Chelmsford Diocese provides helps and supports treasurers in the following ways.
Training days
We offer four PCC treasurer training days each year which cover all of the major aspects of being a church treasurer in a friendly approachable way. The main headings covered are:
- What you do every week- cash handling , fees, vicars expenses etc.
- Year end – Annual Accounts, Charities Act, Independent Examination/audits
- PCC reports, parish budgets budget reporting
- VAT, investments, charity status.
- Gift Aid
- Stewardship
These events are all held on Saturdays from 10am to 3.30pm and are free of charge, but booking is essential. Dates will be announced later in the year.
Annual Accounts Workshops
Every February we offer an Annual accounts workshop (or if sufficient demand two events) These days are opportunities for treasurers to bring along their own accounts and get one to one help preparing the annual accounts for external examination/audit and for the annual meeting.
These days are also free of charge, and on a Saturday. Booking a place essential. Tea / coffee provided, although you will need to bring a packed lunch.
General support
In addition to this general support is also available by telephone and e-mail to answer questions and queries. Appointments in the office are available, parish visits are also possible. For more information please contact:
The Finance Team by email or call 01245 294494.
PCC Treasurers' Handbook
The 2019 PCC Treasurers Handbook is available to download.
To view the document please click here. (This file is 4Mb)
Charitable Status/Charity Number
The vast majority of Church Of England PCC’s are Excepted Charities ,not Registered Charities, this is why most parishes do not have a Registered Charity number. You are not allowed to use the Diocesan Charity number that only applies to the Diocesan Board of Finance.
Parishes with total income that exceeds £100,000 in any year cannot, unless a special dispensation is applied for, and granted, legally remain an Excepted Charity. Parishes exceeding the threshold must now register with the Charity Commissioners.
Compliance with this is very important, not least because your ability to continue reclaiming Gift Aid Tax depends on having a legal charitable status. There is an agreed Church of England registration procedure. If you are affected please contact the Parish Finance Officer for advice and to obtain a registration pack.
The only difference that registration makes to most parishes apart from having a Charity Number is that additional annual returns must be made to the Charity Commissioners. All charity law and regulations already applies to all PCC’s. The registration threshold is being reviewed. As soon as further information becomes available on the changes to this, it will be widely circulated to all affected parishes.
