- - - Rejoice in the Lord always ... again I say Rejoice !!! - - -

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                            TO: Interested Ministries                                                                                                            FROM: Jim Bramer, Retired Auditor-CPA
                                                                                                                                                                                       FILE: 0063-07/all

                             RE: Glossary of Ministry Finance Terms                                                                               Originated  March 1998                                 

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         Below is a - GLOSSARY OF MINISTRY FINANCE TERMS ' from our perspective; plus various named URL/links (see the 0063-07 above, as an example) to applicable publications on this web site.

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A to B  (Actual to Budget) (51)

       Click here and discover more about Ministry Budget Terms

ADVANCE ACCOUNT

       Monies advanced to various Ministry officials in advance of their specific use thereof. Such Ministry official provides an accounting thereof and return the unused portion, etc.

"After the Fact" (ATF) Accounting System (50)

        Utilizing the resources of the internet, you weekly go to your Online Bank and Credit Card accounts and extract the latest transaction information from these Internet sources. Then you post this information to your bookkeeping system (preferably to an inexpensive older version of QuickBooks - QBs) so your records then mirror what your Bank and Credit Cards accounts say. Why do this? Because you then do NOT have to reconcile your Bank and Credit Card postings with what these statements say, or go through the usual Bank Reconciliation or Credit Card reconciliation process. Plus these important Credit Card transactions are then incorporated within the whole. Uncleared checks and credit card charges are minimal in significance when you do this weekly and control your spending accordingly. This is particularly helpful for Small Ministries and for BLVRs. Please  Click Here   for more information about such a system.

ALICE

An acronym for: A)ssets; L)iabilities; I)ncome; C)apital and E)xpense. Link is 0009

ALLELSE

   A generic "Bramer-ism" used for 'everything else'; often it supplants the need for the term "MISC".

ASP - Application Service Provider

    See 0904 for more complete information about ASPs and their utilization of the Internet to facilitate a Ministry Finance Team as any appropriate Ministry Finance Associate has permission to access financial information via such products as QBOE, or Quickbooks Online Edition via the Web.  Click here for more web applications info.

APPORTIONMENT  (24)

   Term used to describe the pre-approved distribution of discretionary money to DAGs; this is usually done on a weekly basis. Sometimes the term "Assignment" applies in these situations.  Link is 0002.  Used to describe the pre-approved distribution of discretionary money, or is applicable when a Ministry pre-determines ownership of each receipt dollar and maintains accounting records accordingly.  This applies in a church setting when money is assigned, or apportioned, each week to applicable Church DAGs  

ASSUROR (4)

    This is a title for primarily a "Ministry Helper;" see information and assignment tasks as set forth within both  0676.   Please also reference  LOYS  effort as discussed within this Glossary. This can be a formal or informal arrangement depending on whether or not the Ministry needs some type of limited written attestation from the ASSUROR.

AUDITOR - External

    Auditing by an independent outsider.  See Auditor-Internal below.  Sometimes this has different meaning to different people .  Please go to  0003 as to CPA audits; go to   2040  for some more perspective on some GAAP issues and audits.   

 AUDITOR - Internal 

    Please go to    0038   and  0676-as to the use of QBs, etc..   Fundamentally such a person is an insider who functions as a check/balance on financial transactions via the resident Bookkeeper.  The above links also speak to the "go between"  of the ASSUROR  and the Internal and External Auditors as the Ministry maximizes its Financial Internal Controls.

BIG PIX (31)

        An abbreviation for "Big Picture"  where the entire financial recap of a Ministry is found on one page.  Please go to  0601  for an example.  Please go to  5024  for a sample that includes a "Bldg/Constrn" endeavor.

BLVR -  BELIEVER IN THE  LORD JESUS CHRIST AS PERSONAL LORD and SAVIOR

   Used when referring to this unique group of Onliners, etc.  Sometimes we will use the term Christian Family Unit, as applicable.  Please also see the folder contents found at   RPFin  (Righteous Personal Finance).

