ACAT’s Training Newsletter

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.

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.

Thinking of embarking on a project and wondering where the resources will come from? This may help.

ACAT’s Generating Income & Grant Applications course is for those who are looking to source funding for their church or for a church project.

It has been designed to provide delegates with the skills and confidence required to identify potential sources of funding before successfully applying for it.

Who is it for?

This course is designed for anyone who is involved in raising funds for church-based projects whether that be building or outreach projects. Treasurers, trustees, volunteers etc.

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.

Trustees are those who care, control and manage your church as a charity – what does that mean?

ACAT’s Trustee Training for Churches course has been designed to equip trustees with the skills they need to meet their legal and moral obligations to manage their churches well.

This is a two-session course, and we highly recommend that you attend both sessions if at all possible.

Who is it for?

This course is designed for all those who are involved in the care, control and management of your church as a charity including PCC members, elders, treasurers etc. Any and all trustees and potential trustees.

Are you grappling with the new changes presented by the introduction of the new SORP?

With the new SORP being released last year, many churches are scratching their heads, wondering just what it all means in the real world, and how it’s going to affect the way they have to do their financial reporting. We’ve put together this introductory course to give you a clear idea of what the new SORP means for you and your church. The course explains the key changes in a clear, practical way, helping you approach them with confidence and peace of mind. As our course leads put it, “It’s not as complicated as it appears.”

Who is it for?

For all those involved in preparing their church’s accounts on an accruals basis and those wishing to understand the changes the new SORP brings.

Please note that this is a repeat of the course held in February 2026, but will incorporate any updates available.

Are you adding to your church income by making the most of the tax relief from the donations your church receives?

This course is a guide for churches on how to correctly reclaim as much Gift Aid as possible, including what donations can (and cannot) be Gift Aided, and the records that need to be kept.

Who is it for?

This course is designed for church treasurers, trustees, finance managers, and anyone involved in gift aid management and submissions.

Is your church prepared for the digital risks that come with modern ministry?

As churches increasingly rely on online tools for communication, finance, and data management, it’s vital to understand how to protect your church from cyber threats. This course provides practical, easy-to-understand guidance on how to safeguard your church’s digital assets—from websites and emails to sensitive financial and personal information.

This course was previously called ‘Computer Security for Churches – Protecting Your Digital Ministry‘.

To allow time for questions, the course can occasionally run over the advertised 1-hour length.

Who is it for?

This course is designed for church trustees, PCC members, administrators managing digital records, and any staff or volunteers involved in church finance, communication, or IT.

We’re pleased to confirm that this year’s ACAT Conference and AGM will take place on Saturday 17 October 2026 at St Michael’s Centre, The Green, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8PD.

The conference offers a chance for church treasurers and trustees to meet together in a day of discussion, encouragement and knowledge. The roles of finance and governance in a church are of utmost importance and carry with them a real responsibility, and I’m sure for some it can feel like a very lonely role. We run the conference to be a place where people who understand these challenges can come together, sharing in their experience and offering practical advice to one another.

It doesn’t matter if you’re serving for the first time or have been going for what seems like forever; the conference will be a place of fellowship and guidance, bringing together members from all across the UK and all across Christian denominations and organisations.

Tickets this year are £25 and, as ever, we encourage you to invite others from your church and those around you to come along together. I have no doubt that anyone engaged in finance, administration or governance within the church will benefit.

If travelling isn’t an option for you, we also have a live stream option. Those attending online can only follow the main sessions, and only those attending in person can vote at the 2026 ACAT AGM.

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.

Courses for May, June and July are open for bookings.

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.

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.

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.