Finance and Stewardship Committee 

Presbytery of Perth

Finance and Stewardship Committee Remit

Financial Oversight

Ø  Exercise oversight of Presbytery finances.

Ø  Manage the Presbytery’s investments and trust funds.

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

Ø  Monitor congregational Giving to Grow contributions.

Stewardship

Ø  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

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

Strategy

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

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

Budget

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

Ø  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

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

Congregational Accounts and Attestation

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

Ø  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.  

Ø  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

Ø  Where necessary, provide financial information to Presbytery Committees.

Training and Support

Ø  Support the work of the FO.

Ø  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.

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