This process allows me to share some rather personal comments/thoughts (and sometimes written Prayers)  about Ministry Finance issues during this month.  Please go to  0200  for further explanation and links to earlier JIM's JRNLs.  The four digit links  xxxx  below come from www.bcidot.org .  See list of Ministry Finance Lingo", or "Frequently Used Vocational Terms" at the bottom of this document.  If you would like to receive the next current  JIM's JRNL  during the first week of the next subsequent month,  please join the following Yahoo Group:   ---- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JIMsJRNL/.    Caution --- the non  www.bcidot.org  web links that I reference below do NOT necessarily imply my endorsement.  Further, if any of the links below do not work, let us know which one at LINK@bcidot.org.  Incidentally,  our more recent www.bcidot.org  Web Docs, or writings, can be found at 9712. and 9716.  

From:         Jim Bramer --- JimRetCPA@bcidot.org  
Sent:          Thursday, February 05, 2004 1:21 PM
To:             JIMsJRNL@yahoogroups.com
Subject:     Non web page January 2004 JIMs JRNL edition

Hi --

        We are having some web site oddities because of the recent computer virus going around, so I can not produce the usual JIMs
JRNL web page for the month of January 2004.  So I will send you this Email that contains the following:

===========================================================================================

        I read in our local newspaper about a Non-Church Christian Ministry here whose founder is being accused of using Ministry funds for personal use or like allegations.  This reminds me of at least the following needed internal  financial protocols for a Ministry of this kind --

>> Both the Founder and the Ministry "MUST" be protected from false accusations.

>> The Board "MUST" be independent of the Founder and not "cow tow" to the Founder -- especially with regard to Ministry finance issues.

>> Ideally the Founder, or close family member - like spouse, does  "NOT" make Ministry deposits and perhaps not sign checks alone.

>> The Founder does "NOT" function as would a sole proprietor of a business

>> Such a Board "MUST" set and monitor Ministry financial policies.

>> There should be prudent use of Internal and external Auditor resources.  Belonging to www.ecfa.org  is desirable.

>> Ministry credit cards should "NOT" be used for personal expenses. If it does happen, then personal reimbursement checks are to accompany credit card charge slips to the bookkeeper.

>> All Ministry expenses by the Founder "MUST" be documented and clearly show the Ministry purpose, etc.  Even to the extent of having a second Ministry person involved before there are such
transactions. There is a regular review by the appropriate Ministry entity of all expenses incurred by the Founder that could cause 'yellow or red flags;' especially employee salaries/benefits; travel, meals and lodging, etc. Avoid all "red flag" items. Thoroughly explain/document "yellow flag" items and perhaps have even three people involved in their approval, etc.

>> There "MUST"  be internal financial controls - or checks/balances of system methods and procedures

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JimRetCPA@bcidot.org  ---- Mica 6:8
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 Explanation or possible "Ministry Finance Lingo", or "Frequently Used Vocational Terms" appear below:

            CBA = Church Business Administrator, CBAer;  CMS = Church Management Software/System;  CPA = Certified Public Accountant;  GAAP = Generally Accepted Accounting Principles/Practices;  GPFund or GPF = General Purpose Fund; MFTeam or MFT= Ministry Finance Team;  QBOE = QuickBooks Online Edition;  QBooks or QB = Quickbooks; SPFunds or SPFs = Special Purpose Funds

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Click Here and go to a list of earlier JIM's JRNLs - Contact JimRetCPA@bcidot.org

This document was updated last on:  December 08, 2006