Guidance for Treasurers
Most of the work of a PCC Treasurer is straightforward and there is help available for areas that you might find slightly more complex. If you are new to the role, then please read our welcome letter.
The Parish Resource website is a comprehensive website maintained by the Stewardship & Resources team of the Church of England covers all aspects of PCC finances. The following pages are particularly helpful for new PCC Treasurers:
To mark Trustees' Week 2020 (2-5 November), the Charity Commission has published a series of '5 minute guides' covering the 'core syllabus' of basics that trustees need to know. The first of these guides, managing charity finances, is particularly relevant for PCC Treasurers but is applicable to all trustees. We strongly recommend you read this, and make use of the additional links and guidance from this page.
As the Charity Commission points out, 'as a trustee you must take steps to make sure that your charity’s money is safe, properly used and accounted for. Every trustee has to do this. Even if your charity has an expert to manage its finances, you are still responsible for overseeing your charity’s money.'
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Key responsibilities are to: |
The other ' 5-minute guides' are: |
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PCC Accountability: The Charities Act 2011 and the PCC (5th edition, 2017)
This excellent book produced by the Church of England contains everything you'll need to know about preparing the year-end accounts including a full set of example accounts. The contents can be read on-line, but hard copies are also available from the Diocesan Finance office for £5.
Further accounting and reporting guidance can be found on the PCC Accounts and Return of Parish Finance page of the website.
A PCC's 'gross income' will determine when it needs to register with the Charity Commission and comply with charity law. Refer to the dedicated page on the Parish Resources site for further guidance: Charities Act requirements for PCC registration
Some PCCs and deaneries have received letters from banks asking them to fill in a form in relation to the United States Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). The link below directs you to the Parish Resources page that includes advice on how to complete the form, together with a draft covering letter: FATCA.
The Deanery Treasurer is a key member of the Deanery Leadership Team. You can also view an outline role description here. For further information, please contact the Director of Finance.