Outsourcing payroll and bookkeeping to Christian Business Services (CBS) has brought a welcome sense of peace of mind to CrossPoint Baptist Church in Clyde North.
Like many churches, CrossPoint had found it increasingly challenging to stay on top of treasury complexities, including frequent changes to financial legislation and ongoing statutory reporting obligations. These pressures often diverted time and energy away from ministry. Partnering with CBS has helped remove this burden, allowing church leaders to refocus on their core calling.
“For us, they’re a lifesaver,” said CrossPoint Pastor David Young. “We’re very blessed to have a resource like this available to us. For me as a pastor, it’s a relief and a time-saver. We forward things to them and they look after everything – payroll, paying the bills, financial reports, etc. I have peace of mind knowing that all requirements are being met so that we’re compliant and well-placed when the church is audited.”
CrossPoint had previously worked with CBS Victoria Team Leader Dina Hartono in her former financial services role with the Baptist Union of Victoria (BUV). When those services were transitioned to CBS, Crosspoint made the natural move to CBS.
Churches that partner with CBS receive a comprehensive, end-to-end bookkeeping and payroll service delivered through a standardised and well-documented approach. CBS manages payroll processing, statutory reporting to the ATO, superannuation, and BAS obligations, using integrated systems including Xero, Employment Hero, and Dext. As a registered BAS agent, with experienced bookkeepers and accountants, CBS provides strong compliance oversight and ensures reporting deadlines are consistently met. Importantly, churches retain full access to their bank accounts and financial records, and benefit from continuity of service even when local church treasurers or CBS staff members are on leave.
CBS is a registered not-for-profit organisation and is supported by Christian Finance, allowing fees to remain significantly lower than many commercial accounting providers. These fees are often offset by efficiencies and savings identified through CBS’s standardised processes. The team guides churches through a structured onboarding process, can assist with tidying up historical records where required, and applies consistent controls to safeguard church finances. User-friendly software enables accurate processing, reduces errors and provides church leaders with clear visibility of their financial position.
David said the support from the CBS team had made a real difference. “Everyone I’ve spoken to at CBS has been incredibly friendly and helpful. CBS staff have gone above and beyond to support us and give us advice. The church is now in a more solid position, and we’re very grateful that the technical details are all sorted out.”
For more information about Christian Business Services, contact Dina on 0435 113 377 or email dina.hartono@christianbusiness.org.au or Shelley Bartels on 0417 970 042 or shelleyb@christianfinance.org.au