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1. 2004/05 half-year accounts and the A& F policy group meeting

The half-year General Assembly accounts were considered by the A&F policy group meeting on 19 February. There was concern about the half-year deficit and the forecast outlook for the year to June 2005. The underpayment of Assembly Assessment was another significant matter of concern and its impact on cash flow.

Please see the A&F newsletter at http://www.presbyterian.org.nz/?id=3306
for more details.

There was discussion about the budget parameters for 2005/06 and what options may exist to determine the shape of the budget.

2. Payment of overdue accounts

A number of overdue accounts have been paid. This week one parish made a payment in excess of $50,000 to clear their account. The largest 15 accounts owe in excess of $530,000. There are a number of initiatives in place to encourage the payment of overdue accounts.

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

3. Seniority allowance

The preparation work to make this annual payment has commenced and we are planning for the payment to be made before the end of March. There are more than 200 ministers entitled to this payment.

4. Insurance claims

Consider this extract of an email between a parish and the insurer: “Counting of offerings immediately after the service is the instruction in the Treasurer's handbook. Unless it is followed, how ever will you be able to prove the amount of any money loss? I have just this week had to deal with this very situation in another parish. They have suffered a burglary/theft and have no idea as to how much money had been taken. In consequence they are unable to make an insurance claim.”

It is important to follow the advice given in the Treasurer’s handbook.

5. Other matters

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We have met with our auditors and they will commence the interim audit in April.

A number of parishes have shifted onto a direct debit arrangements for Assembly Assessment. This is cost effective for both parties.

There are still approximately 40 parishes that have yet to provide June 2004 statistics.

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 A reminder to send your email 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. We have received some email bouquets, which is encouraging.


Andrew Jackson
Assistance to AES (Finance)