BRAMER-ISMS (5)

    Various "Bramer-Grammar" established by Retired CPA Jim Bramer as used during some five decades in an attempt to better describe various unique accounting issues, processes and terms associated with Ministry Accounting.

BREC

    An abbreviation for Bank Reconciliation.

BUDGET

    Pre-approved financial spending - also -link to  0062  for Glossary of mostly Ministry Finance Budget terms.  Also see the term "PlanJect". Other links are  0010.   and  0211

BUXBOX (28)

    An alternative method to the expense line item budget process of the General Purpose Fund (GPF), or you place money into  BuxBoxes  for each of your GPF operating departments.  If there is a balance in the applicable BuxBox then buying can take place.  No balance in BuxBox no can buy.  The system can assist a struggling Church or Ministry as it lives within only the money placed within a  BuxBox.    Or a  BuxBox  method can be used as an alternative to the  Envelope  method used successfully by many Christians in their pursuit of Righteous Personal Finance.   Please  Click Here  for QBuxBox, or QBooks or Quicken,  information below.

CHART  OF  ACCOUNTS (23)

        Please go to 0069 for some Chart of Account Truisms and to  2035  for some Church Chart of Accounts samples via QuickBooks that should be helpful.

COMPERT

    Computer Expert at the local level; a "Bramer-ism" that is someone who is "Windows computer savvy" at the other end of a Onliner relationship.

COST EQUIVALENT

   Term used within context of inventory of Fixed Assets ... recommended that initial inventory estimate the approximate 'costs equivalent' for older items where the original cost records are not available.  See also "Land, Buildings and Equipment."

CROSS FUNDS (26)

    This term is used to show the degree by which the Ministry is doing business with itself. Example: the Operations will buy equipment and/or retire debt and it affects the Assets and Liabilities shown within the LB&E Fund. Also the General Purpose Fund (GPFund) might SetASide money and it appears as a credit in the Special Purpose Fund (SPFund) area for that particular purpose; Intra-Cross Funds = when money that goes form GPFund department to another GPFund department; Inter-Cross Funds = when money goes to/from from the GPFund to a SPFund.  Extra-Cross Fund = when it goes from one set of QBooks to another.   The consolidated/combo net corporate effect of all cross funds is zero.

DAG - Dollar (Department) Accountability Groups (6)

    Maybe you are like me ..... you like the comic strip that includes Dagwood (the Jerk) Bumstead .... or Dag .... and his dear wife, Blondie (the Saint).  Well this have nothing to do with him.  The acronym emphasis is Ministry areas that are subject to a specific Ministry Team Leader who has money responsibilities for a certain Ministry focused area.  Go to  2028  for an example of DAG use within QBooks.  Also go to  5109  for DAG applications via QBooks Fund Accounting Method Three.

DEFRAYMENTS  (13) 

    The dictionary tells us that Defray, or Defrayments, basically means "expenses are incurred and then are reimbursed."  A Ministry "Bramer-ism"  is that many Ministries have programs where they pay the necessary expenses and expect Defrayments reimbursements of most all of these expenses by applicable program users.  These "self funded" endeavors seldom receive more Defrayments than expenses.  A Ministry does NOT classify Defrayments as Ministry income, but as expense offsets within their operating statements.  Click here for samples. Church Defrayment samples are AWANA,  VBS,  Sports Program, and Camping endeavors.  Go to 0041 for further Defrayments information.  Also go to 5023 for more perspective of this matter. Of course, none of these Defrayment payments are tax deductible.

DEPRECIATION - BLOCK (19)

       Depreciation is now required when year end   GAAP  applies.  But it really isn't that difficult. We advise against laboriously accumulating the amount of depreciation since date of acquisition on each piece of fixed asset in inventory. We recommend that all items be annually classified within life spans and you use the "block method' of depreciation computation by year and by life span as set forth in detail within  0033  and referenced at  0125  .  Plus, as explained within  0030  ,  such entries have nothing to do with the Annual Operating Budget ---  it is a once-a-year process that shows up within the GAAP compliant annual reports. See  0069  as to NOT reflecting Depreciation throughout the year.

