Just getting started but 7 months behind in year

Jaleen Fritz · Post by **Jaleen Fritz** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 8:35 pm

I am just getting started using PowerChurch (ver 8.5) - we just got the program new for this year - and other than inputing names and setting up which Funds my church will be needing to keep track of, what is the next most important thing to do? I have been instructed by my boss to track all debit expenses and put in the weekly tithes and offerings and am believing that is working in Accounts Payable and Fund Accounting. Can someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I am a bookkeeper by trade so please feel free to use the Lingo.

Thanx
J

Randy B · Post by **Randy B** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 8:06 am

I encountered the same problem two years ago when I implemented the package. It sounds as though you have established your funds and chart of accounts and I think you have assigned envelope numbers for contributions. I think the next thing you have to do is enter your employee information for payroll. The next thing you have to decide is if you want to recreate your current year starting with January. I would enter your contributions, enter your payroll, enter your accounts payable and then post. Reconcile your bank statement, analyze your reports, back up the system and then close January if you are satisfied. Then do the same for February and etc. One thing that worked for me was to create a spreadsheet by month with the check number, vendor/employee, debit account, credit account, and the amounts. This made keying in simpler if you wish to have your entire current year in PowerChurch.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 3:38 pm

Here's another approach for you to consider. Use your balance sheet and income statement as of 30 June for all of your funds and load these balances in as lump sums for the first 6 months into your general ledger. Load these balances into month 6, validate, and then close month 6. Then start loading your detail transactions for month 7. This would save you the work of recreating 6 months worth of detail. We converted to PowerChurch in September (month 9) and that was the approach I took. I felt that it worked out great and saved a lot of time.

Jaleen Fritz · Post by **Jaleen Fritz** » Thu Jul 29, 2004 1:43 am

Thanks to Randy and Matt for responding so quickly. It looks like I have ALOT of work ahead of me. I am going to have to start from January and go on because everything has to be done exact. My boss wants all 100% accurate. I'd love to be able to put everything in as one lump but as we weren't even using a system until now - other than having envelopes of receipts with handwritten notes, bank statements and deposit slips, I have to start from scratch and roll on. C'est la vie.

Thanx guys. I'm sure i'll be on again checking for more tips and advice as I get rolling along with the year.
God bless,
Jaleen