Not only is the church busy with Advent services, holiday outreach ministries, children’s choir performances, live nativities, and youth group progressive dinner celebrations, but the task of completing church end-of-year financials along with future planning and organization is an immediate deadline on the horizon. How to Make a Church Year-End Financial Task Checklist requires denominational, local, and national compliance to include the following if your fiscal year-end is December 31st.
Checklist
- If you haven’t already, continue to communicate with and remind congregants of the last possible date for all giving to be received for general giving, end-of-year campaigns and tax benefits for 2022.
- Reconcile the donor system to the general ledger and investigate any significant differences.
- Property and equipment details should be reconciled to the general ledger.
- Review the parsonage and/or housing allowance and amend as needed to obtain approval from the board before January 1st.
- Verify that all debt covenants are in compliance for on-schedule (if not early) amortization.
- Perform a variance review of the income statement (actual vs. budget) as this information may impact decisions and allocations moving forward.
- Finalize your budget for next year. Go ahead and draft or make church financial checklist adjustments, suggestions, and notes based on the findings of this year.
- Prepare and send giving statements to all donors, no matter their personal contribution amount total. This is a solid practice to run a query for all gifts received. It also serves as a reminder to donors for future giving.
- Identify all 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC tax forms that must also be prepared in January.
- Review insurance policies and update as appropriate.
- Update bank records with a list of authorized check signers.
- Document a list of those authorized to approve expenditures.
- Document a list of approved bank accounts and close any unnecessary ones.
- Reviewing the backup policies of all records is critical so you can create the church end-of-year financial report.
Be Prepared
What is included in year-end financials includes becoming familiar with and evaluating every aspect of the church’s financial policies and procedures. Knowing how funds are being spent will help you keep a handle on and track expenditures. And be prepared for emergencies and/or additional ministry opportunities that may arise throughout the year. These are the Lord’s funds and stewardship matters.
Titus 1:7-9 sets the tone accordingly, “For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” Prayerfully considering all financial aspects and working together to build the Kingdom to glorify the Lord is the goal.
As Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Thomas is responsible for the company’s overall sales. Including production through multiple sales channels. Born and raised in Florence, S.C., Thomas has over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing leadership. He holds a degree in business and is currently pursuing an Organizational Leadership degree. He loves seeing people move outside their comfort zone and exceed their goals. In addition to his work at ACS Technologies, he volunteers with several organizations, including a local ministry in Florence.