DEPUTIZE at a MISSIONARY ORGANIZATION   (52)

       A Tax Exempt Mission Organization has Missionary Units (Individual or Family, etc.) who "Raises" money to pay for their individual Missionary effort via the Missionary Organization.  When done correctly, the donor can take a Tax deduction for said payments to the Missionary Organization for the approved benefit of their Missionary Unit.  For more information,  please go to www.ecfa.org and search on their web site for a ."Deputize" publication.

DESIGNATIONS

    Money that has certain internal, or Board,  'strings attached'  requirements.  Also see "SetASides." Also see Link contents of:   0070     0094

DIBS  - Daily Interest Bearing Savings

    The thrust here is to leave 'float' in a 'Daily Interest Bearing Savings" account until the last possible day. Link is 0006

DIRECT  DEPOSIT

    An electronic process that is explained more in depth within   0035   

DISCRETIONARY

     Term used to declare that there are no 'strings attached' to such funds.

DONAMAIL (37)

    A contraction of the word "DONATION" and the word "MAILING"; the rationale is that names/addresses etc are common to both.    In my experience, it is unwise to maintain a constituent or donor's address etc in more than one place, or you place such info into QuickBooks (QBs), for example, for donation processing and then you use some other database for mailing and related purposes, etc.  The ideal is to have such info into one place so that you can establish and update such vital name/address data once and not twice, or more, etc.  In essence, it is critical for you to have a DonaMail product which responds to your special needs for both Mailing (both Email and Snail Mailings), or contact, with your constituency plus, of course, the Donations Accounting. Non Donation or Constituent/Donor Profile issues include. Such a computer database  (DonaMail)  system accommodates both Pledge and/or Donation processing/record keeping and the necessary people info/contact management as needed by the Ministry. In Churches,  the term C>hurch M>anagement S>ystems (or Software) --CMS-- is often used.  Please link to  0021 for more details..

DONATIONS-RESTRICTED

    Contributions/Gifts/Donations that have some  'strings attached'  as requested by the Donor/Giver; or there are some USE "preferences."  We use "preferences" because the Ministry Board still must make the final USE decisions.

DONATIONS-UNRESTRICTED

    Contributions/Gifts/Donations that come into the Ministry with no 'Please use' preferences. The Ministry's Board concludes how to spend, etc. Often referenced as money coming into the General Fund, or General Purpose Fund.

DRAFT

    A draft is a check written but is post dated  ( Click Here)  for an example of Parents making school Tuition-Fee payments) and is handled as a regular check per the date of the Draft-Check.  Also ask about the use of these tools by BLVRs in pursuit of Righteous Personal Finance in their management of Plastic - Credit Card - purchases.

E-MINISTRY

        Electronic aspects of Ministry financial transactions. See link 0035

ECCU - EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN CREDIT UNION

    Located in Southern Cal, but can be linked to certain local area Banks --- Like Bank of America and certain aligned Credit Unions. 

eEnvelope

        See  0400  and  Click Here  for a list of resources about the eEnvelope Spending Control system designed to make effective use of computer software and assist Christian BLVRs prudently spend their money by placing all receipts in the equivalent of  pre-arranged Envelopes and only spending any balance thereof.

EFT - Electronic Funds Transfer

       EFT stands for E>lectronic F>unds T>ransfers that happens when you make arrangements to have the bank write a check equivalent (see existing debit cards of today) to a approved payee.  Usually this is done automatically each month so you don't have to remember, etc.    

ENDOWMENT (27)

    An arrangement whereby a group of assets are left usually with a tax-exempt Ministry - often intact. And the net income from the investment of such assets benefits certain named area(s) of the Ministry.  See  0903  for some Endowment and Quasi-Endowment information.

EQUITY

    The difference between the recorded Assets and Liabilities; Equity represented by Net Assets is assigned to applicable Special or General Purpose Fund Balances.

EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT

    A term describing money collected by DAGs. As apposed to use of the term "Income"; often a DAG Focus Group only collects a portion of the actual expenses needed to carry out the chosen Ministry. This appears in the Financial Statement as an Expense Offset ..... not as an operating income ... but still clearly shows to what extent it covers the applicable expenses.  See also Defrayments.

EXAM

    A "Bramer-ism" term used in conjunction with a miniature financial audit .... Fiscal Exam .... which results in fiscal area grades. See Link 0129.

EXCHEQUER (38)

      The  "Chancellor of the Exchequer"  is the title of a British cabinet minister who is responsible for their government's financial affairs.  Or  Exchequer  has to do with with money, finances, treasury, funds, etc.  I understand that this term has something to do with the Checkers game.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REPORTS

    Declaration of financial facts intended to give "BIG PICTURE" info to those who should know. See also KITS info. Link also to 0045.

EXPENDITURES

    Sometimes used to emphasize that outlay of resources includes operating items as well as Equipment Procurements and Debt Servicing. See Link  0067.

FINANCE POLICIES

  Our definition of policy is "something that you always do or something that you never do ..... within a specific set of circumstances."  For more detail re Ministry Finance Policies, please Link to  0081..

FINFAX or FINFACTS

    A "Bramer-ism" term that is sometimes used for reporting of  Christian Ministry  "financial facts."  Please go to  FinFax  for details about this system.  Also Click Here and learn about a FinFax Accrual Basis equivalent accounting system.

FINCOM - FINANCE COMMITTEE

  A Board Committee. Link to 0029. for more information on this topic.

FIXED ASSETS

  Another term for Land, Building and Equipment; furniture; vehicles. Link to  0033  for more information on this topic; including depreciation at Ministries and capitalization of acquisitions during the year.

FLAGABLE (14)

  This is another  "Bramerism" that is used to alert a Ministry Finance Onliner reading within  www.bcidot.org  of the waving of  "yellow" or "red flags" or  "watch out !! ", etc.  See Onliner documents   0039  ,  0002  and  0923  for an example of Flagable topics or items.  The purpose is to warn of a need that should be remedied.

FREQUENTLY USED TERMS

    An Onliner to  www.bcidot.org  will often find such "Frequently Used Terms" information within a paragraph of many of our Online Documents, or WRIT (Writings).  The purpose is to be a quick reference for Onliners as they read that particular Onliner Document.   

FLOAT

     The time between when a check is released and the time it gets to the Ministry's Checking Account at their bank. Good management thereof via a Daily Interest Bearing Savings account can often provide a good yield. Link to 0006.

FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES  (17)

 The intent of Functional Expense categories is to inform the reader of the year end report just how much money was spent for direct Program Expenses of carrying out the exempt purpose of the Ministry plus the two types of essential overhead costs of  Management/General and the needed Fund Raising . In our opinion, this is applicable to mostly publicly supported Ministry as they are expense classifications within the context of fiscal year end only requirements of  GAAP .   Of course, such Functional Expense information is also needed for filing IRS form 990.

FUND BALANCE

    That portion of a Financial Statement (see Photo) which shows who belongs to the net assets .... the QB accounting system references this area as "Equity". This is divided between such Fund Balance areas as: Special Purpose Fund Balances and General Purpose Fund Balances.

FYE - FISCAL YEAR END

As apposed to the calendar year end, or 1/1/xxxx to 12/31/xxxx.

FMV - FAIR MARKET VALUE

    In a Ministry setting, it is usually the dollar amount booked for non cash gift items. A definition is: "what a willing buyer will pay for an item to a willing seller with both knowing all the relevant facts."  See Link  0055.

GAAP-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

    The 'according to hoyle' way of reflecting accounting transactions and their results in financial reports; especially for such reports to the public. Basically standards formulated by the Accounting Profession. See Link  0004.

