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Administration and Finance Policy Group - December 2004 News

<typohead type="2">Greetings from the Administration and Finance Policy Group</typohead>

Welcome to the first newsletter from the new-look Administration and Finance Policy (A&F) Group formed at the September 2004 General Assembly.  This newsletter is the one of the steps we are taking to keep the wider church better informed about the work of our policy group.  We will be publishing updates throughout the year on the church’s website, and are looking at other ways we can keep you all up to date.  We also invite you to view the monthly newsletter from Assembly Office’s Finance Team which has more detailed information about the church’s finance matters.

In the meantime, please take the time to read this summary from A&F’s last meeting.

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General Assembly accounts

Management accounts

Parish Debtors

Assembly Assessment

Budget 2005/06

Insurance

Proposed legislation

Policy Group review task group

Meeting schedule

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<typohead type="3">General Assembly Accounts: </typohead>

The audit of 2003/04 General Assembly Accounts was completed (although there were some delays), and an information pack about the accounts with some explanatory comments was distributed throughout the Church in November.   

<typohead type="3">Management accounts: </typohead>

A&F was provided with General Assembly’s Statement of Financial Performance to 31 October 2004.  These accounts are the first statement of year-to-date results to be produced with the new computer software. While the production of the accounts was a major step forward, further work will be required to achieve the reporting standards targeted.  A cashflow statement is expected to be available in December.    

While A&F recognises the finance system is a good product, it needs staff knowledge and effective set up to maximise usefulness. Assembly Office Finance team members are receiving additional training in system functionality. See the December Finance Team newsletter for an update on the format of parish accounts. 

A monitoring group, the Finance Support Group, was set up in mid-2004 by the Council of Assembly to support progress in financial matters. It was agreed that long-standing issues relating to financial management need a team effort to overcome, and enhanced communication between the various groups is necessary. The Support Group will continue to provide guidance and advice to Assembly Office’s Finance Team where necessary.

<typohead type="3">Parish Debtors: </typohead>

A broad approach to resolving outstanding issues and facilitating payment was endorsed:  A&F and the Finance Team will work with presbyteries to understand issues and work toward a resolution.  It was agreed that a Parish Debtor Task Group be established.  As a pilot study the task group will focus on Auckland and South Auckland parishes.

A Debtors Clerk has been appointed, and a program of contacts is underway.  A parish debtor schedule is being provided to presbyteries each quarter, and negotiations with parishes will be conducted with presbytery involvement.

It was agreed Assembly Office’s Finance team would report progress and results to A&F on a monthly basis.

<typohead type="3">Assembly Assessment:</typohead>

It is recognised there were anomalies in the way Assembly Assessment had impacted a number of parishes, but rather than take an ad hoc approach, A&F preferred a thorough analysis that would lead to a consistent and fair approach. 

It was agreed that an Assembly Assessment task group be formed.  The task group is to analyse the impact of Assembly Assessment and recommend an appropriate response to any anomalies. The group also agreed that a response should be sent to all parishes that had raised concerns about their assessment, advising them of this review.

<typohead type="3">General Assembly Budget 2005/06:</typohead>

The budget timetable was discussed, with information from each Policy Group due to A&F in February.  Council consultation with presbyteries (likely to occur in March/April 2005) will be relevant to the budget process.  

<typohead type="3">Insurance: </typohead>

It was agreed the Insurance Fund be a joint venture with four partners: Church Property Trustees, Presbyterian Support, Presbyterian Schools, and the General Assembly. The intention is that any surplus be used to reduce premiums. Consultation with the contributing parties is continuing.

<typohead type="3">Proposed legislation:</typohead>

The Assembly Executive Secretary reported that there are amendments to the Financial Reporting Act and the new Charities Bill which may impact the Church.  A&F will continue to monitor and will report on path of this legislation.

<typohead type="3">Meetings 2005:</typohead>

The Administration and Finance Policy Group has regular teleconferences and co-conveners are in contact with Assembly Office’s Finance Team on a weekly basis. We plan to meet four times next year, and these dates are noted below for your reference.  Watch out for updates about our work after these meetings.

Saturday, 19 February
Saturday, 21 May
Saturday, 23 July

Bill which may impact the Church.  A&F will continue to monitor and will report on path of this legislation.

John Trainer
Co-Convener

Ian Watson
Co-Converner