Church boards serve multiple masters. Tasked with guiding and keeping the mission-driven activities on course, board members can lose touch with the day-to-day financial operations. The board's responsibility for the ongoing monitoring of the church's fiscal matters is a fiduciary one. To do so, it must receive regular and accurate financial information.

For churches, the holidays are one of the most strategic times of the year for fundraising. Donations pick up at the end of the year and are often critical to the financial well-being of the organization. In the flurry of receiving and recording these year-end donations, it is essential to manage their tax filing implications. While you are thanking donors for their generous support, make sure you include this critical filing information.

A church needs to be financially healthy to carry out its planned mission. A budget is a necessary tool for achieving the congregation's goals. It can serve as a roadmap for planning and decision-making. Here's why: