Finance
As a church leader you’ll find that you are often responsible for the financial management of your church. Even if you’re blessed to have a treasurer as part of your team, you’ll still need to be aware of your financial obligations.
Our finance team is here to provide guidance on where you can start.
PLANTING A CHURCH – FINANCIAL FOUNDATIONS
Wherever you are along your journey, be it planting your church or expanding your ministry, you need to set solid financial foundations.
Step1. Apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN)
Applying for an ABN is easy and free. Visit the ATO website to apply for an ABN |
Step 2. Register for GST |
Step 3. Open a church bank account |
Step 4. Apply to register your church as a charity with ACNC. Registration benefits include:
Visit ACNC to register your church. |
FINANCIAL REPORTING
As a registered ABN organisation and a charity you’ll need to report regularly to the ATO, government agencies and the ACNC. The reports you will need to provide include:
Business Activity Statement (BAS)
A BAS helps you to report and pay your:
- GST
- Pay as you go (PAYG) installments
- PAYG withholding tax (employees and staff).
You can choose to lodge your BAS through the ATO portal monthly, quarterly or annually. If you are using Xero or MYOB, you can lodge directly to the ATO – see ATO BAS statements.
Single Touch Payroll (STP)
Single Touch Payroll is how you report PAYG tax and superannuation information to the ATO. How you send the information to the ATO will depend on the number of church staff you have. Visit Single Touch Payroll to see what options are available to you.
Other financial reports
Simple budget and monthly reports of your incoming funds and outgoing expenses can help you keep your church on track.
As a registered charity you must report back to the ACNC. The type of report you need to submit will depend on the size of your charity. Visit ACNC reporting.
Check with relevant government agencies and your financial advisor about other reports that might apply to you.
FINANCIAL RECORDS
As a charity your church will need to keep good financial records to meet the requirements of the ACNC and government agencies such as the ATO.
Your obligations will be different depending on the size and activities of your church however, all churches are expected to:
- correctly record how your church is spending and receiving money
- accurately record the church financial position
- regularly prepare financial statements for audit and review.
How to keep financial records
If you are a small ministry you might decide to keep written and manual records – if you do they must be:
- accurate and up-to-date
- easy to find
- written in English (or easily translated to English).
If you’re a busy ministry you might use an online accounting tool such as Xero or MYOB to manage and record your church’s financial transactions such as ATO lodgements, expenses, bank reconciliation, bill payments and staff payroll.
Church financial records must be kept for seven years to meet your ACNC obligations.
Financial Advice
If you find yourself managing your church finances it’s important to get advice from an accountant or financial manager. They can help you to understand what you need to do, and how you can meet your financial obligations.
Our finance team can also provide some guidance on where to start and where you can find help.
Finance resources
ATO – Starting a NFP organisation
Information from ATO about getting a NFP organisation up and running
ATO – Tax Concessions available to NFPs
ATO summary of tax concessions that apply to NFP organisations
ATO – Register for GST
How to register for GST through the ATO
ATO - Lodge a BAS
Lodge your BAS online with the ATO
ATO - Record Keeping
Financial records that must be kept for the ATO
ACNC - Why register your charity
Information from ACNC about the benefits of registering your charity
ACNC - Apply for Registration
ACNC – Apply for Registration
ACNC - Obligations of Charities
All registered charities must meet their obligations under ACNC
ACNC - Annual Financial Reporting
Information about charities’ annual financial reporting requirements