ACCOUNTANTS FOR FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS

Churches need accountants, too. They need to protect their tax-exempt status, file taxes, get financing for projects and charitable initiatives, keep track of incoming funds, pay workers, and stay compliant with government regulations. Even though they are tax-exempt, faith-based organizations still have financial and regulatory obligations to meet, and certified public accountants from Marshall Jones can help.

Marshall Jones provides bookkeeping and accounting services for:

  • Churches
  • Synagogues
  • Temples
  • Mosques
  • Houses of worship
  • Schools
  • Retreat centers
  • Seminaries
  • Ministries
  • Outreach entities

BENEFITS OF OUTSOURCING YOUR CHURCH’S ACCOUNTING TO A CPA

Working with a CPA can have many advantages for your Atlanta-area church.

Free Up Money

A CPA can free up more money by handling the compliance and financial details. When you outsource your church’s bookkeeping, you also have someone looking at your cash flow, vendor receipts, invoices and every other financial part of your business, ensuring you have enough for your projects and community.

Save Time

Taking care of all incoming donations, funds, vendor invoices and bills can take a lot of time, even if you are a smaller faith-based organization. Hiring a full-time CPA is also time-consuming and expensive, as is staying caught up on tax code changes and financial regulation changes. By outsourcing to Marshall Jones, someone else can take care of daily accounting, compliance research and more, freeing you up to pursue your calling.

Stay Compliant

Due to their tax-exempt status, churches and faith-based non-profits can come under extra scrutiny from the IRS. It can be a challenge to stay compliant, especially with tax rules changing often. Bookkeepers understand current tax codes and work to keep you compliant. They also keep your financial records in order so you are ready for any questions or scrutiny.

HOW ACCOUNTING FOR CHURCHES IS DIFFERENT

Churches and faith-based organizations need to track money carefully. To stay compliant, they must use funds for charitable work and not personal expenses, for example. This means every dollar needs to be accounted for. Some charitable work may involve personal help to community members, so it is important that the difference between personal and charitable expenses is respected.

The IRS has its own definition of churches and faith organizations, and this involves 14 criteria. Organizations that meet IRS definitions can enjoy benefits such as federal income tax exemption, unemployment tax exemption, exemption from filing some information returns and other benefits. However, determining whether you qualify and ensuring you stay compliant with current definitions can be a challenge.

The team at Marshall Jones has more than 30 years of experience helping faith-based organizations and non-profit entities. We can handle everything from internal audits to bookkeeping to tax planning. We can also advise on how to free up more money for your mission, all while keeping you compliant.

OUTSOURCED CHURCH BOOKKEEPING AND TAX PLANNING AND PREPARATION

Working with Marshall Jones comes with many benefits:

  • We have accounting experience. With more than three decades of experience, there is little our certified public accountants have not seen or worked with. From consulting to tax planning and bookkeeping, we provide a high caliber of service, no matter what services you need.
  • We have industry experience. We have worked with many faith-based organizations over the years. Not only do we understand the unique needs of this sector, but we’re also aware of all current financial regulations, tax codes and requirements. We have worked with pastors, priests, rabbis and other leaders, and our team is respectful of your faith and your community.
  • Our services are customizable. Just as every ministry is different, our customized services offer the right level of service for you. Whether you need bookkeeping, once-a-year tax preparation or a customized bundle of services, we can offer what you need.
  • We give you enhanced control. You can completely outsource your accounting services or you can stay fully in control. With Marshall Jones, you get to choose how much you stay involved.