Synod Connection

Budget/Actual form, Remittances, Reporting and ELCA Fund IDs

Welcome synod treasurers, administrators and bookkeepers!

This information is for your use in meeting your responsibilities for financial reporting and remittance of funds to the ELCA Office of the Treasurer.

There are three primary financial communications with the churchwide office:
  • Synodical Budget/Actual Form
  • Synod Monthly Remittances
  • Financial Reporting—Audited Financial Statements

    • Completion and Submission of the Synodical Budget/Actual Form
    Synods are asked to submit their annual operating budgets and their year-end results to the ELCA Office of the Treasurer. The Synodical Budget/Actual Form provides the data in a consistent format so that trends in synod revenue and expenses can be accurately and fairly compared and analyzed. Use of this form is also recommended by the Blue Ribbon Committee approved at the 2007 Churchwide Assembly and endorsed by the ELCA Conference of Bishops.


    Submission of Synod Monthly Remittances
    Instructions, forms land tools are provided to help you use your synod software to submit the monthly synod remittance (SR-1) to the Office of the Treasurer.


    Financial Reporting Requirements
    Synods are required to provide the office of the Treasurer their audited financial statements on an annual basis. Please mail them to the address below:
    Mailing Address
    ELCA Office of the Treasurer
    Attn: ELCA Controller
    8765 West Higgins Road
    Chicago, IL 60631

    Synod Guidlines: Internal Controls Best PracticesPDF Format
    In order to exercise good stewardship and care of the resources entrusted to it, the synod should establish and maintain good internal control and accounting policies. This document describes major financial activities and related best practices in order to assist the synod in establishing its own system.


    Sample Synod Treasurer Position DescriptionPDF Format
    Synods may incorporate the use of this position description when filling or defining the roles of their treasurer position.


    ELCA Fund IDs 
    A quick way to denote a synod's monthly gift is by using the ELCA Fund ID.