Audits
Note: Audits are due September 1, 2020. Because this deadline is a canonical requirement, no extensions can be granted. There is a new 2020 audit guideline change for some congregations, so please carefully review the options listed below.
Per Canon 17, all parishes, missions and institutions of the Diocese are required to submit all accounts for auditing annually. Recognizing the different financial capacities of individual churches, the Diocese allows for three different audit procedures. Annual budget dictates which audit procedure a church follows.
Congregations reporting $50,000 or less in Line D parochial report income may perform an internal audit by committee by downloading and completing the short committee audit form. (Download and save this form to your computer before filling it out.) Note the Diocese will accept only audits by committee completed using the committee audit form and following the guidelines contained therein.
Congregations reporting between $50,000 and $500,000 in Line D parochial report income may perform a review following the long committee audit form. (Download and save this form to your computer before filling it out.) Note the Diocese will accept only audits by committee completed using the committee audit form and following the guidelines contained therein.
Congregations reporting between $500,000 and $1,000,000 in Line D parochial report income may have a review by a certified or independent public accountant. Such congregations are required to have a regular audit in any year during which there is a change in accounting personnel or rectors.
New - Diocesan Council has authorized churches that had between $500,000 and $1,000,000 in Line D parochial income on their 2019 parochial reports to use the guidelines for churches with less than $500,000 income as a substitute for review by a certified or independent public accountant.
This authorization applies only to audits for calendar year 2019 and expires on December 31, 2020. The following long committee audit form can be used instead of a review if your vestry so chooses. (Download and save this form to your computer before filling it out.) Note the Diocese will accept only audits by committee completed using the committee audit form and following the guidelines contained therein.
Congregations reporting more than $1,000,000 in Line D parochial report income are required to have an annual audit by a certified or independent public accountant.
Please email your completed audit to [email protected] by September 1. All submissions will receive an automatic response that your submission has been received. If you have any questions regarding the audit please contact Maria Gillespie, Director of Finance and Administration, at [email protected]
If a congregation believes they are unable to meet the audit requirement for their income level, they may request, in writing to the department of business affairs and administration, a waiver for one year. Investment assets outside the Common Trust Fund may be considered when reviewing the appeal.
The request must state the reason for the appeal and be emailed to Maria Gillespie.
Chief Financial Officer
