Those who attended ACAT’s annual conference in Bristol, either in person or online, were richly rewarded with speakers and workshops which inspired and informed in equal measure. Getting together with others engaged in this ministry of administration is never time wasted.

We will be featuring as many of the issues emanating from the sessions as possible in our weekly posts and following newsletters, sharing the conference content as a means of encouragement to those who were unable to attend.

In his keynote address, Gavin Smith of The Church Office made the point that “Clarity helps people know what matters.”

The articles which we feature in the newsletter aim to do just that: provide clarity to enable us to be effective in the work for the benefit of our churches and members.

We hope that what follows this month continues to do that.

Table of Contents:

• What’s new
  • Taxing homeworking expenses for ministers of religion
  • How robust are your procedures against fraud and financial misappropriation?
  • Is your website affected? PHP vulnerability sparks global concern
  • Guidance on using cryptocurrency
  • How safe is our prayer ministry?
  • Charity Commission update: Safeguarding
  • Enjoying this month’s highlights?
• Points to Ponder
  • The importance of online church services in outreach
  • “My job is to represent hope”
  • Dyslexia Awareness Week
  • Invitation to ‘Come and See’ doubles church attendance
• Partners in Ministry
  • Take the pressure out of your church’s energy bills – Utility Aid
  • Are you looking for a simple festive fundraising idea?
• ACAT Training Programme
• Charities Engagement Team – Upcoming webinars
• Final Thought

God bless,

Ashley Ellis
ACAT Executive Officer

PS: To make sure you don’t miss important updates, please add @acat.uk.com to your safe sender list. Some members have found our emails ending up in spam folders. We’ve put together a simple guide for Outlook, Gmail and other email providers at: https://www.acat.uk.com/make-sure-you-get-acat-emails/

Taxing homeworking expenses for ministers of religion

#Finance & Fundraising, #News, #Encouraged Action

Something all clergy, pastors, and ministers should be aware of.

In response to a question from a Plaid Cymru MP on the subject of tax-deductible homeworking expenses incurred by Ministers of Religion, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General replied that 

“The deduction from income tax for non-reimbursed homeworking expenses was removed in April 2026. This was to address concerns around non-compliance and to ensure fairness across the tax system. Employers can still reimburse employees for their home working expenses where eligible without deducting income tax and National Insurance contributions.”

Taxation is never that simple, and our members are encouraged to ensure that advice is sought, appropriate to their individual employment circumstances, relating to their pastors, ministers, and clergy, if needed.

How robust are your procedures against fraud and financial misappropriation? 

#Charity Governance & Regulation, #News, #Encouraged Action

Despite constant encouragement to maintain appropriately robust procedures to guard against the risk of theft, fraud or misappropriation of church funds, warnings go unheeded.

The latest example from one end of the Church of England spectrum is a former parish treasurer from Buckinghamshire who stole nearly £415,000.

Extensive advice on preventing fraud and misappropriation is readily available. Yet, sadly, it is frequently ignored due to complacency: “it couldn’t happen here.”

However, some basic considerations when reviewing the policies and procedures currently in place (or not) are as follows:

• Recognise and take the financial risks seriously 
• Ensure clear procedures and controls for the handling of cash
• Implement well-defined approval limits for all expenditure items
• Insist on dual authorisation for online payments
• Implement robust accounting controls and established periodic reconciliations
• Ensure regular financial reporting
• Ensure budget accountability and transparency with overspends highlighted
• Periodically communicate the state of church finances to members
• Comprehensive annual external scrutiny, independent examination/audit

Whilst not exhaustive, if taken seriously, these should be effective deterrents. 

When did your governing body last review its policies and procedures? How effective are they likely to be in preventing financial fraud, theft and misappropriation of church funds?

Is your website affected? PHP vulnerability sparks global concern

#Charity Governance & Regulation, #News, #Encouraged Action

You may have seen last week’s global panic around a PHP vulnerability affecting websites worldwide.

