The Two Types of Church Financial Software
There are two different types of church financial software. They are known as Web-Based Accounting and the PC Based Accounting. Many advantages and disadvantages come with each type. Web-based accounting is one program on a web server that essentially runs everyone’s program. When it comes to web-based accounting, many people are unsure about the security and confidentiality of the entire process. In addition, if the program were to break down, all of the data could be completely lost. On the other hand, if you were to use web-based accounting, there would be an unlimited number of server resources. PC based accounting has its own advantages as well. Unlike the web-based accounting, you are able to control what goes on. The downside to this is the fact that your resources are limited.
Many people do not understand the difference between regular accounting software programs and church accounting software. Contrary to popular belief, it is actually quite different. This type of software is specifically built for churches, not for small businesses. For example, if you were to use this software, you would soon find out that the financial database is designed to record funds as opposed to sales. Normally, the program that you will be using will combine financial databases and membership databases. This makes things specifically easy, as you will only need to record your data once. Everything that your church needs in accounting software is already installed on these programs. This is why they are called church accounting software-they were designed for growing non-profit organizations.
For those who are not sure what to do and how to find an accounting program for them, the following church accounting programs work well: Church Windows and Power Church.
Church Windows is a program that has many different applications built to make accounting easier. These applications include:
- Membership is an application that helps keep family records and membership records and involvement.
- Scheduler helps with different church events. It creates a calendar of events that are posted on the church web site. It even works with the membership application in order to assign different members duties for each event.
- Contribution is created to help track member pledging and giving. It also creates reports and works with the financial application in order to transfer money easily.
The computer requirements for the Church Windows program are:
- 1GB of RAM or more
- Video display of 800 X 600 or better
- Laser or inkjet printer
- 1GB of disk space
- CD-ROM
- Windows 7, Windows XP SP-2, Windows Vista SP-1, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Server 2008
- Pentium IV processor or better on your desktop computer
Power Church software is a program that gives you two options for your church accounting needs. These options include: Power Church Plus and Power Church Online. Power Church online will let you access your data from any given computer that has Internet access. It is compatible with PC, Max, and even Linux. It costs $39.95 a month. Power Member Plus costs $295 plus a fifteen-dollar shipping fee. If you would like an upgrade, it costs $149 plus a ten-dollar shipping fee. Like the Church Windows program, Power Church Plus has features such as Membership, Contribution, Accounting, Events, Record Keeping, and Events. Unlike Church Windows, Power Church Plus has more in depth features to each application.
System requirements include:
- Windows 98 or newer operating system
- 350 MHz or faster processor
- 128 MB or more memory
- 100 MB or more free on the hard drive
As you can see, there is a difference between just two of the main church software systems that are on the market. When it comes to comparing each one, you really need to consider the needs of your church first. This is sometimes the best way so that you can match your basic needs to the best software for those needs. Since many of the applications have lots more to choose from in the way of options and standard items that are included, as long as your basic items are met, the rest is then “icing on the cake” so to say.