Frequently Asked Questions
About Jewel
Can Jewel be used on a network?
Yes. However, if two or more computers are doing the same function, such as entering contributions, then the computer that started the operation must be the one to close/finish the operation.
Can Jewel be used for the bookkeeping of an Independent Ministry? There is no tithe or remittance check used.
Yes. If you have no Conference Funds in your Account List, then Jewel will skip the remittance check step of the month-end closing.
Can I have more than one database on one program of Jewel?
Yes. You'll just need to make sure the file names are different, and be careful to put the correct data into the correct database. To open different databases, go to File → Open Database. Select the database you would like to open, then click Open.
Can I run Jewel on a Mac Computer?
Yes. However, Jewel is a Windows-based program. So you must install Windows on your Mac, which generally requires a Windows Emulator application.
How much history can my Jewel database hold?
As much as you need it to! Jewel keeps all data in a compact format, so you can access all data since you started using Jewel. We started in 1999, so some churches now have over 25 years of data accessible at the click of a button!
Opening, Backing Up, or Restoring a Database
How do I set the backup path?
From your Jewel Home Screen, go to Maintenance -> Properties -> General tab. After inserting your USB drive (also called a memory stick, thumb drive, removable storage media, etc), click Browse, and in the window that pops up, select your USB drive. Click OK twice to return to the Home Screen, and try backing up again.
I get Overflow Error 6 when I try to back up! Help!!
Go to Maintenance -> Properties -> General tab. With the USB drive still inserted, click Browse, and select your USB drive. Then click Make New Folder, and type a name such as "Jewel Backups". Click OK twice to return to the Home Screen. All issues should now be resolved.
How do I restore a backup?
Go to File → Utilities → Restore Full Backup. Find the location where the backup is stored and select the backup (.jlb) file, then click open.
When I try to open my database, an error message comes up saying the file has been moved, deleted, or renamed. How can I open my database?
First, go to File -> Open Database, and look in the Documents\Jewel folder for a file named "Your Church Name.mdb". Select and open that file. Look at the dates of last offering and last check in the lower right-hand corner, and the current month in the lower left-hand corner to verify whether this is the correct database. If it isn't, search your computer for other files with a similar name and check them. If you still can't find your database, you can restore your most recent backup, if that's more recent than the database(s) you've found.
I can't open my database received from the auditor. And/or there is a Windows error message when trying to open database directly from my memory stick. Why can't I open the database?
You are probably trying to open the database with something other than Jewel. Remember: Your database can ONLY be opened IN JEWEL!! You will get error messages when trying to open it any other way.
It is not month-end, but I want to make a back up of my database. How can I perform this process?
From Jewel's Menu Bar, go to File → Create Backup Copy. This will back up your database to the drive specified under Maintenance → Properties → "Create Backup Copy" Destination, the same location you back up to at month end.
Installation and Setup
I am installing Jewel on a new/different computer. However, when trying to download and install, my security system flagged Jewel as a virus. What do I do?
Jewel does not have a virus! Your security system objects to *.exe files being downloaded and run. You will need to tell it to "keep", "run anyway", click "see more", or turn off the security system temporarily until Jewel is installed.
My Jewel window doesn't fit on my screen. How can I adjust the size?
Go to your Windows settings and adjust your screen scale and/or resolution until the problem is resolved.
Deposits
My AdventistGiving deposit report's cut-off date is September 30, but it doesn't get deposited until October 6. Which month should I record it in?
In general, donations should be recorded in the same month the donation was initiated, regardless of when you actually receive the funds. Since the report contains donations that were initiated between September 16 and September 30, the deposit should be recorded in September.
I have donations that were postmarked, or were delivered to me, by December 31, but because of the timing, the actual deposit date is in January. Is it ok to post these offering in December when they aren't deposited in the bank until January of the next year?
Contributions must be posted in the year they are delivered by the donor. Delivery date is the earlier of:
- The postmark date or electronic donation send date -- contributions/donations mailed to the church must be postmarked/sent no later than December 31
- The date when the donation is/was actually received by the church or church treasurer.
You should deposit these funds as soon as possible! When you do your December bank reconciliation, these deposits will simply be accounted for as "Uncleared Deposits". They will then clear when you do your January bank reconciliation.
NOTE: Sometimes people give an offering call on the first Sabbath of the new year, telling the congregation that checks contributed on that day can be credited to the previous year if they are dated no later than December 31. This advice is incorrect and should NOT be given!! Checks "delivered" (as defined above) in January should be posted in January, no matter what the date on the check or the tithe envelope is!
Checks
What check paper format does Jewel use?
Same as Quickbooks format, which is one sheet with check at top and 2 stubs below. This blank check paper can be purchased at any office supply or major online retailer. Jewel will print all of the needed information on the check paper. You can also buy preprinted checks in this format, but this costs significantly more than having Jewel do the printing.
Can I delete a check in Jewel?
No. However, you CAN void checks. To void a check, click on Accounting, Void a Check. Select the check you wish to void, verify the memo field, then click OK.
Conference Funds / Remittance Checks
My Conference Funds balance is negative. What happened?
The mostly likely cause is a returned check from a donor. Jewel will automatically subtract that negative amount when calculating your next remittance check.
My Remittance Check doesn't match the Conference Fund contributions for this month. Why?
Several things could have happened. A returned check from a donor, a deposit entered after your remittance check was written (you would have needed tech support help), a correction made to a donation in a previous month, or voiding a previous remittance check are all possibilities. There should always be a traceable reason for the difference.
Bank Reconciliation
How do I get rid of all the old uncleared transactions that are hanging out in my Bank Reconciliation?
Any deposits over 30 days old, and any checks over 90 days old should be researched and corrected. If you have outstanding offering deposits, contact your tech support. To deal with outstanding checks and other transactions, see the instructions for dealing with different types of transactions and for making corrections.
Budget
Our monthly budget was not met. How does this affect the monthly budget allocation?
The dollar amounts will be allocated as usual, even if that results in a negative balance in the Church Budget account. Percent amounts will only be allocated from funds remaining in Church Budget after distributing dollar amounts, so may not receive any funds. The shortfall will hopefully be made up for in future months. If not, the church board may need to reevaluate its budget and spending.
Oops! I messed up!
I accidentally closed the month too soon. Can it be reopened?
Yes. Contact your auditor/tech support. They can reset your NextStep button and allow you to finish and reclose the month.
I completed my bank reconciliation, but then realized I made a mistake. What can I do?
Click Reconcile on the Jewel Home Screen, select the bank account you were working with, and click Reconcile. On the right-hand side, click Undo Last Reconciliation. This will allow you to re-do the reconciliation correctly. Note that you can only undo the most recent reconciliation. If the problem is farther back, contact your tech support for help.
How do I send my database to my auditor/tech support for corrections?
- Contact your auditor/tech support either by phone or e-mail and let them know a) the name of your church, b) the name of your conference, and c) what corrections need to be made.
- Go to File → File Transfer → Send to Auditor. Jewel will immediately send your database to your auditor.
- Wait for your auditor to complete the database correction. Wait for them to contact you - via phone or email - to let you know the database is ready to be received.
- Now go to File → File Transfer → Receive From Auditor. Clicking on "Receive from Auditor" and confirming that you wish to overwrite your database will replace your current database with the corrected database from your auditor. Do NOT Receive from Auditor without being instructed to do so, as this will cause loss of data.