New Clerks Finance
This introductory session is for inexperienced clerks in their first few months and is designed to give them an overview of a council's year, along with a basic understanding of the RFO's role.
Topics include: Roles and responsibilities, setting a budget and precept, internal controls, the Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR), and internal and external audits.
By the end of the session you will be aware of relevant legislation and sources of guidance, be able to describe the key financial activities in a year, be aware of how the council's accounts must be prepared and audited and be able to recognise the importance of internal controls.
The fee is £45 for the two-hour online, trainer-led session.
Finance for Councillors
This session is for councillors only and is designed to give them a greater understanding of their duties with regard to the council's finances.
By the end of the session you will understand the council's duties regarding financial management, be aware of relevant legislation and sources of guidance, be aware of how the council's accounts are prepared and audited, be able to recognise the importance of internal controls, and understand how VAT law applies to your council.
The fee is £45 for a two-hour, virtual, trainer-led session
BOOKBudgeting for Clerks & Finance Staff
This session is aimed at officers of parish & town councils, who are involved in preparing and monitoring budgets.
Topics include: Sstting a budget and precept, contingencies and reserves, how the council tax base affects the budget, inflation and budget monitoring.
By the end of this session you will understand how and when to prepare a budget, know how to approve and issue a precept, be aware of the factors that affect a budget, and understand how to manage a budget.
The fee is £45 for the two-hour online, trainer-led session.
BOOKInternal Controls
This session give councillors and clerks an understanding of the need for internal controls and how they work, with practical examples and case studies.
Topics include: Roles and responsibilities, financial risks, the purpose of internal controls, some case studies, examples of controls, and review of internal controls.
By the end of Local Council Finance you will understand the council's and RFO's duties regarding internal control; be aware of the purpose of internal controls; be able to identify examples of internal controls, and know when to review internal controls.
The fee is £45 for the two-hour online, trainer-led session.
BOOKProcurement
This course is designed for anyone involved in procuring goods and services, preparing tenders, or entering into contracts on behalf of local councils. It serves as an introduction to the basics of procurement, providing a comprehensive overview of key activities such as inviting quotes, producing specifications and tender documentation, achieving competition and value for money, and managing contracts.
The session covers: Procurement thresholds, basic terminology and steps involved in procurement, estimates, quotes and tenders, specifications, quality and value for money, and advertising, including Contracts Finder.
The fee is £45 for the two-hour online, trainer-led session.
BOOKRole of the Internal Audit
This session explains the role of the internal auditor in providing assurance to the council that it has sound financial controls.
Topics include: legislation and guidance, roles and responsibilities, risk management, internal controls, how the council appoints an internal auditor, the scope of the internal audit, reviewing internal controls, and internal audit reports.
By the end of this session you will understand the purpose of an internal audit,; be aware of relevant legislation and sources of guidance; understand how a council should appoint an internal auditor; recognise the importance of internal controls; and be aware of the need to review effectiveness.
The fee is £45 for the two-hour online, trainer-led session.
Year-end & Audit: Receipts & Payments accounts (over £25,000)
For officers who want to understand how to prepare their council's Annual Governance & Accountability Return on a receipts and payments basis and comply with the requirements of the audit process.This session introduces the Annual Return and the stages of the audit process, enabling you to complete all the relevant steps correctly.
By the end of this session you will be able to identify the steps needed as part of the audit process, understand how to close the council's accounts, understand how to complete the Annual Return, be able to correctly allow the exercise of electors' rights, and recognise the need to review internal controls.
The fee is £45 for the two-hour online, trainer-led session.
Year-end & Audit: Income & Expenditure accounts
For officers who want to understand how to prepare their council's Annual Governance & Accountability Return on an income and expenditure basis (mandatory for councils regularly spending over £200,000) and comply with the requirements of the audit process. This session introduces the Annual Return and the stages of the audit process, enabling you to complete all the relevant steps correctly.
By the end of this session you will be able to identify the steps needed as part of the audit process, understand how to close the council's accounts, understand how to complete the Annual Return, be able to correctly allow the exercise of electors' rights, and recognise the need to review internal controls
The fee is £45 for the two-hour online, trainer-led session.
VAT for VAT-registered Councils
For clerks, finance staff and councillors from councils that are VAT registered, who wish to develop their knowledge (VAT registered councils have a 9-digit registration number, submit quarterly VAT returns online and charge VAT on taxable sales. If your council submits a VAT126 claim, it is not VAT registered). This session explains when and how VAT registered local councils charge VAT, when they can reclaim it and when they can't. Essential for any council contemplating major building projects.
By the end of this session you will know where to find the relevant legislation and guidance, understand the key concepts of VAT, know when a council can or can't reclaim VAT, recognise when a council must charge VAT, and be aware of activities that require special attention.
The fee is £45 for the two-hour online, trainer-led session.
VAT for unregistered Councils
For clerks, finance staff and councillors from councils that are not VAT registered, but reclaim VAT using Form VAT126. This session explains how VAT affects local councils. Essential for any council contemplating major building projects.
By the end of this session you will know where to find the relevant legislation and guidance, nderstand the key concepts of VAT, know when a council can or can’t reclaim VAT, recognise when a council must register for VAT, and be aware of activities that require special attention.
The fee is £45 for the two-hour online, trainer-led session.
VAT partial exemption
For clerks, finance staff and councillors of councils that lease or hire out land and buildings such as village halls, community centres, meeting rooms, sports facilities or markets, who need to understand when their council is at risk of not being able to reclaim VAT. Essential for any council contemplating major building projects, or incurring significant expenditure on running these facilities.
This session is for those who already understand the rules of VAT (possibly from one of our VAT sessions) and need to work out whether their council can reclaim VAT in relation to its use of land. It is unlikely to be of benefit for councils spending less than £50,000 a year, or for anyone that doesn't understand the difference between business and non-business activities or between taxable and exempt supplies.
This session explains when VAT cannot be reclaimed in relation to exempt activities and what options may be available. By the end of this session you will know where to find the relevant legislation and guidance, understand how to undertake a partial exemption calculation, recognise when a project is likely to lead to unrecoverable VAT, and be aware of options to achieve VAT recovery.
The fee is £45 for the two-hour online, trainer-led session.