Here are some tips I have learned along the way!
Budget money is not the same as cash - budget money is a guide to how much to spend when and if you HAVE the cash. I hate hearing staff say they spent so much because it was in their budget. However, it is the job of the administration office to convey to staff the cash position of the church and keep them updated of significant changes.
The staff spends the money and the staff can cut spending – it’s not the Finance Committee spending the money, not the Deacon’s either, and not the church members. For the most part it is staff doing the spending. Start with them when cuts are needed.
The Administrator is responsible for fixing the problem – Usually one person did not get you in a financial problem and one person is not going to fix it. Take the issue to the whole church and be as transparent as you can. Seek the counsel of many says the Bible. Actually the pastor should take the role of “playmaker”. He makes the plays and gets the team on the same page.
Have the right tools in place- make sure your staff has access to the numbers! If you use a software package such as Shelby Inc or ACS, then use your multi user feature to give desktop access to the software and their budget numbers. Train the secretaries on how to print financial reports and how to read them. Make it easy for staff to look at where they are at in spending at any time.
Others tips you may have? Let us know.
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