What are the benefits of using church accounting software?

There are several benefits of using church accounting software: Streamlined Financial Management : Church accounting software automates various financial tasks, such as tracking donations, managing budgets, and generating reports, saving significant time and effort. It helps streamline financial processes and ensures accurate record-keeping. Donor Management : Church accounting software enables effective donor management by tracking and recording donations, generating contribution statements, and maintaining donor contact information. It simplifies the process of acknowledging and communicating with donors, enhancing relationship management. Budgeting and Expense Tracking : The software facilitates budget creation and tracking, allowing churches to allocate funds appropriately and monitor expenditures. It provides insights into financial health, enabling informed decision-making and proactive financial planning. Compliance and Reporting : Church accounting software helps ensure compliance with tax regulations specific to religious organizations. It generates comprehensive financial reports required for audits, tax filings, and board meetings, ensuring transparency and accountability. Integration with other Systems : Many church accounting software solutions integrate with other church management systems, such as membership databases or event management platforms. This integration enhances data accuracy, reduces duplication of efforts, and fosters seamless information flow across various church operations. Security and Data Protection : Church accounting software often incorporates robust security measures to protect sensitive financial data. It may include user access controls, encryption, and data backup options, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or data loss. By leveraging these benefits, church accounting software helps religious organizations efficiently manage their finances, enhance stewardship, and focus more on their core mission and ministry.

How Much Do Church Accounting Software Programs Cost?

Most church accounting software is cloud-based and available on a monthly subscription. The convenience of having the platform online eliminates the need for churches to buy the resources required to operate and keep a system in-house. In most cases, all that’s needed is a computer with internet access. We found that subscription-based church accounting software typically ranges from $16 to $79 per month. However, you can still find church accounting programs going for up to $350 on the high end of the spectrum. There are a few free accounting software options, too, like ZipBooks. Many service providers offer tiered pricing options based on the features a church needs. Higher-tier solutions typically include more advanced finance features like payroll processing and advanced reporting.

Does a Church Need a Balance Sheet?

A balance sheet is a financial statement that provides a snapshot of a company's financial position at a specific point in time, including its assets, liabilities, and net assets. It is one of the three primary financial statements that a company will typically prepare along with the income statement and cash flow statement. Yes, a church, like any other organization, needs a balance sheet. Balance sheets are used to evaluate the financial health of an organization by showing the amount of assets it has, the amount of liabilities it owes, and the net assets or equity the organization has. It can also provide insight into the church's liquidity, or its ability to meet its financial obligations. Church leaders and members can use this information to make informed decisions about budgeting, fundraising, and stewardship. Additionally, balance sheets can be used to provide transparency to the congregation about the church's financial situation, and to meet legal and tax requirements. It also helps to demonstrate accountability and integrity to the donors, members and government authorities.

10 Best Church Accounting Software Of 2023

Tools

By Ashley Vaughan

• Last updated on May 18, 2023

Churches need to track assets and expenses like any other organization—but they also have some more specific requirements that certain more general accounting software won't support, like managing tithes, donations, staff payroll, event expenses, charity contributions (like a free meals program), tax exemption status handlings, and facility upkeep. Church accounting software can help you manage all these financial considerations.

In this article, I reviewed the best church accounting software on the market right now, including information about how they work, what each does best, key features, and integration lists (where applicable). I've also noted pricing and free trial information when available.

Best Church Accounting Software Shortlist

Xero - Best accounting software for small churches
MIP Fund Accounting – Best for flexible accounting reports
Sage Intacct - Best for scalability
ACS Technologies - Best for budget management
IconCMO - Best fund accounting for churches
PowerChurch Plus - Best all-in-one ChMS system
AccountEdge Pro - Best for small churches
ZipBooks - Best for free church bookkeeping
Botkeeper - Best for automated bookkeeping
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT - Best for financial planning & analysis

What is Church Accounting Software?

Church accounting software is a specialized software solution designed to help religious organizations efficiently manage their financial operations. It provides features tailored to the unique needs of churches, such as tracking donations, managing budgets, generating financial reports, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations specific to religious institutions. By automating and streamlining accounting tasks, church accounting software enables churches to effectively handle their finances, track their income and expenses, and maintain transparent financial records for internal and external stakeholders.

