The Financial Controller (FC) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Joseph Adeyokunnu has rated high the performance of the accountants at both national and provincial level in the mission. Pastor Adeyokunnu gave this assessment at the end of a close door interactive session held with all the Pastors in charge of provinces, their assistants and the provincial accountants in Region 10 during the regional Accountants’ 3rd annual conference held at the Master’s Place, regional headquarter parish in Utako, Abuja with the theme, “The Impart of Good Internal Control System In Church Management.”
Adeyokunnu said since the inception of the conference across regions, great improvement had been recorded in the area of effective church financial management which has also informed a good working relationship between the accountants and the PICPs.
Responding to a question from one of the participants on a request by a pastor in charge of parish instructing his treasurer or a signatory to the church account to sign a plank cheque for a near future purpose, the financial controller said no such request should be honoured. He said no signatory to the church account should sign a cheque without knowing the amount and its purpose.
“Don’t sign a plank cheque for anybody because you will not be able to explain yourself of whatever is done with the money.” Adeyokunnu warned.
The Special Assistant to the General Overseer (Finance), Pastor Joseph Obayemi delivered a lecture on “Accounting Information System in a Religious Organisation.” Taking his text from 2Kings 6:8, he said information system is about to collect, process, store, transform and distribute pieces of data. He reminded the participants that accounting system is all the same in private, public and religious set up but for different products. Pastor Obayemi further expatiated on the various instrumentalities of accounting management.
In his response, Pastor in charge of Region 10, Pastor E. A. Ibitayo appreciated Pastor Obayemi, pastor Ayodele and pastor Adeyokunnu for honouring the invitation. He said Pastor Obayemi who was his former Pastor in Charge of Region, Region 12 has proved to be a father indeed to him. Adding, that he has learnt much from him and through him.
He described pastor Adeyokunnu as his friend, brother and colleague. He appreciated his commitment for an effective financial management for the mission. He prayed for God to help him the more.
Delivering a short exhortation, Pastor Ibitayo, said there are three divine internal control apparatus to be taken note of. According to him, “These are the Holy Spirit (Acts 1: 5-11), the Conscience (Acts 24:16,1Tim. 3:9, Heb. 13:18, 1Sam. 24:4-5) and the Word of God (Ps. 119:11, Ps 119: 105).” He enjoined the participants to make use of these apparatus and be more heavenly conscious while carrying out their responsibilities.
Pastor Omotayo Adeniyi, a renowned RCCG Church Master expert, in his lecture, titled “The Church Master and the New Development”, took up the accountants on the effective use of the church Master software for an unambiguous accounting records keeping.
Earlier, the conference moderator, Pastor Adeyemo, had enjoined the provincial accountants and their assistants not to lose their concentration on the purpose for which the mission has employed them. He advised them to take the opportunity offered by the conference to boost their professional performance. He further enjoined the accountants to develop a good interpersonal relationship among colleagues in order to promote a cordial working environment.
He eulogized all the accountants, treasurers and secretaries across parishes, Areas, Zones and provinces in the region for attending the conference. He said the purpose of the conference was toward ensuring an effective management of church resources.
In her closing remarks at the end of the three days conference, the regional accountant for Region 10, A/P (Mrs) Tope Oyeleye appreciated all that have come and urged them to put in practice all the training they had received for effective management of church resources.
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