> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.lightpost.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.lightpost.app/add-on-features/financial-management/recording-transactions.md).

# Recording Contributions & Expenses

Record contributions and expenses by hand or with a check reader, and find, filter, edit, and export them later.

### Add a Contribution

1. Go to **Finance** and click **Add Contributions**.
2. Enter the contribution:
   * **User** — optional; the member who gave.
   * **Amount**
   * **Date Posted** — defaults to today.
   * **Type** — Check, Cash, or Other. Checks also have a **Check #**.
   * **Bucket** — the income category.
   * **Notes** — optional.
3. Click **Create Contribution**.

Contributions entered in the last three days appear in the **Recent Contributions** table on the same page.

#### Using a Check Reader

Check readers that use *keyboard emulation* are supported on the **Add Contributions** page:

1. Scan the check. Lightpost reads the routing number, account number, and check number and shows **Check Scanned**.
2. If that bank account has been used before, the same member is selected automatically. Otherwise, select the member to associate with the check — Lightpost remembers it for next time.
3. Selecting a member fills in their most recent amount. Adjust it if needed and press **Enter** to save.

Bank account numbers are stored securely; only the last four digits are ever shown.

### Add an Expense

Go to **Finance** and click **Add Expenses**. The form works like the contribution form, except the **Type** is Check or Cash and the **Bucket** lists expense categories.

### Date Posted vs. Date Created

* **Date Posted** is the accounting date of the transaction. Reports and [contribution statements](/add-on-features/financial-management/contribution-statements.md) use Date Posted.
* **Date Created** is when the entry was added to Lightpost.

Online gifts use the payment date as their Date Posted.

### Finding Transactions

On the **Finance** page, click **View all** under **Income** or **Expenses** to open the full list. From the list you can:

* Filter by category, minimum and maximum amount, **Posted Date** range, and **Created Date** range.
* Use the filter options **Show transactions with no user**, **Cash only**, **Check only**, and **Online only** (contributions only).
* Export the filtered list to Excel.
* **Import** transactions from a CSV file. See [Importing Transactions](/add-on-features/financial-management/importing-transactions.md).

### Editing and Deleting

Click a transaction to edit it. The **User** and **Type** cannot be changed. To change them, delete the transaction and create a new one.

{% hint style="info" %}
Transactions from [Online Giving](/add-on-features/online-giving.md) keep the date and amount set by the payment provider. Those fields are locked, and the transaction cannot be deleted.
{% endhint %}