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ACAT’s Training Newsletter
June 2025
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Hi Guest,
As we head into June, we look to Pentecost this Sunday, an important opportunity to remember the Holy Spirit’s presence, guidance and renewal in our lives and ministries.
Holy Spirit, living Breath of God, Breathe new life into my willing soul. (Holy Spirit Living Breath of God, Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend)
This month, we have a range of practical training sessions to support you in your role. Whether you’re a new treasurer, supporting a church finance team or exploring trusteeship, we hope you’ll find something that fits. You can find the full programme below and on our website.
A few highlights this June:
- Being a Treasurer: The Basics – a three part course starting Tuesday 10 June. Bookings for Session 1 close on Monday so don’t delay in booking!
- Keeping Simple Church Accounts – a Saturday session on 14 June perfect for those working with receipts and payments accounts.
- Risk and Health and Safety Management – a three week series starting Saturday 28 June ideal for trustees and anyone overseeing building or event safety.
Looking ahead we’re also excited about the ACAT Conference 2025 on Saturday 1st November in Manchester. As with previous years we are also offering a livestream option so you can join us wherever you are. It’s a great opportunity to connect, learn and be encouraged in the ministry of church finance and governance.
Thanks for all you do in your church. As Pentecost approaches may the Spirit bring fresh wisdom and strength for the season ahead.
God bless, Cath Fox
Administration Officer (Training)
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Summer Training Programme
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Being a Treasurer: The Basics
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3 session course
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Date: Tuesday 10, 17, 24 June
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Are you looking for a guide through the minefield that is being a church treasurer?
Navigate the complexities of being a church treasurer with confidence through our comprehensive three-session course covering legal duties, financial processes, budgeting, gift aid, and more – all presented by experienced trainers in a live Zoom webinar setting tailored for both new and seasoned treasurers.
Who is it for?
This course is designed for all those who are church treasurers whether new to the role or just needing a refresher. It is also for those who support church treasurers and would like to know what is involved.
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Keeping Simple Church Accounts
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Looking for a straightforward introduction to keeping simple church accounts?
Learn the essentials of Receipts and Payments accounting, legal requirements, and internal reporting to grow your confidence in managing church finances.
Who is it for?
This course is designed for church/charity treasurers operating simple Receipts and Payments accounting as well as anyone involved in bookkeeping these accounts. Interested trustees and finance managers are also welcome.
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Risk and Health and Safety Management
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3 session course
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Date: Saturday 28 June 5, 12 July
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How safe is your church? How confident are you that you are meeting your health and safety legal duties? Do you need help working out how safe is safe enough?
The online course is split into 3 sessions, each 2 hours long and is run as a zoom webinar or meeting depending on numbers.
Who is it for?
This course is for all those with responsibility for risk, health and safety in their church context, and is particularly recommended for all trustees, leaders and those in operations or administrative roles.
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The Church Treasurer: Insights into the role and responsibilities
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So you’ve been asked to be treasurer – where do you go to get a real insight into the role, what are you saying yes to?
Gain essential insights and confidence for your role as a church treasurer with practical tips from experienced trainer Robert Scott-Biggs.
Who is it for?
This course is designed for church treasurers new to the job, trustees looking for a new treasurer and those who have been asked to take on the role of church treasurer.
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Gift Aid: Maximising the benefits and reducing the pitfalls
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Are you adding to your church income by making the most of the tax relief from the donations your church receives?
This course provides a clear understanding of Gift Aid and the small donations scheme (GASDS), covering legal requirements, donor definitions, and essential record-keeping.
Who is it for?
This course is designed for church treasurers, trustees, finance managers, and anyone involved in gift aid management and submissions.
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Introduction to being a Church Trustee: Some things to think about
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So you’ve been asked to be part of your church governing body – what do you need to know before saying yes?
This course provides insight for those considering joining their church’s governing body, exploring the role’s responsibilities, eligibility, and its biblical context.
Who is it for?
This course is designed for anyone who has been asked, or is considering offering, to be part of the governing body of your church, PCC etc. Also those who are looking for potential future trustees for their church governing body.
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Meet the Funder: easyfundraising. Free unrestricted funding for your church
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Date: Thursday 25 September
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We are offering a FREE webinar in conjunction with easyfundraising.
Wanting to access a new funding stream for your church?
easyfundraising is a free to use fundraising platform which your church can use to receive unrestricted funding on an ongoing basis. We want to help your church access this exciting opportunity to grow your churches finances.
easyfundraising’s Church Fundraising Manager Becky Coleman will:
- Explain and demonstrate how it works
- Show you how to get started
- Show you how to make the most of it
- Answer all your questions
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Date: Saturday 1 November
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We’re pleased to share that this year’s ACAT Conference and AGM will take place on Saturday 1st November 2025 at Diocese of Manchester, St John’s House, 155–163 The Rock, Bury, BL9 0ND.
Our aim is simple: to gather, learn, and be encouraged in the ministry of church finance and governance. Whether you’re a seasoned treasurer, newly appointed trustee, or someone who quietly ensures the books balance each month—this day is for you.
Who is it for?
If you’re involved in your church in any way with finance, operations or governance, this is for you. Whether you’re part of a small chapel or a city centre church, you’ll find something here for you.
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Charities Engagement Team – Upcoming webinars
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The Charity Commission for England and Wales registers and regulates charities to ensure that the public can support charities with confidence. Through regular events, the Charities Engagement Team supports trustees and charity leaders to manage their charities effectively.
Safeguarding in a Faith Charity Context – Charity Commission Expectations Tuesday, 10 June 9am – 12:30pm In-person – waiting list only
Charity Commission’s expectations and the role of mediation Thursday, 26 June 12pm – 1pm
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To ensure our courses start promptly, bookings close 24 hours before online sessions begin. To help with this please do get your bookings in in good time.
If you have any trouble booking please do get in touch with Cath on training@acat.uk.com.
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If you have previously taken one of our courses, and you have a spare 5 minutes, we would greatly appreciate you leaving us your feedback; any feedback helps us to continue to develop and enhance the training we currently offer as well as new courses in the future.
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Did you know?
You can not only manage your own newsletter subscription, but also update your details directly from your profile page. Just click your name in the top right corner after logging in to the website.
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Thank you for your support.
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That’s it for our training newsletter for June. As a brief reminder, the bookings for our online courses generally close 24 hours prior to their start date, and several days before our in-person events. Don’t forget to visit our website and follow us on social media to keep up to date with ACAT’s latest news, events and courses.
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Charity no. 1072733 Registered address: Association of Church Accountants and Treasurers, C/O KM Accountants, 1st Floor, Block C, The Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG.
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