Finance
All URC Church Treasurers are automatically members of The Association of Church Accountants and Treasurers (ACAT).
The ACAT runs useful training courses and its website has lots of useful. To check the procedure for logging onto it please contact the Synod office
Resources
Church Accounts: The URC has created a Proforma for use in preparing Church Accounts. The format suggested provides all the information needed by the Synod and the Charity Commissioners in a simple and clear manner. It is strongly recommended that this format or something very similar is used. Failure to use a clear format may cause problems once the Church registers with the Charity Commissioners (see below)
Examination of Church Accounts: The Notes on the Role of an Independent Examiner provide guidance for those conducting the examination (mini-audit) of Church Accounts. It is strongly recommended that they are followed in order to meet Charity Commission Requirements.
Charity Commission Registration: Currently only larger churches with income (from all sources) of over £100,000 are required to register individually with the Charity Commissioners. Smaller churches are treated as having charitable status by belonging to the national denomination. However, this is going to change. The Government has said that within a few years all churches – even the smallest will have to register and then submit their Report and Accounts to the Charity Commissioners and complete a return each year. The URC has prepared useful Guidance Notes to help Churches work through the Registration process. If you follow this guidance, it is relatively straightforward.
The recently introduced Gift Aid Small Donation Scheme (GASDS) is a great help to Churches in maximising the amount of Gift Aid that can be recovered each year. Again, the URC has produced guidance on how to use this scheme.
Further guidance on GASDS and Gift Aid generally can be found on the HMRC website at: www.gov.uk/claim-gift-aid
Mersey Synod Treasurer and Mersey Synod Finance Officer
John Beech is the URC Mersey's Treasurer. John’s overall responsibility is for the accounting function, budgeting, investment and financial management of the Synods and Trusts finances.
Denise Harman is Premises and Finance Officer working alongside the Treasurer.
If you have any finance concerns or queries, please get in touch.
