Monthly treasurer's report

A treasurer's report tells the board, in one page, whether the charity's money is on track. The California Attorney General's Guide for Charities says management should produce income and expense statements, balance sheets and budget status reports ahead of board meetings, and that directors (or officers they designate) should investigate sizable differences between expected and actual income and spending. This template puts the key numbers on one page so that's easy to do.

Attach the full statements behind it for anyone who wants detail. The page itself should take two minutes to read. Our guide to reading financial statements explains each line.

How to adapt it

• Send it with the meeting papers, not at the meeting, so directors can read it first.
• Months of cash: divide unrestricted cash by average monthly spending over the last 12 months. Use the same method every month.
• Budget comparison: show the month and the year so far. Explain any difference the board would want to know about; the board can set a rule for what counts as big.
• Restricted funds: list each restricted gift or grant still being spent, with what's left. See restricted funds.
• Decisions needed: say clearly if the board must approve something.
• Keep it in the minutes. Note in the minutes that the report was received and any decisions made.