GIK - GIFTS IN KIND (22)

    Donations to a Ministry of tangible non-cash gifts; examples include stocks/bonds, auction items, real estate  plus items like supplies and products.  Sometimes property is sold to a Tax Exempt Ministry at less than its real value -- there is a tax deductible gift involved here. As set forth in  0058  , this does NOT include people's donation of time, etc.  These 'in kind'  gifts are then converted into cash or used internally in furtherance of the Ministry's exempt purpose. See content in link 0055

GPFUND - GENERAL PURPOSE FUND

    Money controlled completely at the discretion of the Ministry Board for the General Exempt purpose of the Ministry. Generally controlled by pre-approved spending budgets. See Links  0601 and  0041

GRANTS

    Money going out to a qualified recipient; often Missionaries or Mission Organization; or any other party receiving money that is an 'offering' in nature. As apposed to making payments in return for goods or services.

HOMERS (10)

    Homers can be any Ministry Helper who can efficiently serve primarily remotely using the resources of modern day communication and the Internet.  But it is often Moms who want to stay at home with their kids and yet they need to earn some income; primarily using the Internet and their Computer systems.  Homers can also be retired, or semi-retired, "Keen-Agers"  who want to be productive in like manner so they make themselves available to Christians or Christian Ministries.  See content of  0905  for more details.  I trust you find the content of  1211 also of interest.

IMPREST

    A flat sum of money on the books (either cash or a separate bank account) that is used for specified purpose. The expenditures hit the books only when money is disbursed by the Checking Account to reimburse such Imprest Accounts. See Link  0112.

INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROLS (18)

          The definition of Internal Financial Controls  includes: "When steps and procedures by which what one independent person does in carrying out their financial tasks becomes a check and balance on what another independent person does."   An entire financial transaction is NOT done by one person only. Please go to 0039  and see other aspects of Internal Financial Controls.

INTERNALS

    A succinct way of saying "Internal Financial Reports/Statements" as needed within a Ministry for good financial stewardship.

 INTERNET FRIENDLY (or Internet Centric)-- (29)

       When I use these terms ( Internet Centric or Internet Friendly) I mean those of us (not just our young people) who have a fast connection and go to the Internet minimally once a day to do such things as search the Internet and, of course, receive and send Email.  As to their personal finances, many have their provider (such as Net Pay or Retirement Income) electronically make deposits of such income to their bank account, They also are comfortable doing their personal finances via Internet resources that includes paying their bill electronically and accessing Online their Bank Statement and Credit Card Statement.  Please Click Here for access to a website started in July 2006 called SPENDING CONTROLS - Jesus Savior Pilot me ---- also see various Internet Centric(or Internet Friendly) features when you go to 1211.

JIMS JRNL

        Click Here for an Alpha list of topics within the 2007 editions.

KITS - KEY ITEM TREND STATEMENT  (9)

    Usually a columnar financial report of chosen Ministry key items as followed on a monthly basis. Very much like Executive Summary issues. See Link  0045.  A similar term is "BIG PIX" as seen in the following: 5012 and  5022.

LB&E - Land, Buildings and Equipment

    Financial Reports that pertains to Balance Sheet and Changes in LB&E Fund Balances. Reporting of Non-Cash resources covering these assets plus Loans that apply to the LB&E only. LB&E acquisitions plus principal payments are often made by Operations and reflected within the LB&E Fund at least annually. See Links 0033 and 0018.

Line of Credit (32)

    Loan provided by a financial institution for short term unexpected borrowing purposes.

LINGO - Ministry Finance

            An Onliner to  www.bcidot.org  will often find such "Ministry Finance Lingo or Frequently Used Terms" information within a paragraph of many of our Online Documents, or WRIT (Writings).  The purpose is to be a quick reference for Onliners as they read that particular Onliner Document.  

LOYS - Looking Over Your Shoulder 

    Services provided, usually Online, by a qualified helper to a Ministry that includes reviewing the method and content of a Ministry's set of books.  This is facilitated when the Ministry can either attach a set of books file (such as Quickbooks) to Email, or make like arrangements via various Internet services now available. Also be aware of our LOMS (Looking over my/JRB shoulder) tool as Onliners are invited to look at the content of our desktop.

MEMO ACCOUNT (ING) (15)

        Means by which financial information is placed within financial reports but such info does not affect reporting of GPFund operations/fund balance or SPFund operations/fund balances.  For more perspective please read  Two Sides of the Same Coin.  See   0102   for more information in reporting status of the Land, Building and Equipment Fund  in this MEMO fashion.

MER - Ministry EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT  (8)

     A term often found in a Mission Agency setting.  Portions of the designated contributions for a particular Staffer is determined to be an 'Ministry Expense Reimbursement' and not therefore applicable for Staffer Income taxation purposes. See Link  8505.

MFTEAM - MINISTRY FINANCE TEAM

     Sometimes functions as an alternative to the Board's Finance Committee. Also may go by the name MinFinTeam or MFT. See Link  0000.

MFT-TEAMMATE (25)

        A term used by Brad Pendable when he refers to colleagues that serve with him on various Ministry Finance Teams (or Board Finance Committees).   Examples are found at:  3333  and   3444 

MIFI - MOST IMPORTANT FINANCE ISSUES (11)

     A generic "Bramer-ism" used to encourage Ministries to exert energy on such prioritized items. See Link   0122.

MISSION RESERVES

     Certain money set aside by the Board to cover anticipated and Upcoming Missionary costs.

MOM-POP Ministries (56)

     Small Churches,  Mission Organization or any "Not for Profit" endeavor who handle $99,999 or less per annum

NAT (NATURAL EXPENSES) (20)

   A way to identify kind or types of expenses; usual samples are: Salaries/Benefits; Operating supplies (per detail needed); Operating expenses (per detail needed); includes Cross Fund (per detail needed). As apposed to 'why' the expense, or Ministry or Program ID, or grouping.

NET INCOME

     A QB term appearing in the Balance Sheet within the Equity area that represents the difference between this FYE's Income and Expenses. It is the GPFund Balance at a certain point in time.

NET EFFECTS (40)

     Another  "Bramer-ism"  that is used as a type of expense within the GPFund when it covers what the Participants do not pay for all of the expenses with a Self Funding activity or event;  examples are:  AWANA, a missions trip, VBS, etc.  It is often agreed that they do not pay for all of the expenses and the GPFund budgets accordingly.   Plse note that  Cross Fund   issues apply here.

NOUT  (12)

      A  "Bramer-ism"  for sums of money flowing "In and Out, or Nout (get it??) " of some type of "Clearing" account.  While such accounts are always  "Pass Thru"  activity suspects,  they are helpful means of handling appropriate accommodation transactions.

ONLINE BANKING

   Use of the Internet, and allied Computer Finance Systems (like QB), that allows you to daily access your Bank Account activity and balances.

ONLINE BILL PAYMENTS

     Use of the Internet and allied Computer Finance Systems (like QB) to pay certain of your bills. Eliminates the need to produce a paper check and place within the mail. The recipient either gets a paper check produced by your agent or it goes directly to their checking account. Often used for automatic deposit of Staffer's net pay. See Link 0035.

ONLINER

     An individual who goes Online and communicates with us --- usually via Email .  Hopefully  these people are members of a Ministry Finance Team as we pursue issues and topics of interest to such a group.

OPERATING EXPENSES

     A generic term used to cover such expenditures as: Salaries/Benefits and a variety of Supplies and Expenses. This activity might flow within either the SPFunds or the GPFund.

OPERATING RESERVES

     Certain money set aside by the Board to cover unanticipated Operating Expenditures.

PETTY CASH

    Please go to  0112  and learn about applicable Imprest Petty Cash funds and Checking Accounts

PHOTO FINANCIAL STATEMENT  (2)

     A non accounting term used in place of "Balance Sheet, or "Statement of Financial Position". Especially when reporting the day to day status of Operational activities. Some have even used the term "FinPhoto".  The purpose is to have the reader understand that this is the "Point in Time" status of certain Assets, Liabilities and Equity or Fund Balances. See also reference to a GPFund VIDEO  Financial Statement which shows the activity of its Income and Expenses for a "Period of Time". See Links 0084 and 0086.

PIX - short for "Pic-ture"

    As used within  5012  to report the "One Page Big -Pic-ture" financial information at a Church.  

