Touchstone

Benefits

Developing a written financial policy is a necessary step in establishing your ministry as both accountable and trustworthy.

Financial policies clarify the roles, authority and responsibilities for essential financial management activities and decisions. Without a finance policy, the organization is left to operate under a “what seems best to me” mindset that may be insufficient or even damaging to the organization.

Building a complete financial management system requires both an accounting system and an administrative system made up of financial policies.

A financial policy has many different functions:

• An organizational reference document – explaining how things will be done.
• Building a control environment (eliminating fraud and theft).
• Guiding organizational decision-making.
• Enhancing credibility with donors and partners.
• Helping with fundraising.
• Providing accountability to donors.
• Use as a training aide.
• Supporting documentation for a financial audit.

Planning Considerations

• Identify the purpose of a finance policy for your organization.
  • Some essentials to the purpose are:
    • Conforming to sound accounting principles and practices.
    • Enabling management to obtain accurate and timely financial reports whichpromotes sound financial management.
    • Ensuring correct and accountable use of funds and resources.
  • Conduct a needs assessment with your finance and executive committee.
  • Identify roles and responsibilities.
  • Conduct an informal risk assessment.
  • Draft the financial policy.
    • Suggested areas for a finance policy:
      • Philosophy
      • Authority
      • Roles and Responsibilities
      • Conflict of Interest
      • Budgeting
      • Gifts
      • Organizational Financial Processes
    • Review, discuss and document feedback from staff and board leadership.
    • Present the final version to the board for approval.
    • Train staff on the financial policy.
    • Review the policy regularly (recommend every six months).

Required Resources

1. Human Resources.
a. Someone will need to lead the development of the policy.
b. Someone will need to document the policy discussions and decisions.
c. Someone will need to gather feedback from stakeholders.
d. Someone will need write the policy.
e. Someone will need to conduct training.
f. Someone will need to lead regular policy review.

2. Collateral.
a. Document the draft(s) and final approved policy.

3. Time
a. Time to conduct a needs assessment.
b. Time to meet with stakeholders.
c. Time to write draft policy and make changes.
d. Time for the board to meet to approve the policy.
e. Time to train staff and volunteers on the policy.
f. Time to review the policy regularly.

4. Space
a. Space to hold meetings and to conduct training.

5. Cost.
a. The cost varies. Considerations include meeting/travel expenses and types of communication (email, phone, text).