Being a Treasurer: The Basics – Session 2: Budgeting, Risk and Gift Aid

Thu 18 Jun 2026

7 PM - 9 PM Virtual on zoom

£20pp

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.

Session two is entitled: "Budgeting, Risk and Gift Aid" and covers the following topics:

  • Treasurer as Planner: Budgeting; Risk Management
  • Treasurer as Optimiser: Gift Aid; GASDS; VAT

Please note: this is the second session in a series of three. ACAT strongly advises delegates to book sessions 1, 2 and 3 to ensure that they're appraised of the entire course.

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.

Why take the course: As a church treasurer, this course will equip you, whether you are a new or an experience treasurer, with the core knowledge needed to carry out your role.

What will be achieved: By the end of this course (all three sessions), you will have been introduced to, and explored, the legal duties of trustees, day to day finance processes, budgeting and planning, gift aid and tax and year end reporting. You will be signposted to helpful resources and you will have had the opportunity to ask questions relevant to your context and about the areas covered.

Other information: The course comprises practical and theoretical information, insights and guidance on many aspects of the role of church treasurer. It is delivered by knowledgeable and experienced trainers, who have firsthand experience as church treasurers. They can answer your questions and concerns, enabling you to manage your church finances with greater confidence.

The online course is split into 3 sessions, each 2 hours long and is run as a zoom webinar.

Session 1 covers topics such as the Treasurer as a trustee, Churches as Charities, Treasurer as bookkeeper, managing finance operations, Keeping accounting records and more.

Session 2 covers topics such as budgeting, risk management, Gift Aid and VAT.

Session 3 covers topics such as Annual report, financial statements and independent examination.

FAQ:

The course is typically delivered through a live Zoom webinar. You'll have the opportunity to interact with the speakers and get answers to your specific questions. Each delegate will be sent pre-course materials in advance of the sessions.

No prior knowledge is required. This course is designed to accommodate individuals with various levels of knowledge of church finance. It may be helpful to have some knowledge of the financial arrangements and processes in your own context.

Reviews:

Course information

Please note: This is the second of three sessions that form ACAT’s  online “Basics” course.

The training will be provided by Zoom.  If you don’t have an existing Zoom account, you will be prompted to download the free software once you’ve clicked on the link that we’ll provide you with.

After paying for your place, a member of the ACAT team will be in touch with full joining details.

Course Leaders

Peter Young

Peter Young

Peter has had a variety of treasurer, finance and admin roles over the years. From 2003 to 2015, he had a good grounding in church finance as treasurer of a large town-centre Baptist church.

Having taken early retirement from the role of statistician for an insurance company, Peter was appointed Finance Officer of a ministerial training college. He moved back to the north-east in 2016 and was subsequently appointed Finance Officer for a large city-centre evangelical independent church.

For the last five years (2021 to 2026), Peter has supported the ACAT Helpline; the role included updating the online handbook and FAQ. Whilst Peter has retired from this role, he continues to serve as bookkeeper for the Baptist church which he attends.

He is keen to pass his knowledge to help others be more effective in their role and looks forward to helping with training courses.

Samantha Amsden

Samantha Amsden

Samantha is a Finance Resources Co-ordinator for the Diocese of Durham.

She has extensive experience working as an internal auditor as well as having been a church treasurer.
At the Diocese of Durham, Samantha supports treasurers and PCCs with resources and training to help ensure that all churches can flourish.