We wanted to take a moment to say a massive thank you for attending the ACAT 2023 conference. We truly hope that you found the conference informative and enjoyable.
We know that the end of a conference can sometimes feel a little bittersweet, so we’ve put together this page to help you keep the ACAT 2023 Conference spirit alive! You will find some post-conference information such as conference slides, sponsors information and articles. We hope you find these resources helpful.
We would also love to hear your feedback about your experience at the conference. We are always looking to improve and your input is valuable to us. If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to fill out our quick questionnaire.
To access the questionnaire, simply click on the link provided below.
Finally, we would like to thank our sponsors for supporting this year’s conference. Without them bringing the event to life, it would not have been possible. We especially thank CAF Bank and CCLA for being our headline sponsors. You can read more about all our sponsors below.
Nigel Davies, Richard Hunt (CAF Bank), Grant Forrest (Parish Giving Scheme), Livia Velicu (Bates Wells), Manny Kemp, and Mark Heaton (ACIE) have kindly provided the slides used during their presentations to be shared with conference attendees. These slides are a great resource to help you better reflect on what was shared at the conference. You can find the slides below; just click on the speaker’s name.
CAF Bank is more than a bank. We are dedicated to supporting charities and social purposes enterprises and understanding the pressures they face. Owned by a charity, the Charities Aid Foundation, we share the ethos of the 14,000 organisations using our banking, deposit account, and lending services. From the one-person causes to the large-scale organisations, we are the bank charities turn to. We believe in the power of good, and in treating the goals of charities as our own.
CCLA is committed to delivering sustainable returns to our clients in a way that aligns with their values and furthers their mission. Our philosophy as an asset manager, our aim is to deliver superior, sustainable risk-adjusted returns to our clients in a way that aligns with their values and furthers their mission.
Bates Wells is a values-driven law firm, where having a positive social and environmental impact is as core to our business as commercial success. As the UK’s leading charity law firm, we advise many Christian charities, umbrella bodies and places of worship. Many of our team have personal links with the faith communities we advise. That shapes our advice and means we understand your priorities. The firm’s top tier legal advice is coupled with a real desire to drive change and it was the first UK law firm to achieve B Corp certification, awarded to businesses that balance purpose and profit.
Data Developments have developed three main software packages as well as bookkeeping, independent examination, training and support services. Our software packages include:
MyFundAccounting – The dynamic cloud-based application poised to revolutionise your financial co-ordination. With a proven track record of fifteen years, Finance Co-ordinator has established itself as a leading solution, and now its successor, MyFundAccounting.Online, steps into the spotlight with an array of impressive features.
Our team have meticulously designed the user experience, with you in mind, to enhance efficiency
and effectiveness in your financial processes. Experience the power of MyFundAccounting first-hand with our free trial. Take advantage of this opportunity to not only explore the features but also import your own data from Finance Co-ordinator, enabling you to test the application with your own information.
The trial period lasts for 30 days, and no credit or debit card details are required. At the end of the trial, should you decide to continue with MyFundAccounting, you can seamlessly sign up and retain the information you have entered, ensuring a smooth transition.
MyGiving – We understand the challenges you face in managing donations effectively while staying true to your mission. That’s why we have developed MyGiving.Online a comprehensive upgrade that goes beyond mere efficiency. With MyGiving.Online, you’ll experience a seamless and intuitive platform that respects the unique needs of your organisation.
But it doesn’t stop there. MyGiving.Online is carefully designed to cultivate a sense of connection
and trust with your donors. Our innovative features empower you to provide a seamless giving
experience, fostering a deeper sense of community and engagement. You’ll be able to strengthen
relationships, express gratitude and keep your supporters informed about the incredible work you’re doing.
Moreover, rest assured that your compliance with HMRC regulations is made simple and stress-free.
Our platform ensures that you effortlessly meet the necessary requirements. Choose MyGiving.Online as your partner in growth, and together, we’ll empower your organisation
to flourish, amplify your impact, and create a brighter future for those you serve.
Experience the power of MyGiving first-hand with our free trial. The trial period lasts for 30 days, and no credit or debit card details are required. At the end of the trial, should you decide to continue with MyGiving, you can seamlessly sign up and retain the information you have entered, ensuring a smooth transition.
MyFoodbank – Say goodbye to overwhelming manual processes and embrace a harmonious workflow that frees up your valuable time and resources. With our user-friendly interface and 24/7 accessibility, you can effortlessly manage the administration of your foodbank from anywhere, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – making a positive impact on the lives you serve.
We have worked with a number of foodbanks to develop our innovative and transformational foodbank administration software to simplify and automate a number of the processes to enable foodbanks to help more people and reduce the stress on volunteers and staff.
if you don’t have a website for your foodbank, that’s no problem our software includes a free website builder, with secure hosting and a free Donate Now button. Simply enter the text, upload a couple of pictures and you’re ready to go
Try our new Foodbank administration software first-hand with our free trial. The trial period lasts for 30 days, and no credit or debit card details are required. At the end of the trial, should you decide to continue with MyFoodbank, you can seamlessly sign up and retain the information you have entered, ensuring a smooth transition.
iKnow Church’s donation module makes it easy to accept one-off and recurring donations as well as claim gift aid. Until the 15th November 2023 ACAT members can get 6 months free (16 months for 10). Either call 0121 651 1125 or mention ACAT when you take out a trial online.
iKnow Church has been developed since 2010 and is created by the UK’s leading Christian Software Company.
It is packed with features for managing admin, communication, pastoral care and donation.
