Internal controls are a key area where churches are at risk. Having someone outside of the financial system reconciling your bank accounts, tracking, and verifying your deposits and checks means there is a second set of eyes going over all of your systems, increasing the safeguarding of your congregation�s resources.
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.
Many churches and charities are struggling to get by on limited funds. Nonprofits will save valuable time, stress, resources, and money by outsourcing their financial operations. Spending time on finances as the head of your non-profit is time that could have been spent helping others, growing your donor base and expanding your organization.
We provide our clients with a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges religious organizations face today. We devote many hours each year to staying abreast with the current regulations and tax laws that will affect our clients (churches, synagogues mosques or church schools, churches daycares and any other religious-based organizations).
....Another reason to keep books is to make financial decisions. It is important to be able pull up a report to see if you are spending more than in previous years.
It is not a priority for them to hire a "experienced bookkeeper". The Pastor can either do the bookkeeping or corral a member who has some organizational or financial skills and then turns it over.
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.
Diocesan Canons state that treasurers and other officers of a church parish, mission or other institution be “bonded” according to Episcopal Church Canons. Episcopal Church Canons require that treasurers be “adequately bonded.”
seven years
Financial Records are traditionally kept for seven years. This relates to the laws of tax audits and the number of years back the IRS is allowed to look when determining an organization's tax liability.
The IRS may begin a church tax inquiry only if an appropriate high-level Treasury official reasonably believes, based on a written statement of the facts and circumstances, that the organization: (a) may not qualify for the exemption; or (b) may not be paying tax on unrelated business or other taxable activity.