Beware the Holiday ‘Overpay-and-Refund’ Scam
A holiday-weekend “mistake donation” turned into a costly scam for one church when a fraudulent donor pressured staff into issuing a partial refund before the original gift cleared.
Internal Controls
Learn about the steps you can take to keep church finances safe and secure. Topics include preparing for an audit; preventing embezzlement; financial recording keeping, setting policies, and more.
Series: Financial Transparency for Churches
3 financial warning signs your church shouldn't ignore.
Part 3 of 3: When Church Financial Reports Don’t Tell the Truth
When financial reports show a surplus but the bank balance says otherwise, something’s off. Here’s how churches can build honest, readable reports that lead to trust.
Part 2 of 3: When One Person Handles the Money—How Churches Can Prevent Financial Risk
Even the most loyal and capable person should never carry the full weight of your church’s finances. Here’s how to share responsibility—and reduce risk.
Part 1 of 3: Why Every Church Needs Financial Oversight—Even When Trust Is High
Churches often avoid financial reviews out of loyalty, fear, or limited budgets. But real stewardship begins with clarity, accountability, and shared responsibility.
Keeping Your Church’s Deposits Safe in a Jittery Bank Environment
Silicon Valley Bank’s failure shows we never really know whether a bank is truly safe and sound.
Every Church Is at Risk for Fraud. Here’s Why.
Church Law & Tax’s nationwide survey shows churches of all sizes, ages, and locations are susceptible to financial misconduct.
Reporting Financial Crime as a Matter of Stewardship
Reporting financial crime in your church is a matter of stewardship, yet many church leaders report not doing so, or even knowing how.
Loved and Trusted: What Shocks Us Most About Fraud Perpetrators
A closer look at the men and women who steal from churches—and the red flags leaders should watch for.
Ten Steps to Consider When Embezzlement Is Suspected
How to respond when the unthinkable becomes a reality.
The High Cost of Fraud
ACFE study offers insights on why it happens, how it’s detected, and characteristics of both victims and perpetrators.
How a Church Responded When a Trusted Minister Embezzled Funds
Experts weigh in during a panel discussion on what happened.
Rich’s 15 Must-Knows for Pastors: Embezzlement Prevention
Implement an effective system of internal control.
Mastering Eighteen End-of-Year Financial Tasks
Mastering eighteen end-of-year financial tasks before January 1, 2026, will help churches and ministers thrive with the upcoming tax season.
The 10 Commandments of Church Management
The 10 commandments of church management cover everything from intellectual property to unrelated business income.
Fraudulent Email Scheme Costs Ohio Parish $1.75 Million
Two lessons for church leaders to draw from this unfortunate story.
Who Can Be an Authorized Signatory for Church Documents?
Understand key guidelines on authorized signatories for church documents and the implications of unauthorized signatures.
Determining Financial Policies for Your Church
How to identify the policies needed for sound financial management.
Q&A: What Do We Need to Know About Outsourcing Financial Tasks?
Keep these factors mind: cost, security, and savings.
Knowing When to Outsource Church Accounting Duties
Running a financially-sound ministry begins with knowing whether to outsource church accounting duties.