Jewel Handbook

How to Use Your Handbook

Welcome to the Jewel Church Accounting System! Thank you for choosing Jewel for your church's local accounting needs. Jewel is designed to make your work as local church treasurer as easy and enjoyable as possible. We understand that most of you have taken time out of your busy lives to volunteer your time and effort for your church. This handbook is just one more way to make Jewel even easier for you to use. It is also a means for you to get help without needing to contact tech support. It is divided into three parts: Part I: The Local Church Treasurer, Part II: Using Jewel, and Part III: For Future Reference.

Part I will give you information about your actual role as church treasurer and your specific responsibilities. We will also give you a little background into fund accounting, which is the type of accounting you will be performing as part of a non-profit organization. Maybe the most important part of this book, Part II will show you how to actually USE Jewel for your accounting needs. We provide you with the detailed, step-by-step process of setting up as well as all procedures you will encounter with Jewel. This will prove very useful to you, especially if you are a first-time Jewel user. Part III is simply a reference for your convenience. It provides a description of the reports you can find in Jewel, as well as Frequently Asked Questions. Part III is meant as an easy way for you to find the information you need - without having to call tech support!

We recommend that you read Part I and II before you begin using Jewel. It doesn't take long to read, but will give you a great advantage as you begin using Jewel, especially if this is your first time! Let this Handbook guide you through the set up process, weekly contribution recording, month closing, and year-end. Use Part III as a reference for when you have specific questions about a topic. The best way to find information in this Handbook is to use the index. The index provides a list of topics (in alphabetical order, as well as by procedure) and will give you the page numbers where you can find the information you are looking for.

Introduction

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. —Malachi 3:10

The local church treasurer holds a position of high responsibility. He or she is the custodian of all funds passing through their local church. They are therefore responsible for the monies given to further the Lord's work. Part I of this handbook is an effort to aid the treasurer in understanding their specific responsibilities as well as the basic principles of church accounting. The majority of this section is based on the "Local Church Accounting Manual" printed by the General Conference Auditing Service. Please refer to this manual for a definitive, detailed description of the treasurer's responsibilities.