Post on 31-Oct-2020
Michele Morrow610-837-9499
mtmorrow1@gmail.com
Unit Finances
Responsible Financial Habits
& Protecting Your Funds
2
Whose money is it??Remember: The Charter Organization owns all funds/assets of
your unit
All funds fall under the same IRS regulations as your Charter Organization
Refer to your Charter Organization Rep for specifics when it comes to their EIN, bank accounts, filing taxes and such
3
But we’re just volunteers…
Why should we
worry about it??
4
Volunteer groups typically: are made up of friends &/or family
have easy-going & laid-back financial procedures
keep few records
completely trust their officers
include groups such as:ScoutsPTAs/parent groupsSchool Booster ClubsYouth Sports ClubsChurch GroupsEtc.
5
Remember : Volunteer organizations are businesses and must
run responsibly
ALL volunteers have a fiduciary responsibility to protect the assets of their organization
The following information is provided to help ALL parties involved
And Because:
It happens – These examples appeared in one local paper, in just the last few years:
$1,700 from a local Girl Scout troop$3,200 from a youth racing league$4,700 from a Cub Scout pack$5,200 from a Cub Scout pack$10,000 from the youth football league$17,000 from a youth athletic association$18,800 from a middle school PTA$19,000 from an elementary school PTA$24,400 from a youth soccer league$34,000 from an elementary school PTA$37,000 from a little league association$40,000 from local volunteer fire department$50,000 from a small karate school$108,000 from a baseball league$120,000 from a youth soccer club
6
Remember:
Incidents like this happen everywhere– not just in this one area.
Can you prevent theft from happening in the organization?
No, you can’t – but what you CAN do is take simple measures to minimize the risk of your group being financially victimized.
7
8
“A Scout is Trustworthy”
Questioning and double-checking the treasurer’s records is not being “untrusting” – it’s simply being responsible. And it also helps catch the occasional honest mistakes.
And as true as this is, financial foul play is afoot more often than you’d think in small volunteer groups!
9
3 Simple Steps
To Preparing
10
Step 1
Plan the Program
What are we going to do for the year??
11
Sample Program Items Meetings Campouts/Outings Summer Camp Advancements/Awards Courts of Honor/Banquets Special Events Other Activities
12
Step 2
Preparing the Budget
How much is it all going to cost?
13
Sample Program Related Expenses
Registration fees
New equipment purchase
Equipment replacement
Food & supplies
Banquet decorations
Banquet entertainment
14
Annual Registration/Insurance/Boys Life fees ($24/2/12 per person)
Annual Unit Recharter Fee ($40/unit)
Advancement Accessories (Badges, Pins, Cards, etc.)
Leader Training
Operating Reserve
Other
Sample Administrative Related Expenses
15
Step 3
Determine how to raise the funds
Where will the money come from?
16
Sample Income Sources Dues
Popcorn Sales
Donations
Fundraising
(Remember that for all non-Popcorn sale fundraising activities a “Unit Money-Earning Application” must be completed & turned in to council for approval.)
Dues Why are dues important ?
Do families understand what is and isn’t covered by dues & why dues aren’t enough to run the program?
17
18
Why Sell Popcorn?
Earns funds for the Scouts
Earns funds for the Unit
Supports District & Council (which supports your unit & Scouts)
19
Donations
Can donations be accepted?
What can donations be spent on?
Can donations be solicited?
20
Remember to plan program/activities FIRST!Then plan how to raise funds to do it
Don’t raise funds, just to raise funds!Have a purpose for the money
(Remember – With the exception of Trails End Popcorn, a Unit Money-Earning Application must be submitted to council for all fundraising activities.)
Fundraising
21
Unit’s money-earning projects must be:
Approved by Charter Organization
Approved by Council*
Consistent with BSA policies
* Approval is obtained by submitting a Unit Money-Earning Application to council service center well in advance of the proposed date of your money-earning project. Form 34427 can be found on-line at www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34427.pdf
21
Fundraising(Unit Money-Earning Projects)
22
What types of fundraising events are appropriate?
How much time should be spent fundraising?
How much money can be raised?
Fundraising
23
How Much Money Can You Make and Keep?
Simply put…Raise what you need to meet your budget
Spend what you raise
24
How Much Money Can You Make and Keep?
It is acceptable to keep extra money in savings, checking, CDs, etc.
