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Yearly Financial Reporting

Churches have several annual reporting requirements.  

1 - Parochial Reports and Annual Certificates

Every congregation is required to complete their Parochial Report and Annual Certificate by March 1. The Parochial Report is completed using the Episcopal Church’s online filing system: https://reports.dfms.org/.  After the congregation files their report, Diocesan staff review it for accuracy, and submit the completed version to the Episcopal Church.  If a congregation is unsure of their username and password for the online filing system, contact John Edgar at [email protected] or 941-556-0315 x984.

The Parochial Report is a tool for the collection of data that is intended to assist the Church in understanding itself and planning for mission.  Click the following link for resources from the Episcopal Church that will help you complete your report:

Online Resources for Parochial Reporting from The Episcopal Church

In addition to the Parochial Report, all items requested in the Annual Certificate must be completed and submitted to the Office of the Bishop of Southwest Florida no later than March 1. The 2023 Annual Certificate can be found by clicking on this link.  Email completed certificates to [email protected].

Congregations that have suffered property damage from Hurricane Ian will receive an exemption from apportionment on certain revenue used to repair their property.  Read and follow the Procedures for Recording Hurricane Ian's Impact on the 2022 Parochial Report and complete a reconcilation form to receive credit.  Download a reconciliation form in PDF Format or in Excel Format (right click either link and choose to 'Save Link As' to download a copy to your computer).  

The Diocese held a workshop on the 2022 Parochial Report on January 31, 2023.  You can view the Zoom recording of that workshop by clicking on this link.  The powerpoint slides from the workshop can be found by clicking on this link.

 

2 - Yearly Audits

All congregations are required to perform an annual audit of their financial activities.  Completed audits are due to the Diocesan Office by September 1 of the year following the audit year.  Audits for the 2022 year are due by September 1, 2023.  Completed audits should be sent to John Edgar at [email protected] or by mail.

Churches may hire a Certified Public Accountant to conduct an independent audit or they may appoint an audit committee of parishioners to complete the audit.  If a church appoints an audit committee to complete the audit, they must follow the procedures established by the Diocese of Southwest Florida.  Those procedures are found below:

  • Committee Audit Procedures, in Microsoft Word format (if you wish to reformat the document) or as a form-fillable PDF.  Right click on either link and select 'Save link as' to download a copy to your computer.

The Diocese held a workshop on the audit process for the 2022 calendar/fiscal year on January 31, 2023.  You can view the recording of that workshop by clicking on this link.  The powerpoint slides from the workshop can be found by clicking on this link.

 

3 - Annual Due Dates for Congregations:

  • Due by September 1 of 2023:
    • Annual Audit of Financial Activities

Further Resources

Below are several documents that churches might find useful.

Get in Touch

Questions about church financial management, parochial reports, or audits? Contact John Edgar at [email protected].

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