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Being a treasurer is a great way to give your valuable skills towards making a real difference in your church. You do not need to be an accountant but it’s important that a treasurer has both the honesty and enthusiasm to do the job.
If you're considering becoming a treasurer, or you're a parish looking to a appoint a new person for the role, Parish Resources offer a comprehensive list of skills and characteristics along with details of the key tasks involved.
Find out more about the role of a treasurer
New Treasurers
Whether you're new to the role or looking to refresh your knowledge, the New Treasurers Handbook is available to access from the Parish Resources website. This gives a wealth of information about the duties and practicalities of being a treasurer.
Included is the New Church Treasurers guide produced by the Association of Church Accountants and Treasurers (ACAT) which provides a wide ranging overview to a range of topics of interest to new treasurers.
New treasurers should also submit their details to Chelmsford Diocese via their Parish Information Officer to ensure that they receive all the latest news, updates and information about parish finance.
Update PCC Treasurer information
Treasurer Training
Whether you're new to the role or looking for a refresher, Chelmsford Diocese signposts and provides training and support for treasurers and Gift Aid secretaries.
Access training for treasurers
General support
In addition to training, general support is also available by telephone and e-mail to answer questions and queries. Appointments in the office are available, parish visits are also possible. For more information please contact:
The Finance Team by email or call 01245 294430.
Gift Aid
The Gift Aid and Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS) enables charities (including churches) to reclaim tax on a donation made by a UK taxpayer. This means that every donation will be worth 25% more, at no extra cost to the giver.
Find out more about claiming Gift Aid
Charitable Status/Charity Number
The vast majority of Church Of England PCC’s are Excepted Charities, not Registered Charities, this is why most parishes do not have a Registered Charity number. You are not allowed to use the Diocesan Charity number as that only applies to the Diocesan Board of Finance.
Parishes with a total income that exceeds £100,000 in any year cannot, unless a special dispensation is applied for, and granted, legally remain an Excepted Charity. Parishes exceeding the threshold must now register with the Charity Commissioners.
Compliance with this is very important, not least because your ability to continue reclaiming Gift Aid Tax depends on having a legal charitable status. There is an agreed Church of England registration procedure. If you are affected please go to Parish Resources website and follow the guidance: Registration with the Charity Commission
The only difference that registration makes to most parishes, apart from having a Charity Number, is that additional annual returns must be made to the Charity Commissioners. All charity law and regulations already applies to all PCC’s.
The registration threshold is being reviewed. By the end of March 2031, all PCCs with an annual income of over £5,000, will need to be registered. A phrased onboarding for Church of England PCCs will likely start in 2026. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
