
• PCC procedures
• People / HR matters
• Administration guidelines
• Parish finance matters
• Receipts & Payments Guide
• Gift Aid / Small Donations Scheme guidance
• Parish Buying (discounts on key church supplies): www.parishbuying.org.uk
• Giving & Stewardship
• Buildings
Charity Commission
Registration of larger PCC’s (gross income over £100,000) with the Charity Commission.
A comprehensive website giving guidance on accounting, reporting and legislative matters.
Follow the links for the specific specialist areas.
Charity SORP
Guidance for charity accounting.
Association of Church Accountants and Treasurers (ACAT)
The Association provides valuable resources, advice and training as well as information on accounting, financial, legal and other related issues. Their Introductory Guide for New Church Treasurers provides a most helpful overview.
You may be feeling slightly daunted by the role – that’s quite natural, and you would not be alone!
Help is at hand: if you have further questions, please feel free to contact me or a member of the Finance team in the Diocesan office by emailing us or calling us on 01733 887000. We’ll do our best to help you. Alternatively, I’m sure that your Deanery Treasurer would be willing to offer you some guidance.
Thank you again in advance for your support.
David Mason FCCA FMAAT DChA
Chief Finance Officer