Our Donations module has many features to help church treasurers including:
Other features to help raise money within iKnow Church include:
To try iKnow you can request a 30 day trial at iknowchurch.co.uk or by calling 0121 651 1125 X 1.
Prices start at £20p/m and include technical support.
JustMoney Movement (formerly ECCR) has a vision of a world where money shapes a fairer, greener future. We educate, campaign and advocate, resourcing a movement of Christians and churches to act justly with the money they steward, and to speak out on issues of economic justice and ethical finance. Our online Money Makes Change hub includes a regularly updated analysis of ethical bank account options for churches, plus resources on ethical purchasing and investing.
“Introducing Liberty Accounts: Streamlining Financial Management for Churches and Charities
Managing the finances of churches and charities can be a challenging task. With limited resources and a need for transparency, organisations often struggle to find an accounting solution that meets their unique requirements. That’s where Liberty Accounts comes in.
Liberty Accounts is a cloud-based accounting and payroll software designed to meet the requirements of churches and charities. Our platform offers a range of features that streamline financial management, providing organisations with the tools they need to effectively track and report on their finances.
One of the key benefits of Liberty Accounts is its user-friendly interface. Even for those with limited accounting knowledge, our intuitive software makes it easy to navigate and input financial data.
As important are the features that Liberty Accounts delivers for churches and charities above standard commercial features (including full customer and supplier ledgers where required). These features include:
Fund accounting (restricted, unrestricted etc);
Handling Fund transfers;
Additional cost centre analysis (Activity and Department);
Account terminology as used in the sector;
Integrated donor ledger;
Gift Aid claim preparation and online filing;
Integrated payroll with analysis at organisation or employee level, across Funds/Departments/Activity;
Budgeting by organisation or Fund and/or Activity and/or Department;
Reporting by Funds/Department/Activity;
Reporting of SORP compliant Statement of Financial Activities (I&E or R&P)
Reporting of the Return of Parish Finance for the Anglican Church.
Liberty Accounts simplifies the entire process.
If all of the above sounds daunting then not to worry as Liberty Accounts is customisable to the charity/church requirement i.e. menu options are only shown where the optional features (as well as customer/supplier ledgers) are a requirement for the church/charity. Understanding that individuals within a church/charity often have specific roles the individual users can be assigned a role that could, if appropriate, further restrict the menu options available to them. There is NO additional cost for any extra users.
Transparency is crucial for churches and charities, as donors and stakeholders want to ensure their contributions are being handled responsibly. With Liberty Accounts, organisations can easily generate reports that provide a clear overview of their financial standing. In addition to full fund management the system offers the analysis, reporting and budgeting to funds and/or departments and/or activities of transactions including payroll costs. This not only helps build trust with donors but also ensures compliance with regulatory requirements. Each transaction has a full audit trial to aid the work of the Independent Examiner and/or Auditor.
In addition to its comprehensive features, Liberty Accounts offers the convenience and flexibility of cloud-based technology. Accessible from any device with an internet connection, organisations can securely manage their finances from anywhere at any time.
Furthermore, Liberty Accounts understands the unique financial challenges faced by churches and charities. Our software is tailored to accommodate specific requirements such as fund accounting, gift aid management, Gift Aid Claim submission to HMRC, accounts templates for different faith-based organisations and charities; and reporting of the Return of Parish Finance for Anglican churches. With Liberty Accounts, organisations can rest assured that their financial management needs are met.
In conclusion, Liberty Accounts provides a reliable and user-friendly cloud accounting and payroll solution for churches and charities. Try Liberty Accounts today and experience the difference it can make for your church or charity and/or sign up to any of our free online training courses.”
The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) is an established service for managing Direct Debit and One-Off giving, designed to support churches to fund their mission and ministry.
As a charity whose origins are within the church, we understand that, for every giver, generosity is an act of Christian faith that is deeply personal.
A unique feature of the scheme is the option for givers to commit in principle to increase their gift annually in line with inflation. While this is a voluntary decision, it is one that could potentially have a huge impact on the life and future of the church.
We are committed to easing the administrative burden for churches, while empowering all generations to give with confidence and to feel valued.
Since launching ParishCare in 2015, Trinitas Church Insurance Services has brought Church of England Parishes a bespoke alternative proposition and now provides insurance cover for over 1,300 Parish Churches. With few real alternatives from the traditional markets for church insurance, our ParishCare Policy was designed to provide comparable cover at a more affordable price for many Parishes. If you would like an independent review of your insurance needs and a no obligation quotation please don’t hesitate to send us an email via enquiries@trinitaschurchinsurance.co.uk, give us a call on 01483 462870, or contact us via our website www.trinitaschurchinsurance.com. We would be delighted to hear from you. Trinitas Church Insurance Services is a trading name of Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Spectrum Building, 55 Blythswood Street, Glasgow, G2 7AT. Registered in Scotland. Company Number: SC108909. www.ajg.com/uk
Trinitas Church Insurance Services is a trading name of Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Spectrum Building, 55 Blythswood Street, Glasgow, G2 7AT. Registered in Scotland. Company Number: SC108909. www.ajg.com/uk
Full Membership of ACIE is the only way for people without a relevant accountancy qualification to undertake IE at a higher level (i.e. above £250,000 in England & Wales and Northern Ireland and the examination of accruals accounts in Scotland). Full Membership procedure is the only route available to people wanting to have their work in Independent Examination scrutinised and validated.
Thank you again for attending ACAT 2023 Conference, and we hope to see you soon at our future events!
