Parish Treasurer

Parish Treasurer

General

The ministry that a Treasurer offers a Parish is a vital one and it is fundamental to the effectiveness of the church’s mission in that area. Without good stewardship of the financial resources of the Parish, it will be severely restricted in what it can do.

The Treasurer will desirably be a person who is very much involved in the life of the Parish, particularly its vision for the future and the financial implications of that vision.

The Treasurer, along with the other members of Parish Council, must be able to be able to appreciate the church's needs and resources, and to know that needs and resources are not only measured in money terms. The needs of the church include the need to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world. The resources of the church can be defined to include the abilities and depth of commitment of the church members and supremely in terms of the infinite resources of God, who calls us, and who enables us to respond to his call.

The Treasurer is a vital person to the health of every Parish, and the debt which the church owes to the devoted service of its many thousands of Treasurers is known to God alone.

Appointment & Qualifications

The Treasurer is appointed by the Parish Council from amongst its own number under Section 20.2 or 20.3 of Statute. While the Treasurer does not necessarily have to be a qualified accountant or a trained bookkeeper he or she would need to like and be comfortable with figures.

The appointment of a Treasurer is one of considerable importance to the effective working of a Parish Council so careful consideration needs to be given to the selection of the right person prior to any meeting at which appointments will be made.

Normally the Treasurer would have at least some of the following qualities:

• methodical and precise in recording and providing information on funds received and expenditures incurred, budgeting and preparation of financial statements
• timely in ensuring prompt banking of all moneys and payment of accounts and other commitments subject to approval by the Parish Council
• able to think ahead, foresee problems and to suggest clear ways for the Parish Council to deal effectively with its financial resources and to rise to any financial challenge
• able to present a realistic picture of the Parish's financial position.

A person is not capable of being elected as the Treasurer where they:

• undertake any paid position of the Parish or enter into any contract with the Parish; or
• hold a position as the Rector or Warden; or
• have been charged with an indictable criminal offence until such time as the proceedings have been concluded; or
• are found guilty of an indictable criminal offence; or
• are under the age of 18

Role & Responsibilities

The Parish Council is charged under the Statute with the responsibility of managing and overseeing the financial resources of the Parish. Section 63 of the Statute stipulates that the Parish Council must ensure that:

1. adequate financial records are maintained to correctly record and explain the financial transactions and financial position of the Parish
2. a satisfactory system of internal control is maintained that must include effective financial management, safeguarding of assets and segregation of duties.

The duties of the Treasurer as defined in section 64 is primarily of keeping such accounts as the Parish Council determines and ensuring the annual accounts are rendered as required by section 64.2. To properly carry out these duties a Treasurer would have to see that the income of the Parish is regularly paid into Parish bank accounts and is accounted for properly, ensure that the bills and accounts of the Parish are paid in time with proper documentation, and provide timely and relevant financial information to Parish Council.

The role of the Treasurer does not involve policy making powers about what expenditures are appropriate for the Parish – that is the role of the whole Parish Council, but the Treasurer does contribute to that as one member of Parish Council.

Sections 64.2 of the Statute provides that accounts be made up and closed on 30 April each year and that the duly audited statements and a budget for the ensuing financial year are laid before the annual meeting of parishioners and a copy forwarded to the Diocesan Registrar.

These accounts form the basis for preparation of annual financial returns to the Diocese.