PJECT - PLANJECTING

     An alternative term for the word "Budget"; since the Ministry has applied the principal of converting plans to dollars as final spending budgets are determined and authorized. See Link  0053.

PJECT TO ACTUAL

     An alternative term to "Actual to Budget." See the term PlanJecting, or PJecting.

PLASTIC

   As supplied by Debit or Credit Card arrangements. See Links  0114A  0114B  and 0050.

POLICIES,  FINANCE  (35)

   Our definition of policy is "something that you always do or something that you never do ..... within a specific set of circumstances."  For more detail re Ministry Finance Policies, please Link to  0081.

POOL (33)

     The total money on hand or deposited. The emphasis is to view it as a total and not "marry" any of it to specific Fund Balances so you can efficiently make short term investments. See "Pool" and/or "Daily Interest Bearing Saving.".

PROG (PROGRAM EXPENSES)

     A way to categorize expenses by operating unit; or Ministry and/or Program ID -- groupings. This concept closely ties in with DAGs. See DAG Info; as apposed to Natural expense, or kind of expenses ... see NAT info.

QB (or QBs) is an abbreviation for Quickbooks

    Link to 0601 for details of using QBs for Ministry Fund Accounting.

QBuxBox (39)

    Click Here and go to BuxBox above - The QBuxBox system primarily uses QuickBooks Pro or QuickBooks Online Edition ( see QBOE below)  (maybe Quicken)  for spending control or BuxBox purposes.  -- we sometimes also use the term "QBox" .  Pease also go to  Spending Controls  for access to a web site specifically on this topic.

QBOE via the Web - Quickbooks Online Edition via the Web

    Access 0801 for more details about this product and its prospective use by Ministry Finance Teams.

QVE - QUITE VIRTUAL ENVELOPES

     This is a method for handing personal finances by placing bank deposits within "virtual envelopes" ... as if you were placing green stuff in actual envelopes.  Since the envelopes serve as spending borders (you can only spend envelope content) you can monitor/control your finances in this budget alternative manner.   The "Q" could also stand for a Computer "Quicken" system which might also facilitate the recording of Credit Card charges within the applicable "virtual envelope."   See Link 4011.

REPLICATION MINISTRY  (1)

     This is generally a Ministry that receives money and turns around and uses it to benefit another Ministry as per their purpose statement.  Examples are:  Church Capital Investment Organizations,  Credit Unions and Subsidiaries.  Such Ministries provide a yield for anyone's investment, and then they turn around and loan money for Church or Ministry endeavor or facility.  The money is used in a replicating fashion --- aspects of "having your cake and eating it too," or the same dollar is serving you as the investor as well as someone else, or a Ministry.  Replicating Ministries are excellent vehicles for  Endowment  funds. See Link 0083.

RPFin - RIGHTEOUS PERSONAL FINANCE

     This term is used within the context of BLVRs using their financial resources in a scriptural manner. This person is being a good steward of financial resources. See Link  4011

SCHAR

A  Bramer-ism  for Sch>ool A>ccounts R>eceivable ---- Schar. See Link 7010.

SCRIP

       A method of Fund Raising done primarily at Churches and Schools.  Please go to 0101,  0064  and  0639  for more details

SELF EXAM

        You do the exam yourself.  Obviously, you need to be as factual and honest about your financial goings on as possible --  you likely know more than some outsider.  Click Here  and access some helps, but the real issue is for you to make the needed betterments.

SETS  OF QBOOKS  (16)

        This is unique to such software as QuickBooks.  As explained further within the  0127  link, and in others,  it means that the Ministry uses multiple QBooks Companies (separate files), or sets of self balancing accounting books.  Sometimes the term "satellite" also is used to describe this arrangement.

SETASIDE  (30)

     Generally a process by which the Ministry charges the current General Purpose operations for an item and placed the money within one of the Special Purpose Funds .... usually for an upcoming future purpose. See Link 0088.

SMALLMINS (Small Christ-Centered Ministries) (55)

      Churches, Mission Organizations, or any type of "Not for Profit" endeavor who handles $500,000 or less per annum.