Overviews of the 10 Best Church Accounting Software

Here’s a brief description of each of the church accounting software on my list, showing what it does best, plus screenshots to showcase some of the features.

1. Xero - Best accounting software for small churches

Xero Screenshot — Xero uses an "accounts watchlist" to flag low balances in church fund accounts, plus they deliver in-app notifications for upcoming invoices and bill payments.

Xero is a cloud-based accounting software that allows businesses to manage their financials, including invoicing, bill payments, expenses, and bank reconciliation.

Why I Picked Xero: One thing that Xero is commonly praised for is its user-friendly interface and ease of use. Church leaders will find the software intuitive and simple to navigate, making it easy for them to manage their financial transactions and generate reports. This makes it great for small churches, who may not have time or energy to spend on learning new tools.

Xero can be used for church accounting needs by allowing the church to track their financial transactions, such as income from donations, expenses for events and programs, and payments for bills and expenses. It can also be used to generate financial reports, such as balance sheets and profit and loss statements, which can be useful for budgeting and decision-making.

Additionally, it can be used to manage the church's payroll and employee expenses, as well as track the church's assets and liabilities. Overall, Xero can provide churches with a comprehensive and efficient way to manage their financials, allowing them to focus on their mission and core activities.

Xero Standout Features & Integrations

Features include invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense management, financial reporting, payroll, multi-currency, mobile app, time tracking, collaboration, chart of accounts, and third-party integrations/add-ons.

Integrations include PayPal, Microsoft Outlook, MailChimp, HubSpot CRM, and others. You can access hundreds of more connections using Zapier, though it requires a separate subscription (free and paid options).

Xero Pricing & Plans

Xero pricing starts at $30/account/month, and they offer a 30-day free trial.

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2. MIP Fund Accounting – Best for flexible accounting reports

MIP Fund Accounting lets you run your church's accounts payable and accounts receivable processes in one interface.

MIP Fund Accounting is a financial management software specifically designed for nonprofit organizations, government entities, and other organizations that need to track and report on multiple funds or grants, with features such as fund accounting, budgeting, and reporting capabilities.

Why I Picked MIP Fund Accounting: MIP Fund Accounting is praised for its robust fund accounting capabilities, allowing organizations to track and manage multiple funds and grants effectively.

MIP Fund Accounting can also handle complex financial reporting, including government and grant reporting, as well as the flexibility to customize reports to meet the specific needs of their organization.

In addition to that, the software is also well known for its budgeting capabilities, that allow organizations to set and track budgets for individual funds or grants, and compare them to actual financial performance.

Overall, MIP Fund Accounting software is a powerful and comprehensive financial management tool that can help churches effectively track and manage multiple funds and grants, while providing the necessary reporting and budgeting capabilities to support their decision-making processes.

MIP Fund Accounting Standout Features & Integrations

Features include fund accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, accounts payable, payroll, general ledger, grant management, mobile access, and third-party integrations/add-ons.

Integrations include Diversified Billing, Martus, TripLog, Paypool, CUSI, and SkyStem ART.

MIP Fund Accounting Pricing & Plans

MIP Fund Accounting pricing is available upon request.

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3. Sage Intacct – Best for scalability

Sage Intacct Screenshot — Sage Intacct provides users a quick view of their financials so they can assess their church’s financial health easily.

Sage Intacct is a cloud-based financial management software designed for small to medium-sized businesses, that offers features such as accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and revenue recognition capabilities.

Why I Picked Sage Intacct: Sage Intacct is highly praised for its cloud-based architecture and scalability, which allows small to medium-sized businesses to access their financial data from anywhere and easily grow their use of the software as their church needs expand.

Sage Intacct can automate many financial processes, such as invoicing, purchasing, and revenue recognition, which can save time and improve efficiency. The software's financial reporting capabilities are also comprehensive, with real-time data, customizable reports, and drill-down capabilities that make it easy to access and analyze the financial information you need to make informed decisions.

