Church Bookkeeping Services from Milwaukee & Madison
Giersch Group serves churches of all sizes all over the nation from our offices in Madison and Milwaukee.
Bookkeeping services for religious institutions, charities & nonprofits from Milwaukee
Churches and other faith-based organizations benefit from knowing the numbers, as do the communities they serve.
Giersch Group is a family-owned accounting firm with decades of experience providing financial services to religious institutions and nonprofits. Our team specializes in streamlining complex accounting processes to help protect your assets and provide accurate financial data.
We offer flexible services tailored to the unique needs of churches, charities and other nonprofit organizations, including:
- Setting up and managing bookkeeping software
- Outsources bookkeeping and accounting
- Accrual accounting
- Payroll filing
- Pastor compensation guidance
- Donation recording and reporting
Accounting for religious institutions follows complex regulations. Our team is highly knowledgeable regarding the specialized tax codes and laws affecting church income.
Contact the Giersch Group today for a free consultation with our nonprofit accounting experts. We are happy to answer any questions you have about setting up accounting software or improving your financial processes. We provide bookkeeping services 100% remotely nationwide from our offices in Milwaukee, Brookfield and Madison, WI.
Accurate reporting of church balance sheets
Giersch Group recently took over the financials of a large, old church with a somewhat dwindling congregation. They were struggling financially despite having a valuable asset - their beautiful building.
While the church was able to generate some revenue by renting out space for events, their decreasing numbers meant scraping by each year. Upon reviewing their books, we noticed a major oversight - the substantial value of the building itself was not accounted for on their balance sheet. Many religious institutions undervalue their facilities on their financial statements. Giersch Group ensures all assets are properly appraised and represented, including your building and property.
Giersch Group helps religious organizations understand how to utilize assets and financial data to make strategic decisions to benefit their communities. Let us help you accurately represent your property so it can serve your congregation.
Giersch Group works with all religions
“I am extremely happy with the services we receive from the Giersch Group. They are extremely professional and very responsive to our needs. Couldn't be happier and I'd highly recommend them to anyone!”
--Rev. Evin Wilkins, Unity of Madison
Giersch Group provides financial services for religious organizations representing all faiths and denominations. Whether you are a Catholic church in Massachusetts, a nondenominational Christian church in California, a synagogue in Colorado or any other religious institution, we can improve your financial health. Our services are tailored to the unique needs and regulations of faith-based nonprofits.
We have experience providing:
- Bookkeeping and Accounting for Catholic Churches
- Bookkeeping and Accounting for Lutheran Churches
- Bookkeeping and Accounting for Baptist Churches
- Bookkeeping and Accounting for Methodist Churches
- Bookkeeping and Accounting for Non-Denominational Christian Churches
- Bookkeeping and Accounting for Synagogues
- Bookkeeping and Accounting for Mosques
- Bookkeeping and Accounting for Temples
- And more!
Giersch Group helps religious institutions better understand their finances to plan smarter for the future. Our team combines deep nonprofit accounting knowledge with our passion for helping faith communities thrive.
The location doesn't matter - our services are offered 100% virtually and are available nationwide. Contact us today to learn how our religious nonprofit accounting expertise can benefit your organization.
Optimizing Church Accounting with QuickBooks™
Giersch Group leverages QuickBooks accounting software to streamline financial processes for religious institutions. We customize your QuickBooks dashboard to meet the unique needs of churches and nonprofits.
QuickBooks includes options for church-specific terminology, contribution tracking, donor-restricted fund management and integrated payroll. We tailor your QuickBooks dashboard to track expenses by fund, program, committee or other categories specific to your church. QuickBooks automates tax calculations, deductions and day-to-day bookkeeping tasks to save you time.
As certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisors, our team provides training to your staff on how to maximize QuickBooks' functionality for your church. We help you get the most out of the software to improve financial oversight.
If your church currently uses another accounting platform, we can optimize your system and processes without requiring you to switch.
Popular church accounting software options:
- QuickBooks for churches
- FlockBase
- ACS Church Accounting
- Aplos church accounting software
- Fund accounting software for churches
- FellowshipOne
- PowerChurch Plus
- CDM+
Outsourcing church bookkeeping lets church leaders devote more time to the mission.
Giersch Group will help you compare programs, select software and implement new or existing systems.
Contact us for insights, training and advice on:
- Recording tithes and offerings
- Religious fund accounting
- Income and expense statements
- Preparing reports of financial records
- Creating budgets and financial forecasts
- Payroll administration for church staff
- Balancing petty cash, checking and investment accounts
- Preparing for an audit
- Tracking donations (including non-cash donations such as vehicles) per IRS regulations
- Establishing effective internal controls against error or fraud
- Reimbursing church staff for expenses in accordance with IRS guidelines
- Creating or administering a benevolence fund
Our church accounting experts can provide training, setup, support and optimization whether you need full or part-time assistance. Contact us for more information on how we can help your faith-based organization.
Bookkeeping Services for Small Churches
Even with a small congregation, church accounting and bookkeeping can quickly become complex for non-professional administrators. The unique tax regulations for religious nonprofits add another layer of complexity. Giersch Group's small church bookkeeping services are customizable, flexible and affordable. We understand the specialized needs of churches with limited resources and can provide as much or as little ongoing support as you require.
Giersch Group's affordable services allow small churches to benefit from specialized nonprofit accounting expertise. Contact us today to discuss bookkeeping solutions tailored to your small congregation.
