Parish Accounting
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Accounting "Cheat Sheet" | Year End Payroll | Parish Financial Reporting
Accounting Software | Logos Software Support
Accounting "Cheat-Sheet"
Have you ever found yourself preparing a journal entry while asking, “which side should be the debit and which side should be the credit?” Click on the link below for a guide that may be a useful reference when you find yourself in those situations. Also included with the guide is how each account type corresponds with the chart of accounts for the Diocese of Winona.
Debit - Credit Reference
Year-End Payroll Responsibilities - Online Parish Accounting Training Sessions
The end of the calendar year presents many once-a-year payroll activities. We will be reviewing year-end payroll responsibilities for individuals responsible for processing payroll. For a copy of the web-based workshop presented on January 8 & 9, 2008, please contact Dean Dalzell at the Diocese of Winona.
Parish Financial Reporting (June 2006 Ministry Days Revisited)
Help! The parish finance council meets tonight. What is essential parish financial information and how do I pull it together efficiently? We will discuss basic financial reports and accounting information necessary for pastors and finance councils.
Parish Financial Reporting Handouts (Used for June 2006 Ministry Days)
Audio/Video presentation of Parish Financial Reporting
Parish Accounting Software
The Diocese of Winona has selected accounting software to recommend to parishes for their implementation. Logos Management Software provides accounting and church management software for use specifically in parish settings. Logos will work with the Diocese during a two-year implementation period during which parishes will receive significantly discounted prices for the software.
In addition to meeting the criteria laid out by the task force given the responsibility to review parish accounting software packages, Logos Management Software was chosen for the following reasons:
1. The software was designed specifically for churches and includes modules for church census, sacramental register, ministry scheduling, facility scheduling and school management.
2. There are several other dioceses throughout the United States that either mandate or recommend Logos Management Software to their parishes. References from these dioceses and individual parishes in these dioceses highly recommended Logos Management Software.
3. Logos Management Software will also work with the Diocese of Winona to develop a module by which financial and census information can be sent to the Diocese from the parishes electronically. This automation process eliminates the lengthy reporting process now required of parish bookkeepers when reporting information to the Diocese.
4. Logos Management Software will assist the Diocese of Winona with implementation of the software over a two-year period, during which special price breaks are given to parishes purchasing the software.
5. Among the sofware packages reviewed, Logos had the most user-friendly interface, giving a visual map of step-by-step directions a bookkeeper must follow to properly enter financial transactions, perform accounting duties and produce reports.
6. Estimating costs over a three-year period, including initial purchase, training, ongoing annual support and regular updates, Logos Management Software was the most affordable option considering the various needs of parishes throughout the Diocese of Winona.
Initially, the task force responsible for this recommendation struggled with recommending a new software package not currently being used in the Diocese. However, QuickBooks, the current number one software package, was not written for churches and had significant internal control weaknesses, including the ability to change and delete historical data. Both PDS and CMS were written with churches in mind, but both fell short when compared with Logos Management Software. After reviewing the options, it was very clear that Logos Management Software stood high above the other options. This information was presented to Bishop Harrington who received and approved the recommendation. To make the implementation more feasible, especially for smaller parishes, Bishop Harrington has allowed parishes to pay for the software over a two years.
As of November 15, 2005, 106 parishes in the Diocese of Winona are using Logos Management Software. This makes Logos Management Software the most widely used accounting software package in the Diocese. The first group went through training in June 2003. Several other training sessions have been held since then.
You can request a demo CD by contacting Dean Dalzell at the Diocese of Winona Pastoral Center or visiting Logos Management Software website.
How does my parish join the implementation of Logos Management Software?
1. The pastor, parish director or bookkeeper should contact Dean Dalzell at the Diocese of Winona Pastoral Center to discuss the parish's needs.
2. Once the right configuration of software is identified, the Diocese will place the order with Logos Management Software. The software is shipped directly to the parish. Logos Management Software bills the Diocese of Winona. The Diocese of Winona, in turn, bills the parish for the purchase. Parishes can pay for the software over two years.
3. The parish will install Logos Management Software according to directions included with the software. The Diocese of Winona Chart of Accounts and payroll setup are included on a separate Implementation CD provided with the software.
4. Once the software is received and installed, parish users will attend a training session offered at various times during the two-year implementation period. Advanced training will also be offered to parishes desiring more training on Logos Management Software.
For more information, including pricing specifically for your parish, call or email Dean Dalzell at the Diocese of Winona Pastoral Center at (507) 454-4643 x219.
Logos Maintenance and Support Contract Renewals
Approximately 1 month prior to the end of a parish's first year on Logos Management Software, Logos will contact the parish regarding maintenance and support contract agreements. The Diocese of Winona has negotiated a 45% discounts with Logos. As part of the deal, Logos will bill the Diocese of Winona for all parish contracts. In turn, the Diocese of Winona will bill individual parishes for their maintenance and support contract agreements. All parishes are required to renew with the lowest level contract which is maintenance only, giving parishes updates and upgrades. Additional support is optional to the parish. Unless the parish contacts the Diocese to change its level of support, the parish will have its contract renewed at the same level as the prior year. First year support is at the A+ (highest) level.
Logos maintenance and support contract information
Discounted maintenance and support contract rates
Logos Assistance
The following items are tools to help in implementing Logos Management Software in your parish:
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