In addition, Sage Intacct is known for its strong accounting capabilities, including multi-entity management, and its ability to handle complex accounting requirements such as revenue recognition and ASC 606 compliance.

Overall, Sage Intacct is seen as a powerful and flexible financial management software that can help businesses streamline their financial processes, improve efficiency, and make more informed decisions with real-time financial data.

Sage Intacct Standout Features & Integrations

Features include financial management, automation, financial reporting, multi-entity management, revenue recognition, accounting, budgeting, cloud-based, mobile access, and third-party integrations/add-ons.

Integrations include a host of tools, including Emburse Nexonia, Baker Tilly SaaS Intelligence, FloQast, APS Online, Yooz Accounts Payable Automation, RadiusOne, Workforce, and QCommission.

Sage Intacct Pricing & Plans

Sage Intacct pricing is available upon request, and they offer a 30-day free trial.

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4. ACS Technologies – Best for budget management

ACS Technologies Screenshot — ACS is a fund accounting software within a church management system that allows a church to manage contributions, cash flow, and financial records.

ACS Technologies is a provider of church management software that offers a range of solutions for church administration, including membership management, accounting, donation tracking, and communication tools.

Why I Picked ACS Technologies: ACS Technologies is highly praised for its church accounting features which are designed to meet the specific needs of churches. The software provides a variety of tools to help churches manage their finances, including donation tracking, budgeting, and reporting.

ACS Technologies provides a general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management capabilities, which enable churches to manage their financial information and produce financial statements. It also allows churches to easily track donations and pledge payments, including automatic deposit of electronic funds, and generation of donation statements for tax purposes.

ACS Technologies has great budgeting and forecasting capabilities that allow churches to set and track budgets, and compare them to actual financial performance. Plus, it provides a wide variety of financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, and giving reports, which helps churches to analyze their financial data and make informed decisions.

Overall, ACS Technologies is seen as a powerful and flexible church management software that can help churches streamline their financial processes, improve efficiency, and make more informed decisions with real-time financial data.

ACS Technologies Standout Features & Integrations

Features include membership management, contributions & donations management, financial management, event management, communication, reporting, security, mobile access, cloud-based, and third-party integrations/add-ons.

Integrations include ADP, Paychex, Vanco, Breeze, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, WordPress, MailChimp, Constant Contact, Facebook, Twitter, Tableau, Power BI, and others.

ACS Technologies Pricing & Plans

ACS pricing is available upon request.

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5. IconCMO – Best fund accounting for churches

IconCMO Screenshot — IconCMO allows you to handle your church’s tax-reporting requirements while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.

IconCMO is a church management software that provides tools for membership management, contributions and donations management, financial management, event management, communication, and reporting.

Why I Picked IconCMO: IconCMO is a church management software that excels in several areas like fund management, membership management, accounting, and collaboration.

IconCMO is super easy to navigate and intuitive to use. The interface is user-friendly and straightforward, making it easy for churches to manage their information.

IconCMO provides robust financial management capabilities, including accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and revenue recognition. Users appreciate the software's ability to track income, expenses, and donations and generate financial statements.

IconCMO does more than just accounting, too. It offers tools for tracking member information, including contact details, attendance, and giving history. Pastors can manage member information and create custom attendance and donations reports. IconCMO even allows churches to schedule, register, and track attendance for events, such as classes, meetings, and fundraisers.

IconCMO is a great "jack-of-all-trades" software with tools for modern church communications including email, text messaging, and social media, alongside everything you expect from a church accounting software.

IconCMO Standout Features & Integrations

Features include membership management, financial management, event management, communication, reporting, online giving, mobile access, security, cloud-based, and third-party integrations/add-ons.

Integrations include Vanco, PayPal, Stripe, Elavon, First Data, Authorize.net, ADP, Paychex, QuickBooks Online, Xero, Church Community Builder, Fellowship One, Planning Center, MailChimp, Constant Contact, Emma, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

IconCMO Pricing & Plans

IconCMO pricing starts at $35/account/month with additional charges for certain add-ons. They offer a 30-day free trial.

