[LCFinance] saftware feedback appreciated

[Ellen F. Chambers]

Jim, I work at First UMC in Fuquay Varina.  We use Church Windows for everything (contribution, payroll, accounting.)  It is absolutely great for contributions, and I really have no complaints about the accounting piece, although I find it a bit more cumbersome that QuickBooks, which we used previously.  Although I believe the general feeling among financial people would be that ACS is the "gold standard" for churches, it is quite expensive.  We looked at it when Church Windows was chosen, but found it was too expensive for a smaller church.  I will say support for Church Windows is really good, and I have no real complaints about the software.  I use QuickBooks for another client, and think it is perfect for a small business, but not adequate for churches because it does not do true fund accounting.  Church Windows does that quite well.

 However, I want what the guy who said he'd quit if they stopped using it has!! 

Good luck.

Ellen Chambers
FUMC Fuquay Varina


----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jim Shaw Photography 
  To: LCFinance at listserv.nccumc.org 
  Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 1:33 PM
  Subject: [LCFinance] saftware feedback appreciated


  Greetings all.

  As the new chair of finance at McMannen UMC, I'm looking for some guidance and feedback from this group.

  Specifically we are in search of a new software package to support the Financial Secretary and track and report our incoming contributions. This would integrate our membership database and provide more functions as we grow. Some of the packages we are reviewing include Church Helpmate, Membership Plus, PowerChurch, Servant Keeper, and Shepherd's Staff.

   

  Can you folks share your experiences and thoughts (good and bad) about any of these? Is there a "gold standard" or one package that is head and shoulders above the rest? Is there a package that we do not have on our list that is worth a look?

   

  Just as a quick poll.what is your church using?

   

  Thank so very much for your help in this.

   

  Jim Shaw


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