Missionary Funds - how to handle?

[frmbc]

I'm new to PowerChurch and had a question about setting up accounts for missionaries. We have one fund that people give to marked Missions, that money is divided equally amonth the missionaries that we support each month, along with a fixed amount designated for each. What is the best way to set this up in PowerChurch v9?

I originally tried one Missions Income fund and separate expense funds for each missionary, then manually entering the amounts. I'm not sure if that is the best way. Also, how should I set up the missionaries, as normal fund transactions or each one as a vendor?

Thanks,
frmbc

[Randy B]

Powerchurch has an article in the tech section of the website about setting up missionary accounts. I would reference that. I have set up an income account called undesignated missions. If people check missions but do not designate to what missions program or a missionary, that is the income account used. Then at the end of the month undesignated missions is spread equally to each missionary.

As far as setting up a vendor for each missionary, that depends upon how you disburse the money. A lot of denominations have a form you fill out for the missionary amount thus allowing you to write one check to a district or national office but have many designations on a form. Just keep a copy of the form for your voucher package. If you are writing checks to each missionary then you have to set up a vendor.

As far as the accounting on debiting expense accounts for disbursements, you have flexilbility. You could have just one account or you could use a designated missions, undesignated missions, and church supported missions. Use whatever works best for your church.

[frmbc]

Thanks for the response.

I have set the missionaries up as Vendors, since we send a check to each one individually. However, which article is it that describes setting up the missionary funds, I could not find it.

-frmbc

[Randy B]

From the PowerChurch web page select Support. Then select Knowledge Base and then search Knowledge Base. In the menu just select version 8 and there is an article entitled " Using Sub Accounts To Track Designated Gifts"