PTA finance forms are essential tools for maintaining transparency, accountability, and legal compliance within a Parent Teacher Association. These forms document every financial transaction, providing a clear audit trail for both internal review and external audits. Effective use of these forms ensures that PTA funds are managed responsibly and in accordance with established guidelines.
Several key types of finance forms are commonly used by PTAs:
- Deposit Slips: These forms accompany all money deposited into the PTA’s bank account. They detail the source of the funds (e.g., bake sale proceeds, membership dues), the date of the deposit, and the total amount. Accurate completion of deposit slips is crucial for reconciling bank statements and identifying discrepancies.
- Check Request Forms: Before any check is issued, a check request form should be completed. This form requires information such as the payee’s name, the purpose of the expenditure, the amount requested, and the relevant budget line item. Approval signatures from authorized PTA officers (usually the treasurer and president) are required before the check can be processed. This provides a system of checks and balances.
- Expense Reimbursement Forms: When individuals incur expenses on behalf of the PTA (e.g., purchasing supplies for an event), they must submit an expense reimbursement form along with original receipts. The form should clearly describe the expenses, provide the date they were incurred, and specify the total amount being requested. Again, proper authorization is needed before reimbursement can occur.
- Cash Count Sheets: Used for events involving cash handling (e.g., fundraisers, school carnivals), cash count sheets track the opening balance, cash received, expenses paid out, and the closing balance. Multiple individuals should be present during the cash counting process to verify the amounts and sign the sheet, ensuring accountability.
- Budget Forms: While not strictly transaction-based, budget forms are foundational to PTA financial management. They outline the anticipated income and expenses for the fiscal year, categorized by activity or program. Budget forms guide spending decisions and serve as a benchmark for evaluating the PTA’s financial performance.
Proper record-keeping is paramount. Completed finance forms, along with supporting documentation (receipts, invoices, bank statements), should be organized and stored securely for a specified period (typically seven years, as recommended by many states and the IRS). Digital copies can be a valuable supplement to paper records. Furthermore, regular audits (internal or external) should be conducted to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the PTA’s financial records. These audits help identify potential weaknesses in financial controls and provide recommendations for improvement.
Ultimately, meticulous use of PTA finance forms fosters trust among members, ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and allows the PTA to effectively allocate resources to support its mission and benefit the school community.