Once the salary and benefits are set by the appropriate church leadership based on recommended practices, it’s important to make sure the payroll is handled accurately and confidentially.

Because of the complicated nature of payroll, and especially when it comes to ministers’ salary, housing and other benefits, most congregations without a professional bookkeeper hire a payroll service.

• Make sure you are aware of all of the legal and other obligations as an employer.

• Double-check the accuracy of payments into pension and for all insurance premiums (health, dental, life and disability) and verify the amounts and percentages with each of the staff.

• Make sure that the appropriate payments to the pension and insurance companies are made

• Require time-sheets for all non-exempt staff.

• Advances against future salary should be permitted only in extreme emergencies.

• Offer direct deposit, if possible.