This vulnerability is very serious, and those who were/are affected have been advised that if the PHP update that fixes the issue cannot be installed, they would consider taking their websites offline.

Although this may not be an issue directly affecting your role as church treasurer, it is a responsibility of the trustee and should not be ignored.

Contact should be made with whoever is in charge of maintaining your website to obtain confirmation that the fix has been installed.

Guidance on using cryptocurrency

#Finance & Fundraising, #News, #Encouraged Action

Have you thought about cryptocurrency?

The fundraising regulator has published guidance on accepting cryptocurrency and other forms of crypto donations.

The guidance is there to help charities and, in turn, churches make informed decisions about crypto donations.

It outlines what should be considered, looking at the risks, due diligence, and policies.

As the world changes, we as churches need to keep up with that change. We advise you to read the guidance so that you and your church are ready should a crypto donation be offered.

Paul Winyard, Director of Policy at the Fundraising Regulator, has also written a blog about the importance of planning ahead, which might be of interest.

How safe is our prayer ministry?

#Church Life & Community, #News, #Encouraged Action

That prayer is fundamental to faith is an understatement. Prayer ministry in our churches is, or certainly should be, a special, recognised gifting. 

Praying with church members who may be regarded as vulnerable for a variety of reasons requires particular sensitivity. 

The Church of England has issued new guidance, and The Methodist Church also has some helpful guidelines on the subject.

To summarise, the main considerations appear to be:

• Be aware of possible safeguarding issues.
• When praying with someone, ensure that a fellow church member is also present.
• Avoid the ‘saviour syndrome,’ and avoid suggesting solutions.
• Respect and be sensitive to the situation which is presented.
• Help the recipient find a voice for their worries and concerns.
• If the recipient becomes upset, avoid any overt physical contact to comfort them.

All this may appear sterile and prescriptive, inhibiting the spontaneous offer to pray with someone who, in conversation, has shared their problems. 

However, this is an extremely sensitive area pastorally, and care is needed. Unfortunately, history within the Church has shown us this.

Charity Commission update: Safeguarding

#Charity Governance & Regulation, #News, #Encouraged Action

The Charity Commission has updated its advice for charities and trustees on safeguarding and protecting people to reflect changes to some DBS checks introduced in 2026 and the relevant requirements of the Online Safety Act 2023.

This updated guidance emphasises that responsibility for protecting and safeguarding should be a governance priority for all charities and churches.

Governance is a fundamental demonstration of how we fulfil our public benefit charitable purpose. The Charity Commission can hold trustees to account if it believes there have been statutory failings in this respect.

The Commission expects trustees and members of church governing bodies to:

• Have appropriate policies and procedures in place and ensure all trustees, volunteers and beneficiaries follow them.
• Check that people are suitable to act in their various roles within the church.
• Know how to spot and handle concerns in a full and open manner.
• Have a clear system of referring or reporting to relevant agencies as soon as concerns are suspected or identified.
• Set out identified risks and how they will be managed in a risk register which is regularly reviewed.
• Follow safeguarding statutory guidance, good practice guidance and legislation relevant to their charity. This guidance links to the main sources of information.
• Be quick to respond to concerns and carry out appropriate investigations.
• Not ignore harm or downplay failures.
• Have a balanced trustee board that does not let one trustee dominate its work – trustees should work together.
• Ensure that protecting people from harm is central to the charity’s culture.
• Have enough resources, including trained staff/volunteers/trustees for safeguarding and protecting people.
• Conduct periodic reviews of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice.

In these weekly blogs and monthly Newsletters, we continually emphasise the importance of periodically reviewing safeguarding policies and procedures.

It is in the best interests of our mission and ministry that church members and members of our communities who enter our premises for whatever reason feel safe.

The importance of online church services in outreach

#Church Life & Community, #News, #Encouraged Action

The BBC has announced that it needs to find annual cost savings of approximately £500 million.

