PCC Accounts & Returns

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2024 Year-end Reporting

As in previous years, we request that all PCCs in the Diocese of Hereford submit their 2024 Return of Parish Finance online no later than 28 June 2025.  It is a requirement for every PCC to submit their independently examined 2024 Report & Accounts within 28 days of their Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) and by 28 June 2025 at the latest.  The Report and Accounts must include a full Independent Examiner's report (see the concertina boxes below for models).

A PCC may send a soft copy of their 2024 Report & Accounts to the diocesan Finance Team as soon as they're approved by the PCC.  (You do not need to wait for these to be presented and adopted at your APCM, which must be held by 31 May 2025.)  If you prefer to post your PCC's Report and Accounts, please mark these for the attention of the Finance Team at the Diocesan Office, Palace Yard, HEREFORD HR4 9BL.

This year the online portal requires you to login and submit your energy footprint alongside your parish returns. The following video explains how to create an energy footprint for your church.

If you have not previously created a username or password to access the online parish return system please complete this form online. If you have forgotten your username and password you can prompt the system to reissue it by following the instructions on the screen for forgotten password or username to request a reset or email the finance team or phone the Diocesan Office on 01432 373300 if you have any further questions about this.  Thank you for your continued support.


Year-end Accounts Checklist

To guide a Treasurer through the year-end accounting and reporting process, please refer to and complete our Finance checklist Further guidance on each part of the process is available as follows:

What is the process for Accounting and Reporting?
What is the Receipts and Payments Accounts method?
What is the Accruals Accounts method?
What is a Trustees' Annual Report and how do I write one?
What is a letter of appointment and how do I obtain one?
What is Independent Examination and how do I find an independent examiner?
How to calculate gross income
What is Annual Return of Parish Finance?
What is a Budget and how do I set one?

The Finance Checklist

There are a few simple steps for a PCC Treasurer to follow at the end of each financial year. These include:

  • Prepare annual Report and Accounts.
  • Arrange to meet with your Independent Examiner to discuss the Report & Accounts, and provide any supporting documentation requested.
  • Present Report and Accounts at a PCC meeting for approval and signature prior to the APCM.
  • Obtain Independent Examiner's report and signature, and include with Report & Accounts.
  • Display Report and Accounts for at least 7 days prior to APCM.
  • Present Report and Accounts for approval at APCM.
  • Appoint Independent Examiner for the next financial year at APCM.
  • Send a copy of the signed Report & Accounts to the Finance Team at the diocesan office (no later than 28 June)
  • Complete the annual Return of Parish Finance in the Church of England's online parish return system (by 28 June)

To help you through the year-end process, we've prepared a simple checklist, which you can download in PDF or Word versions.

You may find it useful to complete this checklist and send it with your annual Report and Accounts.

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