Transferring data from another accounting system

[G.Scott]

My church implemented PowerChurch module by module, Accounting most recently, and Contributions a year or two earlier. Prior to implementation of Accounting, donor restricted funds were tracked with single liability accounts, numbered 2xxxx (5 digits), in our earlier accounting system. These numbers were also listed in the Contributions module, and the data collected against these accounts was then transferred manually to the other system. At the beginning of our last fiscal year on July 1, 2016, the PCP system was set up with the four-account set for each donor restricted category and the unspent balances for each project or task were transferred manually to PCP as a beginning balance.

We missed one. Fortunately, no additional contributions have occurred, and there has been no need to spend the funds. The earlier contributions to this account are still listed in the Contributions module, but the Move function is not available to transfer the balance to the new Equity account. We are looking for a method to smoothly update that account.

[NeilZ]

My church implemented PowerChurch module by module, Accounting most recently, and Contributions a year or two earlier. Prior to implementation of Accounting, donor restricted funds were tracked with single liability accounts, numbered 2xxxx (5 digits), in our earlier accounting system. These numbers were also listed in the Contributions module, and the data collected against these accounts was then transferred manually to the other system. At the beginning of our last fiscal year on July 1, 2016, the PCP system was set up with the four-account set for each donor restricted category and the unspent balances for each project or task were transferred manually to PCP as a beginning balance.

We missed one. Fortunately, no additional contributions have occurred, and there has been no need to spend the funds. The earlier contributions to this account are still listed in the Contributions module, but the Move function is not available to transfer the balance to the new Equity account. We are looking for a method to smoothly update that account.

So, basically you're looking to add a beginning balance. Here's the question ... does the current checking account contain the funds covered by the Donor Restriction?

If so, then the funds are probably showing in the unrestricted fund balance account, normally 3110-000. To move that to a restricted fund balance do this, assuming that 3210-000 is the restricted account, and 100.00 is the balance:

Go to Accounting -> Fund Accounting -> Enter Transaction and enter this:

DB 01-3110-000 $100
CR 01-3210-000 $100

This will move the funds from unrestricted to restricted.

However, if the checking account does not contain the funds, make a deposit from whatever bank its currently at to the new bank.
then enter this, assuming 1110-000 as the checking account, and 3210-000 is the fund balance account for the Donor Restricted fund and $100 as the amount:

DB 01-1110-000 $100
CR 01-3210-000 $100

Does this help ?

[G.Scott]

Your analysis was correct; beginning balance was needed for the account of concern. This method works; all the associated balances appear to be correct. Thanks.