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1. 2004/05 half-year accounts

We have nearly concluded the half-year General Assembly accounts. Historically such accounts have only been produced annually. This new approach is intended to provide better quality financial information and aid decision-making. We have had a few challenges in this exercise. A&F Policy Group will be reviewing the accounts at their meeting on 19 February. We are seeking to improve our operational practices to improve the performance of the Finance team.

2. June 2004 outstanding statistics

There has been some good progress in this area but there are still 40 parishes that have yet to provide June 2004 statistics. We have again advised presbytery clerks where the outstanding data resides. We are keen to complete this task in the near future, as it is key data that will allow us to prepare for 2005/06 Assembly Assessment. Having correct data reduces rework and errors.

3. Payments made to our bank account with inadequate identification

We do receive payments onto our bank account that lack details for us to identify who was making the payment. The only option available to us is to go to the bank and ask them to provide us with the details. They charge $25 each time, which is a waste of money and inefficient.

When making direct payments please ensure that there is identification, such as a current POI number and what the money is for, relating to the transaction.

4. Assembly Assessment

There have been quite a few initiatives to make the Church aware of the shortfall in the payment of Assembly Assessment. At the end of December, there was almost a $500,000 shortfall. There has been communication with Council of Assembly members, presbytery clerks, session clerks and ministers. We did make an error with the December data when sorting parishes that were up to date and those that were not, by omitting a batch of December payments. We have apologised for that error.

Financial results as at the end of January 2005 show 82 percent of the amount invoiced from July 2004 (seven months) has been paid. The amount of Assembly Assessment unpaid is $468,000. There is an urgent need to get much closer to 100 percent. By way of example, we have to borrow funds to pay parish contributions to the beneficiary fund.

We appreciate and thank those parishes that are up to date with their Assembly Assessment invoices.

5. Outlook for the first half of 2005

There are a number of key matters we will be working on through to June:

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Agreeing the interim audit arrangements

Planning for the financial year end

Preparing for 2005/06 Assembly Assessment

Looking at efficiency improvements by using direct debit arrangements

Completing the 2005/06 budget

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Reminder to send your queries, action requests and complaints to FSD(at)presbyterian.org.nz

We have set up a system to track queries, action requests and complaints and the level of responsiveness to these items. If you were previously sending items to personal email addresses, then I would ask you use the above email address.


Andrew Jackson
Assistance to AES (Finance)