Among the areas to suffer from these cost savings are local radio and regional TV programmes, with an anticipated loss of some 90 jobs.

As part of these cuts, the BBC will reduce the number of local radio Sunday morning religious programmes from 15 to 6.

It would appear that the importance of these Sunday morning services to those who are housebound and rely on them for much of their spiritual welfare has been ignored.

This, however, emphasises the importance of online religious services for those who, for a variety of reasons, cannot attend church in person.

The development of online ministry, particularly in the post-COVID years, recognises its importance for several reasons.

• Online virtual worship, however limited, works well for many Christians and their personal circumstances. Discipleship, community life, prayer and worship are all strengthened as a result.
• Online ministry has enabled those who, in the past, felt excluded from church and were previously members of church communities before becoming housebound to feel part of a church fellowship again.
• Those who are housebound, together with their carers, can participate in worship and group sessions.
• Online services are ideal for those who are unable to attend in person due to visiting family, hectic working lives, illness or needing family time on Sunday; they can catch up later.
• For some who are wary of joining a church fellowship, this is a way to explore faith gradually until they know more.
• The lives of younger people are arguably dominated by the digital world, so this is a natural way of accessing faith-based services.
• Online services are not geographically limited and enable access for people from across the world.

So, here are the questions for us as we seek to grow our church fellowships.:

• How extensive is our online ministry?
• Do we regard it as an important means of outreach?
• Do we livestream our services?
• Do we offer facilities for prayer groups, Bible study, and discussion sessions online?

It would be extremely valuable to hear from members on this issue.

“My job is to represent hope”

#Faith & Theology in Action, #News, #Encouraged Action

A key sentence in the Prime Minister’s speech to the Labour Conference last week was “Hope comes from honesty and we will have hope again.” He furthermore stated that it was “his job to represent hope.”

From a political perspective, it could be argued that Andy Burnham was simply stating what all politicians aspire to: providing hope in a better future for everyone in the country.

Every five years or so the electorate are subjected to promises of a better future, perhaps following a little financial inconvenience along the way.

Yet isn’t it the fundamental responsibility of our churches not just to represent hope, but to continually be a beacon of hope in our local communities in various practical and spiritual ways?

There is no doubt whatsoever that, with so many people feeling hopeless due to global uncertainties, financial hardship, chronic health issues, among other factors, hope can appear to be in short supply.

So do the people in our local communities see us as “representing hope” and exploring what it means to “have hope again”?

Dyslexia Awareness Week

#Church Life & Community, #News, #Encouraged Action

The beginning of October saw Dyslexia Awareness Week, highlighted particularly by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was diagnosed with dyslexia as a teenager.

There may well be many in our congregations who are dyslexic, but who we are unaware of and who perhaps suffer in silence.

So, the question is, as church fellowships aiming to be disability friendly, how sensitive are we to the needs of those who have dyslexia?

A few considerations

• In our children’s work, how aware is the leadership of children and young people who have difficulties in communicating?
• Are we sensitive to older church members who appear reluctant to read, speak or engage in discussion groups?
• When creating church-designed written material for worship, do we consider the font size, design, or layout?
• Are our digital communications, websites, and information sheets kept short, to the point and in clear, uncomplicated language?
• Do we use dyslexia-friendly Bibles and other similar worship-related material?

It is very easy to overlook those of our church members whose disabilities are perhaps not readily apparent. We would recommend talking with members of your congregation about which resources and adaptations would be most useful to them.

If we are to be truly inclusive and welcoming to all, irrespective of their disability, awareness and sensitivity combined with practical responses in support are fundamental.

Invitation to ‘Come and See’ doubles church attendance

#Church life & Community, #News, #Encouraged Action

Inviting our non-churchgoing friends and neighbours to “sample” what our church has to offer is not the easiest or most natural thing to do unless a direct opportunity arises.

An interesting approach by the vicar of Christ Church, Flackwell Heath, Buckinghamshire, is well worth noting.

