Accounting and Advisory Services for Churches and Faith-Based Organizations

Churches and faith-based organizations exist to serve their communities. We take that mission seriously, and it shapes how we approach every engagement. Our team works with churches and faith-based organizations across Ohio to put the financial structure in place that protects congregations and communities.

Speak with an Faith-Based Organization Advisor

Years Serving Ohio Nonprofits

Professionals In Your Industry

Offices Across Ohio and Florida

Strengthening the Financial Foundation Behind Your Mission

Churches have unique financial responsibilities — donor-restricted funds, denominational reporting requirements, volunteer-led oversight, and the expectation that every dollar given is managed with integrity.

Our people understand that firsthand. Across Ohio, Rea professionals are actively involved in their own churches and faith-based organizations, and that connection to the community shapes how we approach every engagement.

We work with churches and faith-based organizations across the state to bring structure, clarity, and confidence to the financial picture so your leadership team can stay focused on serving the community.

Serving the Full Spectrum of Faith-Based Organizations

We work with single-site churches, multi-campus organizations, faith-based private schools, and other religious institutions across Ohio.

Some are small enough that a small team of volunteers handles everything. Others have formalized staff and reporting obligations tied to their denomination. Whatever the size or structure, we bring the same level of care, expertise, and commitment to every engagement.

Churches & Congregations

Multi-Campus Ministries

Faith-Based Private Schools

Synagogues & Temples

Mosques & Islamic Centers

Religious Camps & Retreat Centers

Denominational Bodies

Faith-Based Nonprofits

Advisors Who Know How Churches Actually Operate

Our faith-based organization team understands the accounting frameworks, compliance structures, and governance realities that make churches different from every other nonprofit. We work with finance committees, treasurers, and office managers year-round to keep the financials ahead of the decisions, not behind them.

A.J. Knapp, CPA

Principal

AJ leads our work with churches and faith-based organizations. He’s built long-standing relationships with organizations across Ohio, helping finance committees strengthen internal controls, track restricted funds accurately, and prepare for audits, reviews and agreed-upon procedures.

Connect with AJ

Michelle Thompson, CPA

Senior Manager, Client Advisory Services

Michelle works with churches and faith-based organizations on outsourced accounting. She brings structure and expertise to fund tracking, month-end processes, and financial reporting so that finance committees can make decisions with confidence.

Connect with Michelle

Mark Beebe, CPA

Principal

Mark leads our assurance work with construction and not-for-profit organizations. With more than a decade at Rea, he’s built a reputation for bringing technical depth and practical clarity to audits, reviews, and agreed-upon procedures — translating complex findings into solutions clients can actually use.

Connect with Mark

How We Work with Churches

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Restricted Fund Tracking

Churches carry dozens of donor restrictions, and most accounting software doesn’t track them well out of the box. We set up proper fund accounting within your existing platform and give the finance committee a clear view of what’s restricted, what’s unrestricted, and what’s actually available.

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Agreed-Upon Procedures and Internal Control Reviews

Whether your denomination requires an external review or your finance committee wants an independent check on how things are being done, we provide agreed-upon procedures and internal control assessments built specifically for church operations.

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Outsourced Accounting

When a church has outgrown volunteer bookkeeping, our Client Advisory Services team steps in. Month-end close, financial reporting, software setup, and the kind of consistent, structured accounting that lets leadership focus on ministry.

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Audits and Reviews

Capital campaigns, renovation projects, and new debt facilities all require a higher standard of financial reporting. We provide audits, reviews, and compilations to satisfy lenders, denominational bodies, or your own governance requirements.

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Policies, Procedures, and Financial Governance

Strong internal controls protect the organization and the people who manage its money. We help churches establish written financial policies, segregation of duties, and reporting structures that give the congregation confidence in how their gifts are being managed.

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Tax Compliance

Churches are exempt from filing Form 990, but there’s still several tax compliance issues to manage, from housing allowance structuring for pastors to unrelated business income on rental properties. We handle the obligations that come with operating a tax-exempt religious organization.

What Our Clients Say

Churches stay with Rea because the work builds the kind of financial clarity that strengthens trust within the congregation and credibility outside it.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

“I’ve worked with Rea for the last seven years as CFO at The City Mission. I’ve been pleased with both their professionalism and congeniality while carrying out our annual audits, but that’s only a part of the value they bring to our relationship. The Rea team has helped us to properly navigate some complex transactions while also offering strategic advice related to the organization and affiliated entities. They deliver excellent, responsive service and have earned my trust.”

– John Jelenic, Chief Financial Officer, The City Mission

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

“I’ve worked with Rea for the last seven years as CFO at The City Mission. I’ve been pleased with both their professionalism and congeniality while carrying out our annual audits, but that’s only a part of the value they bring to our relationship. The Rea team has helped us to properly navigate some complex transactions while also offering strategic advice related to the organization and affiliated entities. They deliver excellent, responsive service and have earned my trust.”

– Linda Uveges, Chief Executive Officer, The City Mission

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

“We have been working with The REA team for almost 10 years now. Our partnership with their team has only grown stronger over the years. Given the volatility in financial services over that same time period, that longevity speaks volumes! Their commitment to Christian-valued organizations like Cornerstone of Hope is carried out by their dedicated staff who serve our account. They are kind, efficient, and provide clear communication.”

– Mark Tripodi, CEO and Founder, Cornerstone of Hope

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

“Since 2021, we have trusted REA to review our internal controls and handle our financial statements (compilations and audits). Their team is professional, responsive, and provides clear, practical guidance that has strengthened our processes. Communication was consistent and timely, and they did an excellent job explaining technical matters in a way that was easy for our team to understand. We highly recommend them as a reliable and knowledgeable accounting partner.”

— Lisa Nichols, Business Administrator, Cornerstone Global Methodist Church of Marysville, Ohio

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

“Working with Rea Advisory has been a pleasure! Perhaps these are not words typically associated with financial audits, but the team at Rea makes the process clear. This is particularly evident in their excellent management of client expectations, the adherence to the engagement project timeline, and through effective communication.”

– Steve Clifton, Lifewise

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

“Working with Rea Business Advisors has been an outstanding experience for our nonprofit organization. From the beginning, their team demonstrated a deep understanding of the unique financial and compliance needs that nonprofits face. They’ve helped us stay organized, transparent, and fully aligned with reporting requirements, giving us confidence in every aspect of our financial operations.

What stands out most is their responsiveness and willingness to explain complex concepts in a clear, practical way. Whether it’s budgeting, audits, or day-to-day accounting support, they approach everything with professionalism and a genuine commitment to our mission.

Because of their guidance, we’ve been able to focus more on serving our community and less on navigating financial complexities. I would highly recommend them to any nonprofit looking for a reliable, knowledgeable, and mission-minded accounting partner.“

– Kevin Minard, Finance Director, Youth for Christ – Cleveland

Trusted by Churches & Religious Organizations Across Ohio

Our people don’t just work with churches — many are actively involved in them. Across our 15 offices in Ohio, Rea professionals serve on finance committees, volunteer in their congregations, and understand firsthand what it means to steward an organization built on faith. That connection to the community shapes how we approach every engagement.

Stay connected for church and nonprofit insights.