Outsourced Church Accounting for Accuracy & Protection
Religious leaders often wonder if outsourcing church accounting is truly necessary. Unfortunately, financial fraud in churches is a very real problem, sometimes due to insufficient internal controls and assumed trust. For small and medium congregations especially, outsourced bookkeeping vastly improves accuracy and internal control to better protect your resources.
Giersch Group’s bookkeepers are specially trained in nonprofit religious accounting. We provide high-quality outsourced services at a fraction of the cost of an in-house accountant.
Benefits of our outsourced accounting service include:
- Accuracy: Our experts minimize errors in church accounting and bookkeeping.
- Fraud Prevention: Additional oversight identifies suspicious transactions.
- Cost Savings: No need for a salaried church accountant. Pay only for the services you need.
- Training: Improve the financial skills and literacy of your staff.
With outsourced accounting from Giersch Group, you can focus on your ministry with confidence in your financials. We act as an extension of your team to make your church's financial operations a well-oiled machine.
Strategic Management of Church Endowments
We often see two problematic approaches churches take when managing large endowment funds or buildings.
One common mistake is to become obsessed with the endowment. The church over-leverages it, borrowing heavily against it without a sustainable plan for when the funds run out.
Another issue arises when churches refuse to utilize their endowments at all. They ignore this major asset as if it doesn’t exist and prevent maximizing its potential.
Both approaches reflect a lack of understanding of how to strategically utilize assets. Endowments and buildings should be leveraged prudently as a plan to invest, generate returns and improve the church’s finances and community impact.
Giersch Group helps churches strike the right balance between preserving principles and leveraging endowments to further the congregation's goals. We guide sustainable spending rates, diversification strategies and accounting best practices.
We understand the challenges large and small churches face and can help your organization thrive again
Church CFO Services
Many churches lack the staff or volunteers to provide robust financial leadership and oversight. Giersch Group Offers Chief Financial Officer (CFO) services to fill this critical role.
While church accounting differs from other entities, congregations still benefit tremendously from the skills a qualified CFO brings. A CFO handles the business aspects of the church and proactively manages its financial affairs.
Key benefits of church CFO services include:
- Overseeing support systems for efficient operations
- Explaining the financial impacts of decisions
- Balancing budgets, projecting cash flows and strategic planning
- Defining and mitigating organizational risks
- Handling lower-than-expected contributions gracefully
A CFO provides the financial acumen to keep church finances on track and set long-term goals. Their financial guidance allows the pastor and staff to focus on the core spiritual mission.
Giersch Group offers experienced CFO consulting tailored to the needs of churches and religious nonprofits. Schedule a free consultation to learn how our strategic financial management services can optimize your church finances.
Church accounting services in southeast Wisconsin
Giersch Group offers in-office and virtual, nationwide bookkeeping services for all churches, whether you're located in Wisconsin or California. We have offices conveniently located in Milwaukee, Madison, and Brookfield.
Milwaukee County church bookkeepers serving: Downtown Milwaukee, Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Glendale, Fox Point, River Hills, Brown Deer, Granville, Butler, Wauwatosa, West Allis, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Greendale, Franklin, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee, Cudahy, St. Francis & everywhere in between.
Dane County church bookkeepers serving: Madison, Middleton, Waunakee, Windsor, Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove, McFarland, Fitchburg, Verona, Riley, Pine Bluff, Cross Plains, Springfield Corners, Black Earth, Mazomanie, Mt. Horeb, Belleville, Rutland, Stoughton, Kengosa, Deerfield, Monona & everywhere in between.
Ozaukee County church bookkeepers serving: Mequon, Thiensville, Cedarburg, Lakefield, Grafton, Saukville, Port Washington, Knellsville, Newburg, Waubeka, Fredonia, Holy Cross, Belgium, Dacada & everywhere in between.
Waukesha County church bookkeepers serving: Waukesha, Brookfield, New Berlin, Muskego, Big Bend, Vernon, Mukwonago, Jericho, Eagle, North Prairie, Saylesville, Genesee Depot, Ottawa, Wales, Dousman, Delafield, Oconomowoc, Monterey, Nashotah, Hartland, Merton, Town of Lisbon, Sussex, Lannon, Menomonee Falls, Butler, Pewaukee & everywhere in between.
Washington County church bookkeepers serving: Germantown, Hubertus, Richfield, Thompson, Ackerville, Hartford, Kirchhayn, Jackson, Cedar Creek, Slinger, Cedar Lake, St. Lawrence, Allenton, Addison, St. Anthony, Kohlsville, Wayne, Kewaskum, Boltonville, Fillmore, Cheeseville, Young America, West Bend, Nabob and everywhere in between.
Giersch Group bookkeeping services were started expressly for the purpose of helping people improve their financial management through the use of timely, accurate financial information. Contact Giersch Group today on behalf of your church or congregation. All services from Giersch Group are available 100% online, allowing us to help all religions anywhere in the nation get the professional and personalized accounting services they deserve.
Get a free accounting and bookkeeping consultation for your church or charitable organization.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Should a small church outsource a bookkeeper or accountant?
Yes. There are several ways a small church can benefit from outsourcing a bookkeeper. An expert increases accuracy, lowers bookkeeping costs and provides a missing link in internal controls. Accurate reports secure the financial health of any sized church.
Does Giersch Group have experience with nonprofit entities?
Yes. Giersch Group understands the unique accounting challenges for churches and works with entities of all religions. We're ready to guide you through special tax codes that affect donations, payroll and compensation packages.
Which accounting software is the best for churches?
As certified QuickBooks™ Online ProAdvisors, we're ready to train you in the best and most efficient software program for churches. Not ready to make the switch? Our advisors have experience in almost all popular accounting software programs churches use.