The finance group is responsible for:

• Setting the Presbytery Budget
• Maintaining sound financial records
• Producing Presbytery year end accounts
• They support treasurers in all aspects of congregational finance
• Attesting final year accounts for OSCR reporting
• Helping Congregations understand their Giving2Grow assessments

Covener:  Rev Professor Lesley Stanley

Committee Remit:

Financial Oversight

➢ Exercise oversight of Presbytery finances.

➢ Manage the Presbytery’s investments and trust funds.

➢ Review and make recommendations to the Business Committee regarding approval by Presbytery of congregational applications for Presbytery Funds and, where necessary, external funds.

➢ Monitor congregational Giving to Grow contributions.

➢ Engage with the General Treasurer of the Church of Scotland, the Business Committee and the Planning Committee in regard to legislation in the Presbytery Mission Plan Act (Act 8, 2021) on Insolvent Congregations.

• Stewardship

➢ Support the Finance Officer (FO) in informing and encouraging congregations in all aspects of Stewardship to include, for example:

▪ Using material provided by the national Stewardship and Finance department

▪ Co-ordinating assistance by the national Stewardship Consultants

➢ Promote stewardship by encouraging generous giving of time, talent, and money in all congregations.

• Strategy

➢ Develop a strategy to grow income and ensure Presbytery’s financial sustainability.

➢ Mitigate financial risks by identifying and monitoring appropriate control measures.

• Budget

➢ Support the FO in producing the draft Presbytery Budget and draft Congregational Assessments (Dues).

➢ Review draft Budget and Congregational Assessments and present to the Business Committee in time for submission for approval at the end of year Presbytery meeting.

• Presbytery Accounts

➢ Review the Annual Report and Accounts and make appropriate recommendations to the Business Committee to allow timely submission to Presbytery.

• Congregational Accounts and Attestation

➢ Identify a pool of independent examiners and auditors that congregations may call on as required.

➢ Via a subcommittee, ensure annual inspection of Congregational Accounts in accordance with the regulations of the General Assembly concerning congregational finance and the requirements of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

➢ Advise the FO of any issues arising from the inspection of Congregational Accounts so that congregations may be given appropriate assistance.

• Dissemination of Financial Information

➢ Where necessary, provide financial information to Presbytery Committees.

• Training and Support

➢ Support the work of the FO.

➢ Provide training and support for Congregational Finance Committees and Treasurers, as required, to include ways of helping congregations develop strategies to grow their incomes and ensure financial sustainability.

➢ Create and maintain a database of external grant funding available to congregations.