He recently challenged his congregation, using simple invitation cards easy to share with family and friends, encouraging them to ‘come and see’.

This resulted in the church congregation subsequently welcoming 75 non-churchgoing people to a service.

This initiative was part of a programme to encourage church members to be more courageous in speaking about their faith and church life, and to invite folk to come along and see what happens.

This example throws up the question: how do we invite those we know – family and friends, non-churchgoers – to think about joining us, sampling what our church has to offer?

It would be interesting and helpful for members to share how their churches engage with this issue.

Take the pressure out of your church’s energy bills – Utility Aid

Managing energy costs can be a challenge for churches, particularly when budgets are tight, and energy prices remain uncertain. Utility Aid helps churches and other charities take control of their energy costs, with expert support across energy procurement, bill checking and energy management.

One way churches can make their energy budgets work harder is through collective purchasing. Utility Aid’s National Charity Tender (NCT) brings organisations together to use their combined purchasing power to secure competitive energy prices, stronger contractual protections and greater certainty over future costs.

The latest NCT framework has been extended into a fourth year, giving participating organisations an additional year of fixed pricing and helping treasurers budget with greater confidence.

There’s also a wider benefit: for every charity meter registered through the NCT, the energy supplier donates £10 to the Utility Aid Foundation, matched by Utility Aid to fund charitable and community projects across the UK.

Churches can join the next National Charity Tender or speak to Utility Aid about their current energy contracts, bills and options for reducing costs. Find out more by emailing partnerships@utility-aid.co.uk.

 Are you looking for a simple festive fundraising idea?

Did you know 70% of shoppers will do their Christmas shopping online this year? And did you know this shopping can easily turn into funding for your church? 8,000 popular online shops including eBay, Argos, John Lewis, Currys, Etsy, M&S, Boots, Waterstones and Moonpig will donate money whenever your parishioners shop with them. To take advantage of this festive fundraising idea, register your church with funding website easyfundraising here: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/acat

Join Kingdom Bank’s Property Services Lead, Jon Broome, for a free webinar

How to avoid costly church property mistakes.
Spot pitfalls early and make effective decisions.

This webinar is designed to help you:

• Avoid costly mistakes.
• Make wise, mission-focused property decisions.
• Move forward with confidence, taking your congregation with you.

About Jon Broome – Kingdom Bank Property Services Lead

Jon joined Kingdom Bank in July 2024 to develop the property consultancy service. He has 35 years’ experience in commercial property advisory work with occupiers and investors across the UK, specifically in the office and warehousing sectors. He is passionate about using his transferable skills as a Chartered Surveyor to support church leaders make property work for their mission. Jon helps lead a growing evangelical church in Sussex and is trustee of a charity that provides trustee services to churches, including property support.

Whether you’re exploring your options or preparing to launch a church property project, this webinar will give you practical insights into the common challenges faced by churches, and how to overcome them.

Date: 4 November 2026, 12:15pm

• Gift Aid: Maximising the benefits and reducing the pitfalls
  • Date: Thursday 5 November
  • Time: 7 PM – 9 PM
• Budgets and Planning: Principles, Purpose and Practicalities
  • Date: Thursday 12 November
  • Time: 7 PM – 9 PM
• Being a Treasurer: The Basics (3-session course)
  • Date: Monday 16, 23, 30 November
  • Time: 7 PM – 9 PM
• Being a Treasurer: The Basics (in-person event)
  • Date: Saturday 21 November
  • Time: 10 AM – 4 PM
  • Location: Horsham
• How to account for church receipts and payments: Problems and Pitfalls
  • Date: Wednesday 25 November
  • Time: 7 PM – 8 PM
• How to account for church income and expenditure: Problems and Pitfalls
  • Date: Thursday 3 December
  • Time: 7 PM – 8 PM

If you have any questions about our training, please contact Cath Fox.

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 November are open for bookings.

Did you know?

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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.