Atlanta Church Bookkeeping LLC is available to assist clients in analyzing the complex issues of clergy tax law, church payroll and HR. Our experts are dedicated to keeping clients informed about the latest developments in tax and trends in different specialty areas.
The cost of having someone on staff for bookkeeping in a small church often means combining the role with another role to make the job enticing enough. For other churches, it means hiring someone part-time who may not have a great deal of experience. Yet, for many others, it means asking a volunteer treasurer to maintain the accounting. Hiring someone who is trained and does bookkeeping for many churches means they can give you higher quality work at an affordable price.
However, every church needs to manage finances. Weekly tithes, offerings and taxes are due. There are bills to pay and needs to meet. And, of course, salaries to be paid. It's hard to keep track. Even if your Excel skills are not great and you don't understand how to tell a debit from credit, church accounting software can help you navigate the terrain.
Avoiding this error in church bookkeeping is by taking the time to look at every person you pay for a service. You can then use the IRS guidelines (link below) to determine if they should classify themselves as employees with payroll tax withholding, matching or independent contractors.
You will discover errors like duplicates or missing transactions, bank errors on rare occasions and amount discrepancies by reconciling your accounts with your bank, credit card, and bank statements.
Churches are most at risk if they lack internal controls. A person outside your financial system can reconcile your bank accounts, track and verify your deposits, and make sure your checks are paid. This will increase the security of your congregation's assets.
Our non-profit tax advisers are experienced in working with churches and synagogues to minimize taxes and preserve tax exempt status.
Working in church accounting, you share the same responsibilities as an accountant in any other organization. You record expenses, track contributions made by the congregation, and monitor spending on various programs. Your duties center around bookkeeping, documenting and controlling finances for a church.
81% of church revenue came from individual donations. 34% of congregations have endowments, which constituted on average 4% of their revenue. Only 2% of churches received revenue from government grants; 12% received finance from non-government grants.
Common Church Budget Categories
Personnel (salaries, benefits, etc.)
Administration (operating expenses)
Facilities and Equipment (utilities, insurance on property, maintenance)
Outreach (missions, evangelism, social events, etc.)