Getting Started Essentials

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To start using any software, some initial setup is required. The following steps guide you through the initial setup so that you can begin processing journals, running bank reconciliation, and paying vendors and employees. All video tutorials can be viewed from the Videos at a Glance page.

Note: Click the Help icon in the upper right-hand corner of any page in the program to receive more detailed information about that page. Click the Video icon to view a video tutorial on selected pages where a video has been produced.

General Ledger

The following steps create a company with periods, funds, departments, and a chart of accounts. There is also a step for creating Projects.

1. From the General Ledger menu, select Modify > Company Information. Click the Add New Company link, enter the basic information about your company, such as Name, Address, Phone, and Federal ID, then click the Update button.

2. On the Year and Periods page that appears automatically, enter the dates for your Fiscal Year, specify Period information, then click the Update button.

3. On the account structure page that displays next, copy your account structure and accounts from another company or a template, or manually create your chart of accounts. For this example, select the Templates option, then select 3 Church - Funds & Depts. Click the Update button to continue.

Note: To view PDF examples of each template, refer to the Templates note on the Year and Periods help page.

4. Review the Chart of Accounts summary that appears after the program finishes constructing your chart of accounts, then click the OK button to continue.

5. From the General Ledger menu, select Modify > Account Structure, then click the Settings link. Rename your Fund or Department description, change the account length, or select to use Sub-Accounts. Click the Save button when you are finished making changes.

6. (Optional) Establish Projects, which can be assigned to journal entries so that you can track the income and expenses for that project. From the General Ledger menu, select Modify > Project Information. Click the Add New Project link, enter a Project Name and any other information for the project, then click the Update button.

Bank Account Management

The following steps create a bank account for reconciliation and show you where to customize pre-printed and MICR checks.

1. From the Bank Account Management menu, select Modify > Bank Account Information. Click the Add New Bank Account link, then enter the basic information about your bank account.

2. (Optional) Select the Company/Bank Info tab and enter the Bank Account Routing #, Bank Name, and any other text, such as the address and phone number.

3. Enter information on the tabs for MICR checks and pre-printed AP and Payroll checks as appropriate, then click the Update button when you are finished.

Accounts Payable

The following steps set up how your company interfaces with the General Ledger and set preferences for your check stubs.

1. From the Accounts Payable menu, select Modify > Company Information. The Federal Tax ID Number is already populated with what was entered on the Company Information page. Enter your State Tax ID number in the State Number field. If you use an Accrual method, select the Accrual Basis option and enter your Payables Account #. Make any other modifications, then click the Check Stub Information tab.

2. Review the Check Stub Information options and select those you would like to use. In the Payment Methods section, select to use pre-printed checks or the MICR Plus checks. Click the Update button when you are finished.

Payroll

The following steps highlight the basic information needed to get started in your Payroll program.

1. From the Payroll menu, select Modify > Employer Information. Select the General Ledger Interface tab and enter the account numbers that correspond with each category. To skip interfacing with the General Ledger, uncheck the "Interface with General Ledger" check box. Review the Basic Information and Time Off Hours tabs, then click the Update button when you are finished.

2. Use the Time Off Hours tab to add new Time Off types or change the descriptions for existing types. Click the Update button when you are finished making changes.

3. Before you can process payroll, set up Compensations and Deductions, and then assign them to employees. These steps can all be done under the Modify menu by selecting Compensation Information, Deduction Information, or Employee Information.

Updated June 01, 2026 19:59