It’s no secret that this unprecedented pandemic has impacted all of us, with churches being no exception. Connecting with people in person, and bringing a community together under one roof, is an essential function of the church.
With COVID-19 forcing you to connect digitally and say hello from a distance, your life’s work has been put to the test. Beyond that, trying to keep your ministry’s doors open and plan for the future has been a big challenge.
At SBS Accounting & Advisors, we specialize in helping churches grow and succeed, bringing accountability and transparency to ministry finances to ensure that you are good stewards of the money with which God has entrusted you. Church is a huge part of my life and passion, and we believe our higher purpose is helping you.
While we have been working with churches for more than a decade, COVID-19 is something none of us saw coming. Even so, it’s an opportunity for us to learn and plan to make sure you are prepared in case of a COVID 2.0, or any other unforeseen event or circumstance.
Here’s how you can be ready if there’s a COVID 2.0, along with advice on how we can help you grow and succeed.
Apps and Automation
Are you still manually signing checks, perhaps having to take them to the pastor’s desk? What kinds of processes do you have in place to ensure you avoid potential fraud based on check-signing authority? With COVID-19, you could be scrambling to make this process work during these difficult times.
At SBS, we bring automation to these kinds of outdated, slow processes to improve your workflow and help you focus on what’s more important: serving your church. Helping facilitate this process is our accounts payable (AP) management app. When we bring together the integration of apps and QuickBooks Online – along with our knowledge and expertise – you’ll get powerful solutions to your everyday needs, including the flexibility to work anywhere, any time.
Go Paperless and Never Look Back!
We find that too many churches still rely on paper. Beyond being a security issue if the information falls into the wrong hands, too much paper hinders you and us from tapping into the tools and resources you need to reach your full potential.
At SBS, we will make sure you are paperless – or at least, handle less paper. This means having all of your bills, receipts, financial reporting and general ledger in the cloud. This will give us 24/7 access to your financial picture visually, helping us uncover the best course of action moving forward for long-term success. By being cloud-based, you can run your church from remote locations – a must during a pandemic.
Creating Cash Flow to Survive COVID-19 and Beyond
When it comes to making sure your church survives COVID-19, and thrives in the future, cash flow is an absolute must.
We find that all too often, many business owners either neglect cash flow or it simply goes over their heads. Doing this can cripple any business, with even one common cash flow mistake leading to painful consequences.
At SBS, we take great pride in specializing in cash flow management to make sure this kind of occurrence doesn’t happen to you. Cash flow management allows us to determine when you’re going to have a shortfall – and strategically plan to prevent it. Over time, we are able to build your cash reserves through strategies such as projections, budgeting, and key performance indicators (KPIs), unlocking the data and metrics that decide your church’s success.
Moving Forward and Working Together Toward a Greater Cause
As I mentioned, churches have a very special place in my heart, and I want to make sure you survive today’s challenges and a potential COVID 2.0 or other unforeseen impact, as well as thrive in the future.
I hope that these strategies and suggestions resonated with you and your situation. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, or to get started implementing these solutions moving forward. For more advice on achieving personal and professional growth during this tough time, check out our recent blog on reflection, recovery and transformation.