Business Details
Trusted Accounting Services for Churches, Clergy, and Nonprofits
Ascension CPA specializes in providing tailored accounting and tax solutions for churches, clergy, labor unions, and nonprofit organizations across the United States. Founded by Jamie Ward, CPA, and Cassidi Heltcel, CPA, in Oklahoma City, our firm combines decades of accounting and banking experience with a deep understanding of the unique financial challenges faced by these specialized sectors. We prioritize clarity, transparency, and personalized service, offering no-hassle pricing and upfront fee structures to ensure clients know costs before work begins. Our team delivers comprehensive services including bookkeeping, payroll processing, tax preparation, CFO support, and strategic financial consulting. We are committed to building long-term relationships with clients, focusing on their missions rather than just their numbers, while maintaining rigorous compliance with evolving tax codes and regulatory requirements.Our expertise extends to housing allowance structuring for clergy, accountable reimbursement plans, LM-2/LM-3 reporting for labor unions, and non-profit reinstatement after IRS status revocation. Through virtual training and cloud-based accounting systems, we empower organizations to manage finances efficiently while staying compliant. Our founders firsthand experience in ministry and church operations informs our approach to delivering accurate, stress-free tax services for clergy and religious institutions. We measure success by our clients ability to achieve their goals without financial burdens, supported by our teams dedication to rising above industry standards.
Services
Tax Preparation
Bookkeeping
Payroll Processing
CFO Services
Loan Consulting
Highlights and features
- We offer decades of experience in church and clergy accounting.
- Our services include no-hassle pricing with upfront fee disclosure.
- We provide virtual training for labor union financial management.
- Our team includes founders with firsthand ministry experience.
- We handle complex tax issues like housing allowances and LM-2 reporting.
What people say
Very responsive
Reasonably priced
Fixed error without fuss
Saved thousands in taxes
Professional and detailed
Services
Tax Preparation
Our tax preparation services specialize in complex filings for clergy, churches, and nonprofits. We handle housing allowances, accountable reimbursement plans, and dual-status employee tax issues while ensuring compliance with evolving IRS regulations. Our team provides strategic tax planning to minimize liabilities and maximize refunds for individuals and organizations. With firsthand experience in ministry and church operations, we deliver stress-free tax solutions tailored to the unique needs of religious and nonprofit entities.
Bookkeeping
We offer cloud-based bookkeeping solutions for churches and nonprofits, including transaction posting, account reconciliations, and monthly financial statements. Our system tracks donations, manages donor information, and generates year-end giving statements. By maintaining accurate records and providing budget-to-actual reporting, we help organizations maintain financial transparency and focus on their core missions without administrative burdens.
Payroll Processing
Our payroll services ensure timely and accurate employee payments, tax filings, and compliance for churches and nonprofits. We handle direct deposit setups, payroll tax remittances, and reporting requirements specific to religious and nonprofit organizations. By automating payroll workflows, we eliminate administrative stress while maintaining adherence to federal and state employment regulations for our clients.
CFO Services
Our part-time CFO services provide strategic financial guidance for growing organizations. We assist with budget creation, cash flow management, and financial forecasting tailored to the unique needs of labor unions and nonprofits. By offering expert analysis and actionable insights, we help clients make informed decisions that support long-term sustainability and mission fulfillment.
Loan Consulting
We offer loan consulting services to help organizations evaluate financing options, qualify for loans, and negotiate terms with lenders. Our expertise includes assessing financial readiness, preparing documentation, and providing strategic guidance throughout the loan process. This service supports nonprofits and businesses in securing necessary capital while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
People
Jamie Ward
Founder, CPA
Jamie Ward brings extensive accounting experience to Ascension CPA, specializing in clergy tax issues and nonprofit financial management. His background includes credit analysis and church operations, informing his approach to helping organizations achieve financial clarity and compliance.
Cassidi Heltcel
Founder, CPA
Cassidi Heltcel offers three decades of finance expertise, focusing on budgeting, tax preparation, and strategic consulting for religious and nonprofit organizations. Her experience includes managing complex financial workflows and providing tailored solutions for diverse client needs.
Sarah Landrum
Office Manager
Sarah Landrum oversees daily operations at Ascension CPA, ensuring efficient service delivery and client support. Her role focuses on maintaining organizational excellence while facilitating seamless communication between clients and accounting professionals.
Bailey Hallmark
Business Analyst
Bailey Hallmark provides analytical support for financial consulting projects, specializing in data-driven insights for nonprofit and labor union clients. Her work focuses on improving financial decision-making through comprehensive analysis and reporting.
Regina Hutcheson
Business Analyst
Regina Hutcheson delivers specialized financial analysis for Ascension CPA's clients, focusing on strategic planning and compliance solutions for religious and nonprofit organizations. Her expertise supports clients in achieving operational efficiency and financial stability.
Questions
What accounting services do you offer for churches?
We provide bookkeeping, tax preparation, payroll processing, budgeting assistance, and donation tracking specifically tailored to church financial needs.
Do you handle clergy tax specializations?
Yes, we specialize in clergy housing allowances, accountable reimbursement plans, and dual-status employee tax compliance.
Can you help labor unions with IRS reporting?
We handle Form 990 and LM-2/LM-3 reporting requirements while ensuring compliance with Department of Labor regulations.
What payroll services do you provide?
We process payroll, manage tax filings, and implement direct deposit systems for religious and nonprofit organizations.
How do you support nonprofit organizations?
We offer reinstatement services after IRS status revocation, budget consulting, and strategic financial planning for nonprofits.
What consultation options are available?
We offer discovery meetings for service proposals and billed consultations at $150/hour for specific accounting questions.
