Payment/Reimbursement to church - NOT Contributions

I need to know how to record certain reimbursements/"income" that the church I work at receives. I am aware that these would not be contributions.

1. Congregation members send payment for the materials used while participating in a bible study.

2. Good will donation for a meal served weekly during the fall and nightly during VBS.

The previous financial secretary trained me to enter this money as a negative expense. Having come from a business background, the church treasurer and I do not believe that this is good accounting practices.

Can you please let me know how you would record this "income"?
Would you create a new income line? Other suggestions?

Thank you for your assistance!

Michelle

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Aug 07, 2012
 Accounting for payments
by: Ken

I do not know what a 'negative expense' is and perhaps that is the way I record such payments.

Any 'income' that is reimbursement to the Church, ie. Bible Study materials, AWANA etc, I enter as income to that Budget item. That way it does not show up as Income and at the end of the year I can show just what that Budget item cost the Church.
Aug 07, 2012
 Thank you
by: Anonymous

That is what I mean by "negative expense".

Thank you for your input.

Michelle
Sep 28, 2013
 "negative expense"
by: Ken

Have you come up with a better way to record payments for materials than using a "negative expense" ? I am not an accountant so to me that seems to be a practical way of recording those type of payments and record them as income to your General Fund.
Sep 30, 2013
 "negative expense"
by: Michelle

No, we checked with our conference office and they stated that this is the best way to record these reimbursements.

Thank you!

Michelle

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