See the church accounting blog below for questions, answers, and tips from church AND nonprofit staff and volunteers.
Please use the "Site Map" or "Site Search" (links to both are at the top of the home page) BEFORE submitting your own question as there are THOUSANDS of Q&A in this FAQ section and you can probably find the answer to your questions much quicker that way =) Plus... I won't post the same questions over and over again.
NOTE: Please consider adding a reply/comment on some of the readers' post below. My husband is having some medical issues and I am not able to reply to all of the questions that my awesome readers submit.
Do not worry about being "expert" on the subject matter! We love hearing your suggestions, advise, and past experience on the subject.
All of my readers know that they should always "research" for themselves or SEEK the ADVICE of a professional before taking the word of everything they read on the internet as I "remind" them of that very important fact in almost all of my replies =)
But many times, hearing how someone else has handled a similar issue, is a great help!
If a qualified minister holds more than one ministerial jobs, can he claim a housing allowance for both jobs?
Continue reading "Housing Allowance for more than one ministerial job"
Donation guidelines for handling cash, noncash, stock, quid pro quo, DAF, and other unique donations.
Continue reading "Donation Guidelines for Churches and Nonprofits"
A non-profit or church audit can be beneficial for your financial staff, your donors, and your organization. Learn what a church audit is and how to prepare for it.
Are there any special rules for contributions that are given to, or received from, another church? Specifically if a church is liquidating. This is assuming
Continue reading "are there restrictions on church to church contributions"
A series on Bookkeeping for Churches that includes 4 ebooks and a QBO chart of accounts template.
Bookkeeper errors are hard to spot for many church administrators. See what to look for to know if your bookkeeper is keeping your books correctly.
Continue reading "How to Spot Bookkeeper Errors for a Church or Nonprofit Organization"
We have a member who donated a lump sum of money to help kids with the cost of their mission trip. The donor wants the kids to earn credit towards their
Steps to take prior to generating monthly financial statements for a church or nonprofit.
Review the 3 requirements for accountable reimbursement plan reimbursements to be considered accountable.
Continue reading "Accountable Reimbursement Plan Guidelines"
The Church Accounting Package includes information on fund accounting, contributions, minister taxes, internal controls, accounting systems, and much more.
This spreadsheet package includes a contribution tracking workbook, an automatic accounting workbook, and several more spreadsheets and documents to aid in your nonprofit accounting.
Continue reading "Spreadsheet Package for Churches and Nonprofits"
Misclassification of workers is a big issue with many small churches and nonprofits.
Continue reading "Misclassification of Workers in a Church or Nonprofit"
An internal audit checklist for church or nonprofit committees to print and use. Remember that good accounting records and good stewardship go hand in hand.
Find out what the tax exempt status qualifications are for churches and nonprofits.
Continue reading "Tax Exempt Status for Churches and Nonprofits."
See an example of pastors W-2 forms with step-by-step instructions on how to fill out a ministers W-2 form.
See 5 tips for using QuickBooks Online for churches and nonprofits effectively
Updated QuickBooks Online for Nonprofits Accounting Guide
Continue reading "QuickBooks Online for Nonprofits Accounting Guide"
My husband preached in several different states. Sometimes he received a love offering. We have already included the amounts in our home state taxes, do
Continue reading "Do I file taxes for states where we received a love offering?"
A member donated $3000, and requested it be given to six different staff members ($500 each). The donor wished to remain anonymous, and only gave the
Continue reading "Anonymous Gift Designated for Church Staff"
If a minister is employed full-time with another job and receives a $500 housing allowance from the church, he pastors, would he receive a 1099 and or
Our Pastor received a Christmas bonus under $200.00. Do I put the full amount on his W-2 since no taxes were taken out? He qualifies for his regular salary
If the housing allowance is on the W2 do I still need to give them a letter for the amount of the allowance?
Our Pastor's salary this year has been designated to Housing Allowance. Will his Christmas Bonus go on a W-2 even if it's only a small sum? Thanks, D
What contributions can the church make to individuals under an alms program? (i.e. payments for Food, housing, etc).
Continue reading "Alms Giving Directly by the Church to the Community"
If a pastor is experiencing high medical costs not covered by insurance and the Board wants to provide them a small love gift (< $3,000) to show support
Continue reading "Love Gift to Pastor - not related to services performed - reportable?"
I went through the process of of the sales receipt and bank deposit to account for on-line processing fees. But when I run a Statement of Activity by
A pastor of a small church the He pioneered. He only receives a honorarium each month. Is he required to file a w-2?
The pastor lives in a church provided parsonage. The church pays for the utilities (not transferred to the pastor's name). Let's say the pastor is paid