Getting Started With Accounting
ChurchTrac features a complete church bookkeeping software that enables you to record and track church expenses, create church budgets, and keep track of all your different ministry-related funds.
- Start With a Good Foundation
- Navigating the Accounting Screen
- Setting Up Accounting
- Switching from Quickbooks?
- Next Steps
Start With a Good Foundation
Before diving into the Accounting screen, it’s helpful to understand a few foundational terms used throughout ChurchTrac Accounting: Bank Accounts, Funds, and Categories.
In Short: Bank Accounts track money you have or money you owe. Categories are like sticky notes that describe why money moved in or out of your bank accounts. Funds are like buckets that track how your money is designated and how much is set aside (or owed) for each purpose.
These three concepts work together to give you clear, accurate insight into where your church’s money is held, how it’s set aside, and why it moves in or out. Having a basic grasp of these terms will make setup, reporting, and day-to-day use much easier.
View the Basic Terminology & Examples Guide ›
Navigating the Accounting Screen
The Accounting toolbar is where you can access your church's Funds, Categories, and Accounts. You can also generate Reports, add Payees, and create Budgets.
Setting Up Accounting
To get started, you will need to set up your Accounts, Funds, and Categories. In our Setting Up Accounting article, you will find a step-by-step video and guide to show you how to get going from start to finish.
Switching from Quickbooks?
ChurchTrac is an easy-to-use QuickBooks alternative for churches needing to track their finances. There are 3 big differences you need to know:
ChurchTrac doesn't use a Chart of Accounts
In ChurchTrac, you use Categories to identify or designate how money is received or spent.
Accounts in ChurchTrac are actual Bank Accounts
In ChurchTrac, you will use Accounts to designate actual accounts held at a financial institution. This can include accounts such as checking, savings, a credit card, and more. This is not a Chart of Accounts.
ChurchTrac uses an Income Statement (also known as a Profit & Loss Statement)
In Fund Accounting, the “Profit & Loss Statement” is commonly called an Income Statement. Both refer to the same report showing income and expenses over a period of time. Churches typically use the term Income Statement to reflect a focus on stewardship rather than profit, but the report itself is the same.
Learn more about Switching from QuickBooks ›