Read the fund accounting guide

Build a clearer church chart of accounts

Give every transaction a clear home. Start with a practical account list, adapt it to your church, and keep ministry funds separate from account categories.

Inside your free Excel download

  • Editable accounts for assets, liabilities, net assets, income, and expenses
  • Account numbers and plain-language descriptions
  • A separate fund-planning sheet and setup instructions

Accounts describe what happened. Funds track the purpose or restriction. You do not need to duplicate every expense account for each fund.

Get your chart of accounts

Choose what applies to your church. Download an editable .xlsx file immediately.

Include optional accounts

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A starting point for your account list

A preview of the workbook. Your download includes the full editable template.

Church Chart of Accounts Template preview
CodeAccountType
1010Operating checkingAsset
2010Accounts payableLiability
4010Tithes and offeringsIncome
5010Salaries and wagesExpense

Keep your next step connected

Start with the spreadsheet. When you need your giving, spending, funds, and reports in one ledger, explore Grain.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in the chart of accounts template?

An editable Excel account list with suggested numbers, types, and descriptions, plus a separate fund-planning worksheet and instructions. Optional payroll and facilities accounts can be included.

Are funds the same as accounts?

No. An account describes the nature of a transaction, such as supplies or salaries. A fund tracks its purpose or restriction. Use the same account list across funds where appropriate.

Can I import this directly into my accounting software?

This is a planning workbook, not a software-specific import file. Review the accounts with your bookkeeper, adapt them to your accounting basis, and map them to your software’s required import format.