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While mistakes in church bookkeeping are not uncommon, there are steps that you can take to avoid them.
To avoid making a mistake in church bookkeeping, you should carefully examine each person who is being paid for a service. The IRS guidelines (link to the Misclassification article), will help you determine whether they should be classified either as an employee with proper payroll tax withholding and matching, or as an independent contractor.
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.
It will make it easier to assure your congregation that their tithes, donations, and taxes are being used correctly. Congregants who know their donations will be used wisely are more likely than not to donate again.
Your church will be able manage the accounting tasks that are associated with programs such as preschools and fundraising. This will ensure these programs and your ministry are a success.
You can decide whether you want to pay an independent contractor or an employee if you are unsure.
How To Manage Church Records
Identify The Church Records That You're Going To Manage. Based on your local state laws you will need to figure out what records are imperative to keep. ...
Implement A Retention Schedule. ...
Establish Retention And Destruction Policies.
The biblical pattern shows without question that the pastor should be involved in the oversight of the church's finances, however, Scripture also prescribes the attitude and actions of the pastor to avoid disqualification of influence and trust.
Bookkeepers maintain the financial records of the church that includes income and expense records. They are supposed to keep records of the dates and amount of every transaction of the church.
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.