Who Handles the Money in a Church?

Responsibility sits with the church’s trustees, such as the parochial church council, deacons or elders, depending on the denomination. They appoint a treasurer to manage the money day to day. Counting is usually done by a rota of volunteers, always at least two together.

A good system splits the jobs, so no one person controls the money from start to finish. For example, the people who count the collection shouldn’t be the ones who check the bank statement, and payments should need two people to approve.

That protects the church from mistakes and fraud. It also protects volunteers from suspicion if something ever goes missing.