Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Winter 2015 Issue | Page 29
Need-to-Know: From the Finance Office
At the 2014 Treasurer’s & Administrator’s Conference
Series, church staff and volunteers had the opportunity
to meet with diocesan finance office staff members
to learn about important updates in the world of
insurance, benefits and pensions. Check out these five
takeaways from the conference series below. Have
more questions? Contact one of your finance office
team members.
1) Effective Jan. 1, 2013, lay pension is now mandatory for all
staff working at least 1,000 hours per year. Employees may
not opt out. Churches not providing this benefit are leaving
themselves vulnerable to possible litigation.
2) udits, which may take one of three forms, are required
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and provide a way of showing the audit committee, the
vestry and, ultimately, the congregations that all donations
have been used as authorized. Information for audit
procedure is available on the diocesan website and anyone
having trouble with audit procedures should contact the
treasurer’s office.
3) Effective Jan. 1, 2016, all employees working at least 30
hours per week (1,500 hours per year) must be covered
with health insurance at the same level as their clergy. The
Staff Changes
Laura Hicks, benefits administrator for the Diocese,
has resigned from her position after 10 years of service.
Laura will remain within the diocesan family, however,
by retaining her part-time duties as an assistant for the
Trustees of the Funds.
In her decade on the diocesan staff, Laura has
coordinated enrollment for the diocesan insurance
plans, in addition to managing transactions for Shrine
Mont, processing investments for the Trustees of the
Funds and administering the diocesan database.
Laura is a member of St. Mark’s, Richmond, where
she serves as treasurer. She is a graduate of Texas A&M
University. Prior to joining the diocesan staff, Laura
worked as a CPA at various non-profits in Richmond.
“In addition to her dedication and skill, Laura
has brought great spirit and humor to the diocesan
staff team,” said Bishop Johnston. “I know that her
experience will continue to be a great benefit to the
Trustees of the Funds, although we’ll miss her presence
here at Mayo House.”
At the time this issue went to press, the Bishop was
still in a search process for a new benefits administrator.
Ted Smith, Treasurer
800-DIOCESE x1046
[email protected]
Joy Buzzard, Finance Administrator
800-DIOCESE x1022
[email protected]
Millie Lofton, Bookkeeper
800-DIOCESE x1023
[email protected]
minimum health insurance level to be provided is outlined
in detail in the Diocese of Virginia Parity model, which was
approved by the Executive Board. Each church is required
to select a base plan. The church must pay at least for
coverage at the following levels: 90 percent of single
coverage, 80 percent of couple or parent coverage, and 60
percent of family. Churches may provide greater coverage,
but it must be for all employees.
4) ealth insurance rates have increased 15 percent over
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2014 rates. The increase is driven by our experience in
the previous two to three years and we have had a loss
experience of 125 percent. The new rates are available on
the diocesan website under 2015 Benefit Costs.
5) he Church Pension Group has released a new feature
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for all church employees, MyCPG.org. All church staff
members need to establish their MyCPG accounts
(through the CPG.org website) as this portal will be
used to implement open enrollment changes for health
insurance. Employees may also report address changes,
new dependents or spouse information through the
portal. If you need assistance getting access to your
MyCPG account, contact CPG at 844-594-2201.
Important Dates:
Audits: ue Aug. 30 of the following year
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(2014 audits due 8/30/2015)
Pledge Card: ue Nov. 30 of the preceding year
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(2016 pledge due 11/30/15)
Parochial Reports: ue filed online by May 1,
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paper filing due March 1
WINTER 2015 / Virginia Episcopalian
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