Trustpilot
As April approaches, many churches across the UK are quietly entering one of the most important seasons of the year: financial year-end preparation.
For treasurers, church leaders, administrators, and ministry leads, the final two months before year-end can feel like a balancing act. There are budgets to review, spending to assess, reports to prepare, and plans to make for the year ahead.
The good news? With a little planning—and the right support—this season can be productive rather than pressured. Here’s how to steward your resources well as we head toward April.
1. What Churches Are Doing Before Financial Year End
In February and March, church leadership teams are often focused on three key areas of stewardship:
Reviewing Budget vs. Actual Spend
Trustees and treasurers are looking closely at any "underspend" that needs allocating wisely before the new financial year begins. Whether it’s youth, worship, or pastoral care, identifying remaining funds allows you to invest in resources that will serve the church long-term.
💡 Expert Tip: Maximise Your Remaining Budget
Did you know that many of our Pew Bibles and Communion Elements offer significant discounts when bought in bulk? If you have a small underspend, purchasing for the whole year now can reduce your "cost per head" significantly for the next financial year.
Ordering Resources Within the Current Budget
Making purchases now ensures the spend sits within the correct accounting period. This is the ideal time to:
- Restock Communion Supplies, Candles, and Certificates.
- Invest in new Bibles
- Prepare for Easter services early to avoid the April rush.
- Fill gaps in your Sunday School curriculum or youth group materials.
Ensuring Accounting Compliance
We know that church treasurers require more than just a receipt. You need VAT invoices, clear payment records, and often, purchase order references to satisfy internal audit requirements and PCC reporting.
2. How Eden’s Service Offering Makes Year-End Easier
We support church accounting requirements with features that make the Treasurer’s job significantly easier during the April audit. Our Eden Advance Account offers the following benefits:
- Invoice Payment Options: Move away from personal credit cards. Eden Advance allows you to buy now and pay via invoice, ensuring your church bookkeeping remains professional and transparent.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Align your spending with your internal finance cycles. Our dedicated credit options give you 30 days to pay from the date of your order, allowing you to equip your ministry now and pay when it suits your church's cash flow.
- Professional Audit Trails: Every purchase generates a full VAT invoice. This ensures your Treasurer has the precise documentation required for the annual financial report and your church's internal audit, keeping your bookkeeping transparent and compliant.
3. More Than a Shop: Free Resources for Your Mission
Financial year-end isn’t just about spending—it’s about planning for growth. We believe supporting your church’s mission goes beyond transactions. That’s why we offer a suite of free tools to help you finish the year strong:
- Free Job & Volunteer Vacancy Advertising: Looking for a new youth worker or administrator for the new financial year? List your vacancy with us at no cost.
- Access to Christian360: Explore free-tier digital tools designed to help your church grow, engage, and manage its mission.
- Christian Organisations Hub: Discover and connect with other Christian organisations, ministries, churches, and charities making a difference around the world.
4. The Year-End Church Supply Checklist
Don't let the administrative "big picture" make you forget the practical essentials. Use this checklist to audit your cupboards before the March 31st deadline:
Sanctuary & Worship
- Communion Supplies: Restock wine, wafers, and gluten-free options for the Easter peak. Shop Communion
- Candles: Check your stock of altar candles, votives, baptism candles and your dated Paschal candle. Shop Candles
Administration & Records
- Registers: Ensure you have fresh Marriage, Baptism, and Burial registers ready for the new year. Shop Registers
- Certificates: Replenish your stock of Baptism, Confirmation, and Wedding certificates. Shop Certificates
Congregation & Discipleship
- Bibles: Replace worn pew Bibles or invest in Large Print editions for accessibility. Shop Bibles
- Outreach: Prepare for Easter visitors with tracts, welcome packs, and seasonal resources. Shop Outreach
Children & Youth
- Sunday School & Youth Groups: Refresh your curriculum, activity books, and resources for the new term. Shop Children's Resources
Plan Well. Finish Strong. Start Fresh.
Financial year-end doesn’t have to be stressful. By stewarding your resources wisely and equipping your leaders effectively, you can enter the new financial year ready for what God has next.
Visit the Church Supplies Hub today to start your year-end audit.
