Our Fiduciary Governance

Our highest calling is to honor God in all we do. This basic tenet of the Christian faith—satisfying Him first—is our foremost desire, and this certainly includes the fiduciary governance of Benny Hinn Ministries. I fear God too much to ever trifle with the money entrusted to me by His precious people. Those who have been with me during the past three and a half decades of ministry understand how diligent we have been in our desire to be both good citizens and faithful stewards.

Next in priority to our accountability to God, we understand that we have a sacred trust with our partners. I have often mentioned our practice of a voluntary annual audit, voluntary submission to governmental scrutiny, the watchful supervision of the world’s most respected legal firms, and our deference to our Board of Directors.

We have a solid reputation of going “above and beyond” when it comes to our governance and compliance with governmental agencies. My administration and staff follow our strict standards, as set forth by our Board of Directors. We differ from many not-for-profit ministries or charities, insofar as we are incorporated and operated as a church—World Healing Center Church. The IRS acknowledges this distinction and sets forth certain guidelines that govern financial disclosure and accountability.

Our Compliance with Governmental Agencies
As good citizens and as followers of Christ, I insist that this ministry adhere to an above-and-beyond approach when it comes to the scriptural mandate to “render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:21), as the Lord instructed, and each year we submit all legal filings to the appropriate governmental authorities, ensuring that our ministry complies with both the spirit and the letter of the law in relation to all government agencies that have the authority to regulate church organizations.

Over three years ago, Benny Hinn Ministries (along with many other large ministries, charities, and other exempt organizations) was contacted by the Internal Revenue Service, who asked a series of in-depth questions about our activities, expenditures, and governance. These questions probed deeply into every aspect of our organization and included questions on my compensation, my housing, our use of the ministry aircraft, my family’s employment, travel expenses, and many other areas—even going so far as to query our status as a church and a 501(c)(3) organization.

Following this exhaustive examination of our ministry, the IRS issued a letter to Benny Hinn Ministries on December 6, 2007, that stated: “As a result of our review, we have determined that your activities continue to meet the requirements of IRC [Internal Revenue Code] section tax-exempt, religious 501(c)(3) and you continue to qualify as an organization exempt from Federal income tax under that section. Furthermore, you remain classified as a church within the meaning of IRC section 170(b)(1)(A)(i) and 509(a)(1).”

This “no change” declaration by the very branch of the federal government dedicated to the oversight of tax-exempt organizations was an affirmation of our ongoing commitment to compliance with the federal tax laws.

We also follow the guidelines established by Statement of Position 78-10, issued by the Accounting Standards Division of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Each year we file all required documentation to every municipal, state/provincial, and federal agency that requires us to do so. To accomplish this, we use preeminent legal firms in Washington, D.C., with professionals of the highest caliber, to oversee our ministry. Comprised of former IRS directors and agents, our legal team is guided by the finest tax, nonprofit, and general lawyers in the world. We have done this in the past, and we are committed to always doing so without fail.

Our Use of Independent Auditors
Going above and beyond the government guidelines, each year our ministry undergoes a thorough audit by an independent firm that is noted for its expertise in the area of not-for-profit law and IRS compliance. This is significant, for these financial audits occur at the voluntary invitation of our Board of Directors and is not a requirement of the IRS or any other governmental body.

For well over three decades I have been adamant that our ministry must have an “above and beyond” standard when it comes to the seed you plant. In fact, each of our global ministry offices voluntarily complies with an independent annual audit performed by the best of the best.

The U.S. office is audited annually by one of America’s most respected CPA firms, Stanfield and O’Dell, founded in 1952. At a considerable annual cost, the ministry’s books are thoroughly scrubbed from top to bottom—including my compensation and travel—and have consistently been given the seal of approval.
In fact, for fifteen consecutive years, independent audit firms have given Benny Hinn Ministries a clean audit (Click here to view our audit cover letters). Because of my fear of offending my precious Lord or bringing shame to His name, I insist that we go far beyond what is required to ensure that our ministry’s finances are above reproach.

Our Board of Directors
Benny Hinn Ministries has a fully functional and independent Board of Directors that governs the financial and operational affairs of the ministry. Its members are elected (not appointed by me) and include pastors and business leaders from around the country. They are not members of my family. None of my family members serve on the ministry’s board. We do this to avoid any conflict of interest, since the Board of Directors is the legal protectorate for the interests of all of the ministry's employees and partners.

Although the day-to-day operations are carried out by the employees of the ministry, the Board is responsible for setting overall ministry policies as well as establishing fiduciary checks and balances. The duties of the directors include approving annual budgets, major capital expenditures, and fund-raising procedures as well as setting compensation for officers and executive leadership. And as a part of our various Board meetings each year, our legal counsel is always present to ensure that the highest standards of care and governance are implemented in oversight of this ministry that you support so faithfully.

Benny Hinn Ministries’ Board of Directors is responsible for setting my compensation (annual salary), and they do so with the aid and counsel of Mercer and Company, one of the most respected executive compensation firms in America. This matter is then reviewed by numerous layers of legal counsel and compared with other ministry leaders of similar size and scope and other nonprofit and church organizations. I am never a part of their decision when it comes to my compensation. And although the ministry’s Board of Directors believes that my total compensation is a private matter, it is well within what is considered prudent and reasonable.

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