Support From The Team
The role of a treasurer
The role of a treasurer is a very important one. Not only will thousands of pounds flow through the Church’s funds, but the PCC is also an independent charity, and will need to conform to Charity Commission guidance. Appointing a treasurer is a significant step for both the PCC and the individual. The treasurer does not need to be an accountant, but it is important that a potential treasurer has both the honesty and enthusiasm for the job. The size and scope of the Treasurer’s job will depend on the size and complexity of the Parish.
Key tasks
- Carry out the financial decisions made by the PCC. The responsibility for both raising and spending money to meet the PCC’s responsibilities lies with the PCC. The Treasurer implements their decisions.
- Draft an annual budget to assist the PCC to plan how it will fulfil its objectives for the coming year.
- Record all financial transactions carried out on behalf of the PCC and ensure they are properly authorised.
- Monitor the PCC’s finances throughout the year, and alert the PCC if any difficulties are likely.
- Work with the PCC to meet all its financial obligations, especially what the PCC has pledged to pay, clergy expenses and insuring the church buildings against fire, theft and public liability.
- Maintain, and set-up if needed, a book-keeping system. We recommend you use Data Developments, as it is “cloud based” and can be easily passed on to the next Treasurer
- Prepare the annual financial statements for approval by the PCC and submission to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, ensuring that they comply with current Charity Commission requirements.
- Send a copy of the annual financial statements to the Finance Department, Edward King House, Lincoln, LN2 1PU or via email to : finance@lincoln.anglican.org
- Complete the national financial information return on line please contact the Parish Support Office.
More detailed guidance
The Association of Church Accountants and Treasurers (ACAT) have produced an extremely useful New Treasurers Guide. This provides a wide ranging overview to a range of topics of interest to new treasurers.
Once you have the basics underway, you might want to look ahead at the Annual Report and Accounts that you will need to produce at the end of the year. Understanding these responsibilities at the begining of the year will help you produce this later on. Church of England guidance can be found in the document ‘PCC Accountability’. Click here for a pdf of the latest edition (this is a pdf of the pre-print version) or buy a hard copy from any good Christian bookshop.
Please find a guide to being a successful parish treasurer, as created by our finance department. In it you will find useful guides for all of your responsibilities as treasurer, as they relate to our policies in the Diocese of Lincoln.
Please also find an example of parish accounts. The will aid with the preparation of your annual financial accounts and reporting.
The Church of England has an excellent publication to help PCCs meet their reporting responsibilities. You can read it online, or buy from the Diocesan Finance Office for £5. The book covers all areas of producing the annual report and accounts, including a full set of example accounts.
Please see the page below for more information about Restricted and Unrestricted Funds.