Finance
As well as managing the financial activity, reporting and planning for the United Reformed Eastern Province Trust, the Finance Officer provides support and guidance to churches and URC-related charities. So please do get in touch if you have any questions!
Explore the additional pages and sections for information about grants, policies and accounting and find resources to download.
Green Energy Procurement
Green Journey is the Synod’s consultant of choice for electricity and gas supplies.
Green Journey provides a range of services designed to help churches and church organisations successfully manage the complexities of energy and the environment.
Green Journey began in 2015 when the Diocese of Leeds approached Green Energy Consulting, one of the UK’s leading renewable energy experts, to assist themwith the reduction of their carbon footprint. Green Journey continues to grow and helps to successfully manage the complexities of energy and the environment as well as providing an opportunity to reduce overall costs while improving green credentials and reducing environmental impact.
Green Journey is based on building strong and proactive relationships with all of its clients, working closely with them at every level – honesty and integrity are at the core of all they do.
For more information visit greenjourney.org or contact Craig Hogg craig@greenjourney.org
Finance Policy
The Synod Finance Policy is regular reviewed and updated as necessary.
The most recent version of the policy can be downloaded here.
Resources and Guidance
Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme
The Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS) is a Government initiative that commenced on 6th April 2013 which enables church congregations to claim an annual government grant of up to £1,250 for every church building in which services of worship are held and a collection taken.
Find out more here.
Church Accounts under SORP
Guidance on URC church accounts following the Charities Act 2006, both for those which are registered charities and those which are not can be found here.
Reduced Software Costs for Charities
For churches who have a Charity Commission charity number, software can be purchased from tt-exchange Donated Technology for UK Charities. They will carry out a check to confirm that you are a registered charity and have a registered person for reporting the annual reports and accounts.
Find out more here.
Become a church treasurer
Guidance is available for those who are considering taking up (or have very recently been appointed to) the role of church treasurer in their local United Reformed Church. It focuses on the core responsibilities, and necessary skills and abilities of post holders – including basic accounting principles and an overview of the legal obligations of church treasurers.
Find the guidance here.
Association of Church Accountants
Don’t let the name put you off! ACAT is the charity for treasurers of Christian churches. All local URC churches have a paid-for subscription to their handbook and newsletter.
Have a browse here. Or contact the office to get your subscription!
The Charity Commission
The Charity Commission offers advice and provides a range of services and guidance to all charities in England and Wales.
Find out more here.
Online and contactless giving at church
As well as the now well established method of setting up a bank standing order for giving to the local church, some more technological solutions are being used by a number of churches.
A free guide for churches that are considering using online and contactless giving is available.
Find out more here.