How to Do Bookkeeping for a Church?

Choose one place to keep the books: a spreadsheet, bookkeeping software or church software with giving built in. Set up categories for each type of income and spending, and a separate fund for each restricted purpose.

Enter money as it arrives: collections from the counting sheets, standing orders from the bank statement and Gift Aid when HMRC pays it. Enter each payment with its receipt.

Once a month, reconcile the books with the bank statement, so they match to the penny. Share a short report with your trustees or church council regularly. At the year end, give the books to your independent examiner, if your church needs one.