The amount can be anywhere from a half to a full year’s operating expenses
Regularly raising more than budgeted will jeopardize the non-profit status (if a non-profit)
25
Be Mindful of Online Scams
When searching online for fundraising companies be sure to ask yourself:
Is company well-known?
Do they request proprietary information?
Are there any up-front commitments?
26
Use of the UniformThe official Scout uniform is only to be worn in conjunction with Scouting activities; however, when wearing as part of BSA fundraising events the executive board of the local council may authorize wearing of the uniform for council-sponsored product sales programs.
Also refer to the Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America.
27
Plan for timing of:• Income• Significant expenditures
Are there potential gaps / shortfalls due to timing of cash flows?
BalancingIncome & Expenses
28
Make sure that everyone involved understands costs associated with running a quality program
Unit Committee Members
Scouts
Families
Charter Organization
Communication
29
Who controls the money?
Now that you have the funds…
30
$ Never have one person in charge of all assets
$ Never have one person hold both the treasurer and another office
$ Make sure that ALL volunteers attain their clearances (especially now that it’s required by law in Pennsylvania)
31
Check Writing
NEVER- NEVER - NEVER sign blank checks
AWAYS require two (2) signatures on ALL checks…
Have three (3) signatures on file at the bank –make sure files are up to date!
32
NEVER have a married couple or relatives be two of the signatures
Purchase checks with two (2)signature lines
NEVER - NEVER - NEVER sign blank checks …(ever!!!)
33
Debit or Credit?Debit: Not enough controls
If lost – all funds in account at riskSignatures not requiredNo purchase details on receipts
Credit: Far easier to controlStatements more detailedReceipts are detailed
34
Checks or Cash ? Checks are easier to work with
Checks can be traced if needed
Cash is at times unavoidable, however has no paper-trail, is far more susceptible to theft
35
Try to avoid collecting cash
If it’s not possible – follow these simple steps to better protect the funds… and the organization’s leaders:
Always have two people count cash
Fill out and sign “Cash Turned In” form (see sample on next slide)
Handling Cash
36
Sample Cash Turned In Form
36
37
If available, treasurer counts cash with event chair or other members
Receipt for cash received is given and a copy is kept for the treasurer’s records
Deposit slip is filled out immediately and funds deposited the same day!
Handling Cash
38
Petty Cash
Very specific guidelines should be spelled out in Standing Rules as to what it can be used for.
Should be approved at meetings before being issued
Require receipts and unused funds be turned in to the treasurer in a timely manner.
39
Advances Advances should be approved at meetings prior
to being issued
Very specific guidelines should be spelled out in Standing Rules as to what it can be used for
Require receipts and unused funds be turned in to the treasurer in a timely manner
40
Receipts are to be provided for ALL purchases – small and large
No reimbursements should be made without receipts
Reimbursement Forms should be used (see sample on next slide)
Receipts should be attached to Reimbursement Form
Paying Bills & Reimbursements
41
Sample Reimbursement Form
42
Personal checking accounts should NEVER be used to pay organization’s bills. Always use Unit checks!
Avoid using an on-line “bill-pay” system (paying on-line does not allow for dual signatures).
Paying Bills & Reimbursements
43
What Can The Money Be Spent On?
According to the IRS…All money spent should be within the mission of the organization.
Funds can not be spent on (if a non-profit) Donations to other organizations (except to other
non-profits with the same mission)
Donations to individuals
44
Treasurer’s Reports Treasury records are the property of the
organization and should be available for review whenever requested
Treasurer should provide a written report at EVERY meeting
If unable to provide a particular month – be sure to provide it the following month
45
Report period should be from meeting to meeting and should include:
1. Disbursements (dates, amount, check #s, to whom checks were written)
2. Deposits (dates, amounts, what money was from)
3. Balance at time of report
If using a computer program – print out the register for that period.
