ACAT is simplifying its corporate structure and becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
We are offering a Question-and-Answer session to explain why ACAT is doing this, how it will differ from our existing corporate structure, and what the benefits to ACAT are.
Please join us if you have any questions about the process ACAT will be going through.
All are welcome.
Please book your free place so that we can send you the link to join.
ACAT is delighted to announce that places can now be booked on our first ever online training sessions.
Our popular Being a Treasurer: The Basics will become the first course to be available via webinar from September 12.
Limited places are now available and treasurers are asked to book times and dates convenient for them at the earliest opportunity.
ACAT has split the course – which is equally relevant to new and experienced treasurers – into three two hour-long sessions.
We’re advising treasurers to book all three sessions to ensure that they’re appraised of the entire course.
Each session – costing just £10 – will be led by ACAT’s highly experienced trainer, Manny Kemp.
The first Being a Treasurer: The Basics session will cover charity law and the role of trustees and the bookkeeping and finance processes in a church.
This first session be available on:
Saturday, September 12 – between 10am and 12noon
Saturday, September 12 – between 2pm and 4pm
Tuesday, September 15 – between 6pm and 8pm
The second Being a Treasurer: The Basics session will cover the topics of budgeting, risk and Gift Aid.
Delegates will learn about the planning activities of budgeting and risk management, and Gift Aid and other tax subjects
The second session will be available on:
Saturday, September 19 – between 10am and 12noon
Saturday, September 19 – between 2pm and 4pm
Tuesday, September 22 – between 6pm and 8pm
The third Being a Treasurer: The Basics session will delve into the topic of year-end reporting.
It will cover the year-end reporting and independent examination routines required by law.
This third session will take place on:
Saturday, September 26 – between 10am and 12noon
Saturday, September 26 – between 2pm and 4pm
Tuesday, September 29 – between 6pm and 8pm
ACAT Executive Officer Ashley Ellis said: “We’ve listened to feedback from ACAT members and are now launching our Basics course online for the first time.
“It will enable church treasurers to train in the comfort of their own home or office regardless of where they live in the country.
“Once a booking has been made, a member of ACAT’s team will be in touch with details of how to log-in.”
The training will be provided by Zoom.
If delegates 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.
Ashley adds: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Manny Kemp for his outstanding work developing these sessions in conjunction with ACAT’s team.
“We hope to launch even more online courses in the near future.”
To book a session either click on the dates above or go to ACAT’s training page here.
ACAT is urging church treasurers to book places for our 2020 Virtual Conference “at the earliest opportunity” to avoid disappointment following the great success of our first online courses.
These online courses are now practically fully booked – a little over a fortnight after they were launched.
ACAT’s Executive Officer Ashley Ellis is calling on members to book places on those webinars that form part of this year’s conference, entitled: “The Challenge of Change – Securing Your Church’s Financial Future” as early as possible due to limited spaces being available.
The event will take place entirely online between Monday, October 5, and Thursday, October 15.
Ashley explained: “The entire ACAT team has been absolutely delighted that so many of you have booked a place on our first ever online training courses.
“We’re now asking you to book your places at this year’s virtual conference at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment, as we’re only able to make limited places available.
“We’ve arranged for a host of truly outstanding speakers from the worlds of faith, finance, law and digital to lend church treasurers their expertise – and we don’t want you to miss out.”
The events which form part of this year’s conference are:
Monday, October 5, 2020 at 7.30pm – The Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (ECCR): “Money Makes Change – How do we connect our faith and finances to create a fairer, more sustainable world?“ Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 7.30pm – Diocese of York Generous Giving Team: “Communication – Top Tips for Encouraging Generosity.” Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 7.30pm – The Association of Charity Independent Examiners (ACIE): “Independent Examination – The Independent Examiner Calls” Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 4pm – easyfundraising: “A guide to generating free income online using easyfundraising” Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 7.30pm – Giving in Grace: “The Heart and the How of a Stewardship Programme” Monday, October 12, 2020 at 7.30pm – CCLA: “Investing, before during and after a pandemic – CCLA’s Response to Covid-19” Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 7.30pm – The Charity Commission: “Treasurers – Making a Difference“ Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 7.30pm – Data Developments: “Re-defining accounts and giving in a digital world” Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 4pm – Creative Stream: “WWW: Which Websites Work – A snapshot of what works for Churches today“ Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 7.30pm – Anthony Collins: “Employment Law, the Treasurer and the post-pandemic environment“ To discover more – or to book places – please click on the above links. Alternatively, if you wish to book all 10 webinars at the reduced price of £75 please click here.ACAT is truly delighted that CCLA has returned as our headline sponsor for this year’s conference. CCLA is the UK’s leading fund manager for Christian churches and charities with 60 years’ experience providing competitive and attractive investment management services.”
THE Charity Commission has issued new guidance for churches and their trustees regarding the Ukraine humanitarian crisis.
The commission states that: “Many charities are already raising funds and have launched appeals.
“Our guidance about emergency appeals explains how your charity can help when responding to an emergency.”
It includes advice about collaborating with other charities and managing risks when planning an appeal.
The Chaity Commission has tailored its guidance to answer the most commonly asked questions.
Topics include:
For more information click HERE.
SEVERAL chapters of ACAT’s handbook have been updated to ensure that church treasurers of all denominations remain fully briefed.
The handbook is written to provide guidance for treasurers and others concerned with the financial and legislative affairs of their church, on a wide range of financial matters.
The updating has been overseen by ACAT’s Treasurer Greyham Dawes.
The new chapters include:
– Chapter Six: Basic Accruals Accounts
– Chapter Nine: Reserves
– Chapter Ten: Annual Report
– Chapter Eleven: Independent Examination
– Chapter Twenty Five: Charities in Scotland
ACAT Executive Officer Ashley Ellis said: “We recognise that our Handbook is a truly essential resource for members and we’re constantly checking to ensure that it is as up to date as possible.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Greyham for his outstanding work on this project.
“Earlier this year, we also worked with data protection specialist Kate Grimley Evans to update Chapter 21 on Data Protection.
“We will always let you know when these updates occur.”
The Handbook section on ACAT’s website – which is only accessible to members – can be accessed by clicking HERE.
On 31 October 2022, the first set of changes introduced by the Charities Act 2022 came into force, introducing a range of provisions, including new powers for trustees.
These provisions include:
Other provisions of the Act now in force:
More detailed information on these changes can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charities-act-2022-guidance-for-charities
The next set of provisions are expected to come into force in Spring 2023.
You can read more about the Charities Act 2022: implementation plan here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charities-act-2022-implementation-plan.
Our partner CAF bank has also produced a Top 10 changes article about the practical implications for your charity. https://www.cafonline.org/about-us/blog-home/the-charities-act-2022-what-are-the-practical-implications-for-your-charity
And Bates Wells has produced this article highlighting the changes and what you should be doing in preparation: https://bateswells.co.uk/updates/charities-act-2022-when-will-the-new-provisions-come-into-force-and-what-should-you-be-doing-in-preparation/#:~:text=The%20range%20of%20helpful%20provisions,into%20force%20in%20Autumn%202023.
