The financial year of the parish council starts in April.

Most of the revenue for the parish council comes from the precept which is added to the council tax of each residential property in the parish.

After the December meeting, Allendale Parish Council publishes a draft budget and proposed precept for the following year. The residents have an opportunity to comment on the proposals and the final budget is agreed at the January meeting. The precept proposal is then sent to the county council to add to the council tax for April.

In April/May, the accounts for the previous year are audited by an independent auditor appointed by the parish council. The audited accounts are made available for the public to examine by application to the clerk. The accounts are used to create a standardised view of the accounts which are reviewed and certified by a government-appointed auditor. The public has a window of opportunity to make comments and objections directly to the government auditor.