Treasurer’s Resources

This page contains resources for Vestry Treasurers.  If you would like further assistance please contact the Diocesan Assistant Treasurer. The Diocesan Assistant Treasurer can be contacted via the Diocesan Office and on treasurer@aberdeen.anglican.org.

What are the responsibilities of the Vestry Treasurer’s?

The Vestry Treasurer’s responsibilities can be found in full on the  SEC Website and key points are summarised below .

• The preparation of budgets and their presentation to the Vestry for approval as a matter of good practice.
• The collection and banking of all monies received – the Treasurer will not necessarily collect cash themselves and good practice is to have more than one person involved.
• The prompt payment of all accounts, Quota etc., due by the Charge, as within the approved budget and the timeous submission to the Vestry for its approval any other payments out with the budget.
• The keeping of up-to-date, accurate and complete financial records for all receipts and payments including the retention of all appropriate vouchers.
• The presentation to the Vestry of regular periodic income and expenditure summaries – in comparison with budgets and/or previous years’ results; and of any investment valuations.
• The preparation of the Annual Accounts in accordance with the current charity accounting regulations and submission to the Vestry for approval and Independent Examiner/Auditor and submission of required information to OSCR and the Diocesan Officer
• The production of all records, vouchers, certificates, etc., required for independent examination/audit purposes.
• The presentation of the Annual Report and Accounts to the AGM.
• Advising the vestry members on the required internal control procedures to manage risks. Guidance on this issue is available from The Charity Commission for England and Wales website.

The Treasurer is not responsible for fundraising: it is the duty of all trustees to ensure the charge is financially sustainable.

Many aspects often associated with the role, such as dealing with Gift Aid, can be carried out by other Vestry members.  Your local Third Sector Interface may be able to advise on sources of external assistance e.g. payroll if appropriate.

Each Charge is a charity in its own right and the Trustees of the church jointly hold the responsibilities of that Charity.  The Church’s constitution binds the church to be governed by the Code of Canons and the Digest of Resolutions and generic advice on charities should be read in that context.

• https://www.scotland.anglican.org/who-we-are/publications/code-of-canons/
• https://www.scotland.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/Digest-of-Resolutions-2020.pdf

In particular there is a very specific requirement for Treasurers: the first two priorities of a congregation regarding finances, are set in the Digest of Resolutions:

1. pay the standard stipend and allowances for its Clergy.
2. contribute the required amount of Quota.

Helpful links and downloads

• SEC Unit Trust Pool Information
• SEC Unit Trust Pool – Monthly Unit Prices
• SEC Standard Stipend Information
• Clergy and Lay Appointment Information (includes pensions)
• Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) – the OSCR website has model receipts and payments accounts which can be used to prepare the charges annual accounts
• Claiming Gift Aid Online
• Ethical Investment Policy – The Scottish Episcopal Church (anglican.org) – investing in SECUT’s ensures the Charge meets the requirements of the SEC ethical investment policy

Canon 35 Application Materials

Below are application forms for pre-application, experimental re-ordering, retrospective application and applying for a Canon 35.