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6. PowerChurch Plus – Best all-in-one ChMS system

PowerChurch Plus Screenshot — PowerChurch Plus provides an all-in-one system that includes accounting, record-keeping, and membership management features.

PowerChurch Plus is a comprehensive church management software that provides tools for membership, donation, and event management, as well as accounting, reporting, and communication features.

Why I Picked PowerChurch Plus: PowerChurch Plus offers excellent financial management capabilities. The software provides robust financial management features, including accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and revenue recognition. PowerChurch Plus also allows churches to accept online donations and pledges, which can be a convenient option for congregants. The software also has a feature called General Ledger which allows churches to track financial transactions, expenses, income and other financial information which can be used for budgeting and financial reporting. This feature provides churches with the necessary financial information to make informed decisions and keep track of their finances.

PowerChurch Plus is a comprehensive church management software that provides a wide range of features to help churches manage their operations—not just accounting. One of the things that PowerChurch Plus does really well is its membership management capabilities. The software allows churches to track member information, including contact details, attendance, and giving history.

Additionally, PowerChurch Plus offers tools for managing member communications, including email, text messaging, and social media. These tools help churches stay in touch with their congregants and keep them informed of upcoming events and activities.

PowerChurch Plus Standout Features & Integrations

Features include membership management, financial management, event management, scheduling, reporting, accounting, communication, online giving, and third-party integrations/add-ons.

Integrations include Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Vanco, PayPal, Givelify, ACH Direct, QuickBooks, Peachtree, ACS Technologies, and IconCMO.

PowerChurch Plus Pricing & Plans

PowerChurch Plus charges a one-time license fee of $295.

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7. AccountEdge Pro – Best for small churches

AccountEdge Pro Screenshot — AccountEdge Pro enables users to handle their church’s daily financial activities like making payments, printing checks, or handling purchases.

AccountEdge Pro is a small business accounting software that provides advanced financial management and inventory tracking tools.

Why I Picked AccountEdge Pro: AccountEdge Pro is a comprehensive accounting software designed for small businesses (or churches) that provides advanced financial management and inventory tracking tools. AccountEdge Pro offers a wide range of financial management tools such as invoicing, billing, and tracking of expenses. It also provides detailed financial reporting and analysis capabilities, allowing users to track their business's financial performance and make informed business decisions.

AccountEdge Pro is designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate, allowing users to quickly and easily manage their finances and inventory. It also offers a variety of tutorials and support resources to help users get started.

AccountEdge Pro has inventory tracking and sales tax calculations if you sell anything through the church, like Bibles, t-shirts, or event tickets.

The one-time fee option for Windows is great for churches who aren't looking for a monthly software-as-a-service subscription, which can really add up cost-wise over time. One payment and you own it forever. Unfortunately, the single-use license isn't available for Mac, which offers a per-month subscription only.

AccountEdge Pro Standout Features & Integrations

Features include financial management, inventory management, contact management, sales tax, payroll, time billing, job costing, multi-currency, and third-party integrations/add-ons.

Integrations include QuickBooks, Salesforce, Square, Microsoft Excel, TSheets, Harvest, and most bank feeds.

AccountEdge Pro Pricing & Plans

AccountEdge Pro has a one-time fee of $499 for Windows users, while Mac users can avail themselves of the software for $15/account/month.

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8. ZipBooks – Best for free church bookkeeping

ZipBooks Screenshot — You can also use ZipBooks to view basic reports and stay updated on your church’s financial status.

If you are looking for a software package with a free forever plan you can use to manage your church’s bookkeeping needs, you may want to consider ZipBooks. ZipBooks is a cloud-based accounting software that provides small business owners with easy-to-use financial management tools. Though not church-specific software, it can of course be used by churches.

Why I Picked ZipBooks: ZipBooks is a user-friendly accounting software designed for small businesses and not-for-profits. One of the things that ZipBooks does well is its ease of use. It has a simple, intuitive interface that allows users to quickly navigate through the different features and functions, making it easy for even those with little or no accounting experience to use. ZipBooks also offers a wide range of features that help small businesses manage their finances, including invoicing, expenses tracking, and financial reporting.

