Finance, TAX & Legal
Tax & Legal update with the sommervilles
Session B
Presented By: Frank & Elaine Sommerville
Join Frank and Elaine Sommerville as they review 2025 law changes that will take effect in 2026 and 2027, as well as current cases and rulings providing guidance on the application of tax and employment rules to faith-based tax-exempt organizations. 2025 has been a big year, so there will be a lot to discuss and review. From core changes to payroll filings and benefit plans, to guidance on private benefit and private inurement, as well as updates in critical areas of employment law, this session will cover a wide range of topics.
CAS: Client Advisory services
Sessions A & C
Presented By: Ashley Voss & Jonathan Tucker
CPAs perform many traditional services like Financial Audits, Reviews, and 990 Preparation. However, more often, churches and other nonprofit organizations need their accountants to do something else—something more nuanced. In this session, attendees will learn:
1. The four main types of Client Advisory Services (“CAS”).
2. CAS pros and cons.
3. How to maximize CAS for your leadership and decision-making.
Financial audits, reviews, and other cpa services
Session D
Presented By: Ashley Voss
CPAs perform many services like Financial Audits, Reviews, Compilations, 990 and Financial Statement Preparation. However, you may be unsure about the differences, or which service is right for your organization. In this session, attendees will learn:
1. The two major types of CPA services and their variations.
2. Pros and cons of Audit vs Review vs Compilation.
3. Answers to your unique circumstances and needs.
Faithful Finances: A Comprehensive record book for small churches
Session A
Presented By: Lee Ann Crockett
Not every church requires bookkeeping software to be good stewards of their finances. In this session, we will cover the basics for maintaining church financial records and offer tools to help you create a monthly operating statement and giving records. In addition, we will provide guided checklists for important financial functions, such as payroll and budgeting, and discuss how to work with only one financial person and support that individual to achieve good checks and balances.
the most common financial mistakes churches make
Session B
Presented By: Lee Ann Crockett
In this workshop, we will have a practical discussion, with examples, about the most common financial mistakes that churches make. These mistakes are related to pastor pay issues, contractors vs W-2 decisions, love offerings, donations receipts, accountable reimbursement plans, mission trips and fundraising, a lack of checks and balances, and more.
Church policies every church should have
Session C
Presented By: Lee Ann Crockett
This workshop will cover the reasons for and examples of important church policies that every church should have in writing. These policies include a Giving Policy, Benevolence Policy, Building Use Policy, HR Policy, and Children’s Ministry Policy. You will leave with not only knowledge but also sample policies that your church may consider adopting.
Fraud: It can’t happen to us—practical steps to limit fraud from your organization
Session D
Presented By: Lee Ann Crockett
This workshop will introduce the why and how fraud happens, and more importantly, how your church can take practical steps to protect your finances and your staff from the appearance of any impropriety. You will go away with checklists your church can use to perform “surprise audits” and policies you can establish to ensure checks and balances are in place that will limit your exposure to fraud.
Lawyers, guns, and money
Session B
Presented By: Annissa Obasi
Join us for a rapid-fire discussion of the most common legal, security, and financial issues faced by houses of worship. This Q&A session provides an opportunity for ministers, as well as church staff and volunteers, to get answers to their most pressing questions on these topics.
Texas Sales Tax—What you don’t know may cost you
Session D
Presented By: Elaine Sommerville
Religious nonprofit organizations often fail to understand how the exemption from paying Texas general sales and use tax may be safely used in their operations. Even more often, organizations fail to realize that the exemption from paying sales tax does not extend to collecting sales tax on sales of certain items. This session will explore the proper use of the sales tax exemption as well as define various activities that may create a responsibility to withhold and remit Texas sales tax. We will also discuss solutions for curing previous mistakes in this arena.
Retirement planning for pastors
Sessions A & C
Presented By: Joshua Jurek
Planning for retirement as a pastor is unique and has specific opportunities and challenges to consider. We will cover five key strategies pastors need to know as they plan for retirement. They will walk away with a deeper understanding of needed financial habits, diversified retirement income, unique tax planning opportunities, social security, and specific financial risks.
mission of the church: what do your financials reveal?
Session C
Presented By: Sandy McClure
The mission of the organization should be incorporated into all aspects of accounting. From budget to financials, the mission and goals of your organization should be directly reflected. Transparency and communication are key. Let’s walk through process steps to properly present our mission statement.
Financial statements and the stories they tell
Session B
Presented By: Sandy McClure
Financial statements are more than numbers; they reveal key insights about budgets, forecasts, future trends, and risks. In this session, we will discover what stories others are looking at and interpret when they see your financials. We will also discuss AI and how it can impact your story.