SPENDING CONTROL

    This term obviously means that you have some discipline in this aspects of life.  Generally this implies that a budget is in place.  After July 2006 , please go to  www.qbuxbox.org  for some designed assistance in this finance area that applies to both Christian families or individuals plus small Ministries who handle $500,000 per annum.    

SPENDING GROUP

    Another term for a Ministry focus group who spends money.

SPFUND - SPECIAL PURPOSE  (Spoken For) FUNDS

     Money or Funds provided by Donors for a particular Board approved special purpose; the expenditure is controlled simply by any residual balance remaining in the specific fund; pre-approved expense budgets are seldom applicable. The Board often sets aside certain discretionary funds for an assigned Special Purpose. See Links found at:   0601  0041. 0070 and  0094

STRINGS ATTACHED

     Money comes in with certain Donor or Board restrictions and/or designations.  See SPFund above.

SWEEP

     Procedures that includes: The deposit goes to your Bank Account; the bank honors all checks and "sweeps" the balance into a Daily Interest Bearing Savings account. Per the Bank's records the Bank Account always has a zero balance. See Links 0006 and 0043.

TRUISM  (21)

     Statements, or declarations, that show unique finance and accounting principles and/or precepts (Truism).  These often are a 'rule of thumb'  that primarily apply to managing and reporting of such matters at a Ministry. See Link 0069.

URL - Universal Resource Locator

     A web site address for a specific page or file; for example, we normally use a set of numbers, or 0063-07, as a URL for directing Onliners to this Glossary of Ministry Accounting Terms on our Web Site.  The term "link" means the same thing.

VIDEO FINANCIAL STATEMENT  (3)

     As a part of the General Purpose Fund (GPFund) thrust, a non accounting term used in place of the accounting terms: "Income Statement, or Profit/Loss Statement". Some have even used this term "FinVideo".  The concept is to have the reader of the financial statement understand that this report covers the flow of the GPFund Income and Expenses for a "Period of Time." As apposed to the PHOTO  Financial Statement (Balance Sheet, etc) reflecting the status of a Ministry's Assets/Liabilities/and Equity/Fund Balances at a "Point in Time".   See Links 0084 and 0086.

VIRTUAL DEBT SERVICING

    A Church increases its General Purpose Fund budget to include the amount of anticipated Mortgage payment (Debt Servicing) on money that it knows it will need to borrow in order to complete its Building/Facility Construction project.  This Board Discretionary money is placed in the Church's own Building fund.  We recommend these steps because the weekly giving must ultimately be enough for such a actual Debt Service payment. See 5019 for more info. 

WEB BASED APPLICATION

    Software that is available using the Internet, or the Web.  See ASP above.  You do not buy software and place in on your computer; you access and use via the Internet.

WRIT -

     Types of Online Document communication devices -- especially within BCIDOT.ORG. Almost all of our Onliner communiqués end with following:

     A WRIT (Writing) may be applicable to all Ministries, or it may be designed for just groups like: Evangelical Church, School, Missionary Agency or Organization, Christian Camp / Conference, or other named group. Our Writings formats include the perspective of JIMCPA@BCIDOT.ORG via IOMs Inter-Office Memo to the Ministry Finance Team (MFTeam); THRDs, a hypothetical Online conversation with members of the MFTeam; GLEANINGS, or Scripture within context of the MFTeam; FWIW; A periodic editorial (For What it is Worth); TRUISM, or believed Ministry Finance principles; FAQ, response to Frequently Asked Questions; ACADEMY, or Ministry Finance course and sample material; RESOURCES; known Helps means for the MFTeam - mostly via Jim@bcidot.org ; and TIDBITS; Odds/Ends that do not fit above .... mostly Ministry Finance discoveries, brief thoughts and comments.

YTD - YEAR TO DATE

     Normally means the number of months since the first of the fiscal operating year.

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   The bulk of this publication originated in March 1998 and was - UPTD: July 05, 2008  -- Contact: Jim@bcidot.org 

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