Another strength of ZipBooks is its flexibility. ZipBooks can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, making it easy for users to access their financial information from anywhere at any time. Additionally, ZipBooks offers a variety of integrations that allow users to connect their accounting software with other tools they use in their business, such as payment processors, time tracking software, and more. This makes it easy for small business owners to manage their finances and streamline their workflow.

ZipBooks has the ability to automate many tasks and provide real-time data which helps in better decision making. ZipBooks is also cost-effective and offers a free version which can be upgraded to the paid one for more advanced features.

ZipBooks Standout Features & Integrations

Features include invoicing and billing, expense tracking, financial reporting, online payments, bank and credit card reconciliation, sales tax tracking, multi-currency support, time tracking, project management, team collaboration, customizable templates, mobile app support, customizable dashboards, data import and export, automatic bookkeeping, budgeting and forecasting, payroll support, inventory management, tax compliance, and third-party integrations/add-ons.

Integrations include Google Drive, PayPal, Slack, Google Workspace, Asana, Gusto, Spiceworks, and Enrollsy.

ZipBooks Pricing & Plans

ZipBooks has a free plan and paid accounts starting at $15/user/month.

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9. Botkeeper – Best for AI-automated bookkeeping

BotKeeper Screenshot — Botkeeper's Smart Connect feature makes pulling up bank and credit card statements easy for quick account reconciliation.

Botkeeper is an AI-powered bookkeeping software that automates financial tasks and provides real-time data insights for businesses.

Why I Picked Botkeeper: Botkeeper is an AI-powered bookkeeping software that is designed to automate many of the financial tasks that churches typically have to handle manually. One of the key features that Botkeeper excels at is its automation capabilities. The software uses advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to automate tasks such as data entry, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting. This allows church leaders to save time and reduce the risk of errors.

Another strength of Botkeeper is its ability to provide real-time data insights. Botkeeper is able to analyze financial data in real-time, providing churches with a clear picture of their financial health and performance. This allows them to identify trends, identify areas for improvement, and make more informed decisions about their financial strategies.

Botkeeper also offers a great customer support, which ensures that any issues or concerns are addressed quickly. The software is user-friendly and easy to navigate even for those with little or no accounting experience. Furthermore, Botkeeper is cloud-based, which means that churches can access their financial information and data from anywhere at any time.

Botkeeper Standout Features & Integrations

Features include automated bookkeeping, analytics, ai, financial forecasting, customizable reports, multi-user access and permissions, cloud-based access, mobile app access, 24/7 customer support, reminders and notifications, billing and invoicing, expense tracking, payroll processing, budgeting, and third-party integrations/add-ons.

Integrations include Stripe, Gusto, QuickBooks, HubSpot, LinkedIn, Hootsuite, PayPal, Zendesk, Kissmetrics, and Chargify.

Botkeeper Pricing & Plans

BotKeeper pricing starts at $55/account/month.

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10. Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT – Best for financial planning & analysis

Blackbaud Financial Edge Nxt Screenshot — Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT is a fund accounting software with financial planning and analysis capabilities you can use to prioritize expenditures like supplies or facility repair.

Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT is an accounting software specifically designed for non-profit organizations, providing tools for financial management, donor management, grant management, and reporting.

Why I Picked Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT: Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT can help churches in several ways. First, it can help churches manage their finances effectively by providing a single, integrated platform for financial transactions, budgeting and forecasting, and financial reporting. This can help churches to keep track of their income and expenses, manage their budget, and make informed financial decisions.

Second, Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT can help churches manage their donor relationships. The software has a donor management feature that allows churches to track donors, process gifts, and manage fundraising activities. This can help churches to better understand their donors, identify trends in giving, and build stronger relationships with their donors.

Third, Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT can help churches manage their grant funding. The software has a grant management feature that enables churches to track grants, manage proposals, and report on grant-related activities. This can help churches to identify new funding opportunities, apply for grants, and manage the grant-related processes.

Overall, Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT can help churches to manage their finances and donor relationships more effectively, while also providing tools to help them comply with regulations and find new funding opportunities.

Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT Standout Features & Integrations

Features include financial management, general ledger, accounts payable & receivable, budgeting & forecasting, and financial reporting, donor management, grant management, reporting and analytics, including, customizable reports and dashboards, automated workflows and approvals, multi-user access and permissions, mobile app access, expense tracking, payroll processing, and third-party integrations/add-ons.

Integrations include Paycor, Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT, Procurify, MineralTree Invoice-to-Pay, Bellwether PO and Inventory, Windward Core, DBxtra, MartusTools, WorkPlace Requisition & Procurement, Planning Maestro, DLS Financials, contactSPACE, and Endowment Manager.

Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT Pricing & Plans

Blackbaud pricing is available upon request.

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Other Options

Givelify – Best for mobile giving
Church360 Ledger – Best for easy ledger generation
ChurchPro – Best all-in-one church management solution
Aplos – Best ChMS for customizability
CDM + – Best for church event budgets
Church Windows Software – Best church database with financials tied in
MartusTools – Best for budgeting & reporting
ShelbyNext Financials – Best for complex church payroll needs
FlockBase – Best fully-featured & affordable option
Breeze – Best for ease of use
Elexio Church Financials – Best for denominational headquarters
Paxton Charities Accounting – Best for UK-based churches
ExpensePlus – Best for midsized churches
Jewel – Best for check payments & tracking
ChurchTrac – Best for monitoring funds

Need more than just church accounting functionality? Try church management software.

Other Church Financial Software Reviews

After reading this list, you may have decided you need something a bit more compact or robust than the church accounting tools listed above. Here are a few similar church software reviews that may help:

How I Selected the Best Church Accounting Software

Perhaps you're wondering how I selected the best church accounting software for this list? To build this top 10 list, I evaluated and compared a wide range of church accounting software with positive user ratings.

After determining my long list of top choices, I further honed my list by using the selection criteria below to see how each platform stacked up against the next one. I also drew on my years of church leadership experience to pinpoint the features that add a lot of value.

Selection Criteria

Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best church accounting software for this article:

Core Functionality:

Each church accounting software will be somewhat different but they must cover the following to be included on this list:

Ability to manage basic accounting functions, like accounts receivable/payable, payroll, and tax filings
Ability to be configured specifically for church-based needs, like tax exemption status and tithe collection profits

Key Features:

While each accounting system will be different, these are some of the most commonly found features in a church accounting software package:

Accounting: Covers aspects like accounts payable (AP), accounts receivable (AR), and a general ledger (GL). Given the nonprofit status of most churches, the AR functionality will usually work in unison with donor management, fundraising, or fund accounting functionality.
Payroll: Manages employee compensation: wage calculation, ACH deposits, check printing, and compensation tax reports.
Donor management & fundraising: Provides details like how much each member has given on a weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis and generates annual giving statements for tax reporting purposes. The feature also makes it possible to solicit donations with targeted campaigns and create campaigns to encourage smaller donors to contribute more.
Fund Management: Allot budget amounts to different projects or initiatives at the church and monitor spending on each account.

Ease of Use:

Usability is important when selecting church accounting software because it affects the ease and efficiency with which the software can be used by church staff and volunteers. A software with good usability is user-friendly and easy to navigate, reducing the time and effort required to complete tasks and increasing productivity.

Software Integrations:

Software integrations are important when selecting church accounting software because they allow the software to connect and share data with other software programs that the church may be using. This can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the church's financial management processes.

Value for Price:

Pricing is an important factor to consider when selecting church accounting software because it can have a significant impact on the church's budget and overall financial management. I've selected tools that range from free-to-use to a few hundred dollars or more per license.

Church Accounting Software Made Easy

American congregations across the country receive around $74.5 billion per year collectively. The right church accounting software can make a world of difference when it comes to managing the finances of your organization. It can help you streamline processes, save time and money, and provide an overall better experience for everyone involved.

Whether your needs are simple or complex, there is an accounting solution out there that meets those needs. The 10 options listed above have been proven to be some of the best church accounting software available on the market today.

10 Best Church Accounting Software Of 2023