Treasurer’s Reports
46
Treasurer’s ReportsYear End Report
Report should include:
Starting balance
Breakdown of expenses by line item
Breakdown of income by line item
Ending balance
4747
Paper vs Online Banking
On-line banking
Can view/print statements at any time
More secure than receiving in mail
Can control who has access to it
Allows for more than one person to access
48
Paper vs Online Banking
Paper Bank Statements
Statements should be mailed to someone other than the treasurer… OR…
Have treasurer give them to someone else each month to review
49
Account Reconciliation
Records should be reconciled MONTHLY
Catches honest mistakes
Catches “foul play” more quickly
Makes monthly/yearly audits much easier
50
IRS & TaxesFederal Income Tax ExemptionNon-profit organizations are not required to pay
federal income tax
HOWEVER… they ARE required to file the IRS Form 990 form. It used to be that you had to file only if your grossreceipts exceed $25,000.
(Remember – your since your unit is owned by the Charter Organization, it is their responsibility to file, not the unit’s)
51
IRS & TaxesSales Tax Exemption Pennsylvania state sales tax exemption number
must be applied for (Check with your Charter Organization, they may already have an exempt status and may let you use it.)
Sales tax exemption ONLY applies towards items to be used by your organization.
Resale items are not exempt from sales tax.
Sales Tax at the Scout Shop IF your unit has an account at the Scout Shop,
MTC sales tax exempt # can be used
IF paying by check, debit, or credit Sales Tax must be paid – or Charter Organization’s sales tax exempt #
must be provided if applicable
52
IRS & Taxes
53
Individual Scout Accounts
Great for tracking Scout/Family fundraising activities
Having individual accounts at bank not advisable –use one bank account but allocate funds separately
Far easier to track if using financial software
54
Books & Records:What to Save & For How Long
Not law… but good practice
Bank receipts – – until statement reconciliation
Check duplicates (if used) – 1 year Invoices, receipts, cancelled checks – 7 years Bank statements, treasurer’s reports,
bank ledgers – ForeverIf fraudulent activity is suspected, records can be requested back to original charter date of organization
5555
Books & Records:Where to Keep
Checkbook & bank slips In treasurer’s possession In secure location (locked file cabinet, etc.)
Records (bank statements/ treasurer’s reports In easily accessible location, but Safe from elements, misplacement, theft (storage
closet, file cabinet, etc.)
56
When to audit books Within one month of the end of each fiscal year
Before new treasurer takes possession of accounts
Who should audit books At least 2 people who are NOT eligible to sign checks
should audit books
Hire an accountant – may give break to volunteer groups
Audits
57
AuditsWhat should be provided to audit committee:
For the current fiscal year: Treasurer’s reports Bank statements & deposit slips All receipts Checkbook & register Previous audit report Budget
58
How to audit books1. Match receipts against expenditures and make
sure ledger and checks issued all agree
2. Match deposit slips with cash received receipts
3. Total of balance from previous audit, plus cash deposits, less expenditures and any outstanding checks should equal the balance in the book at time of audit
59
Never Sign Blank Checks!
60
Reduce risk of fraud by:
Following proper fund handling procedures
Never signing blank checks
Having written money handling and control policies in place
Checking insurance policy to see if it requires prosecution in order to recover a loss
61
Top reasons treasurers do not provide regular reports or turn over their records:
1. Poor record keeping – they’re embarrassed that it got out of hand - but nothing was stolen
2. No money was stolen, but no records were kept either - again, embarrassed by poor record keeping
3. Money was stolen and they’re trying to cover it up
Where are the records ?
62
Suspect fraud or embezzlement?
Warning Signs Treasurer’s reports delayed or non-existent
Delayed receipts showing cash deposits
Missing supporting documents
Multiple corrections made in the bank registers
Checks bounce when there should be available funds
Lifestyle or behavior changes of staff or volunteers
63
If fraud is suspected1. Do not make accusations (you may be wrong)
2. Document all allegations
3. Gather all facts
4. Identify all bank accounts involved – consider closing or freezing accounts
5. Follow the steps in your standing rules
6. Contact the authorities
7. Contact the insurance company
64
Most common rationales for not to pursuing legal action
when theft is suspected We don’t want to embarrass their children
We don’t have the time to put into pursuing it
We don’t want the attention put on our organization
Maybe we should just meet privately with the individual
We can just allow them to repay the money
65
Be sure to: Separate business from friendship!
Use common sense!
Take simple steps to protect your funds!
66
Checklist - have in placeBefore Fraud Occurs
Follow proper fund handling procedures
Never sign blank checks
Check insurance policy to see if it requires prosecution in order to recover a loss
Have a written money handling and control policy in your standing rules
67
Did I mention to …
Never Sign
Blank Checks
68