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System Management
Financial Guidelines
County Financial Operations for Extension Homemakers Councils, Clubs, and Groups

Policy Number: C.E.S.P. 15-2
Date Revised: 2-23-2004

I. Financial Guidelines for All Volunteer Groups  
     
  A. General Guidelines  
       
  B. I.R.S. Requirements  
       
II. Recommended Financial Guidelines – A.E.H.C.
       
III. Reporting of Cash and Non-cash Charitable Contributions
       
IV. Insurance  
       
  A. Volunteer Immunity  
       
  B. Liability Insurance  
       
  C. Activity Insurance  
       
Appendix  
       
  I. Maintaining Auditable Records  
       
  II. Annual Financial Report  
       
  III. Peer Review Audit Guide  
       
    •  Peer Review Audit Report  
         
    Audit Committee Review Checklist  
         
  IV. Annual Inventory Report.  
         
         

Guidelines for County Financial Operations for Volunteer Groups

There are several volunteer organizations and groups that are organized by and support the educational mission of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. These groups function under the advisory leadership of one or more of the professional staff and work within the parameters assigned to assist in carrying out this educational mission.

      Although this process has been in place for many years, and certain financial guidelines have been communicated to each organization, this document will outline general guidelines for fiduciary responsibility in volunteer groups, and give specific information needed by each individual group.

      The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service has a responsibility to:

  (1) conduct its programs in such a way to maintain the public trust and safeguard the positive image of the organization;
     
  (2) provide training opportunities for volunteer groups to conduct their financial affairs using sound accounting principles, with understanding of the tax laws governing tax-exempt organizations; and
     
  (3) accept certain fiduciary oversight responsibilities for these volunteer groups, including recommending prescribed financial practices.
     
  The Volunteer Group has a responsibility to:
     
  (1) conduct its organization in a professional manner consistent with the educational mission of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service;
     
  (2) accept compliance responsibility for all federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to volunteer organizations;
     
  (3) adhere to all civil rights laws, including open access to membership and programs; and
     
  (4) obtain funding from various sources and dispense the funds in support of Extension’s educational mission.
     
     The many volunteer groups across the state are recognized as essential elements to the success of Extension’s programs. The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service has had a long positive history with volunteer groups, and it is the University’s intent to continue these very important associations. All volunteer groups associated with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service are expected to adhere to the above terms and to the guidelines found in this document.
 
I. Financial Guidelines for All Volunteer Groups
     
A. General Guidelines
     
  1. The administration of all volunteer units will be in accordance with their organization’s constitution, bylaws or other enabling documents and will be administered by a duly constituted governing body.
     
  2. Each volunteer unit will have sole responsibility for all funds and assets of the organization. No Extension employee shall have signatory authority over any assets of the volunteer unit.
     
  3. The financial activities and the resulting financial statements of all volunteer units should be conducted in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (See Appendix I: Maintaining Auditable Records.)
     
  4. All volunteer units that have an average monthly balance of $100 or more should have their funds in a financial institution. Most financial institutions will allow non-profit groups to maintain an account that has minimum activity with no monthly service charge. Money not placed in an account should be held in a secure location and detailed records of fund use should be maintained.
     
  5. It is advisable to have at least two authorized signatures for the bank account. This allows access to the account even if one person is unavailable for an extended time. The group also might consider requiring dual signatures for expenditures over a pre-set amount.
     
  6. Volunteer funds held in a financial institution should be in the name of the club or group, using the appropriate Employer Identification Number. Under no circumstances should the account be held in an individual’s name, or use an individual’s Social Security number for the ID number.
     
  7. A year-end financial statement should be prepared by the appropriate officer. (See Appendix II: Annual Financial Report.)
     
  8. This financial statement, along with all supporting documentation, are encouraged to be audited annually by one of the following methods:
     
    (a) an audit conducted by an independent certified public accountant; or
       
    (b) organizations with annual income less than $25,000 may choose to conduct a Peer Review Audit (See Appendix III: Peer Review Audit Guide.)
       
  9. Many clubs and groups find it useful to acquire and maintain certain tangible assets in support of the educational goals of the organization. This inventory list would include real property (land and buildings), equipment, tools, vehicles, etc.

Fiscal responsibility for these tangible assets rests with the individual club or group, and these assets are not a part of the University of Arkansas inventory.

     
  10. Groups are encouraged to inventory these assets on an annual basis: (1) to document their location; and (2) to provide a historical summary for both acquisition and disposal. (See Appendix IV: Annual Inventory Report). (Note: To avoid burdensome record keeping, it is suggested that this inventory report include only assets with a useful life over one year and an initial value of $250 or more.)
     
  11. The Annual Financial Statement, with Audit Report and Annual Inventory Report attached, should be filed and accepted at a board meeting and kept with the local clubs records.
     
  12. No political contributions or candidate endorsements shall be allowed.
     
B. I.R.S. Requirements
     
  Listed below is a partial summary of selected Internal Revenue Service requirements pertaining to organizations seeking recognition of tax-exempt status. These requirements are not listed in any order of importance, and the provision of this information should not be construed as tax advice relative to the I.R.S.. Organizations that desire such advice or assistance should contact an independent professional.
     
  1. Exempt organizations are generally required to obtain an Employer Identification Number (E.I.N). This number may be obtained by filing I.R.S. Form SS-4, “Application for Employer Identification Number”. This number is required to establish a bank account.
     
  2. If annual gross receipts of an exempt organization total $5,000 or more (see gross receipts test explanation in I.R.S. Pub. 557), an application for exemption should be made on one of I.R.S. Forms 1023 through 1028 (Application for Recognition of Exemption) depending on the nature of the organization. Extension Homemaker Clubs in Arkansas, have already been granted a group exemption and no further action is needed. (See section in this document for each group). However, each group will need to obtain an E.I.N. as stated above.
     
  3. Exempt organizations having annual gross receipts of $5,000 or less are not required to file on I.R.S. Forms 1023-1028. However, if the organization wants to establish its exemption with the I.R.S. and receive a ruling or determination letter recognizing its exempt status, it should file on one of the forms 1023-1028.
     
  4. An exempt organization having annual gross receipts normally more than $25,000 will be required to file an annual I.R.S. Form 990—Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.
     
  5. An exempt organization that is required to file an annual return on Form 990 must keep such permanent books of account or records, including inventories, as is sufficient to show specifically the items of gross income, receipts, disbursements, name and addresses of all substantial contributors, and any other information required.
     
  6. Volunteer groups also have certain responsibilities regarding accepting and acknowledging gifts and donations. Since donors may deduct contributions to tax-exempt non-profit groups, the non-profit group has a responsibility to acknowledge that gift/donation in the appropriate way. This may involve either a receipt and/or a letter of thanks for the gift or donation. It is the responsibility of the donor to determine the fair market value. The volunteer group should only verify the receipt of the donation and not assign any value.
     
  7. When any merchandise is purchased from a group, or a non-cash contribution is made, only the amount paid in excess of the fair market value of the item may be deducted as a charitable contribution. Again, it is the responsibility of the purchaser, not the volunteer group, to determine the fair market value of a product.
     
  8. Organizational by-laws should provide guidance for the distribution of funds upon dissolution of the group. Since generally all funds accumulated by volunteer group’s described here are subject to 501(c)(3) regulations, these funds should normally be dispensed to other exempt volunteer organizations operated exclusively for educational, scientific, charitable or religious purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
     
     (a) Examples of acceptable distribution of funds:
      Donation to another community group or the county-wide group, (i.e., another E.H.C. Club or County EH Council.)
         
    (b) Examples of unacceptable distribution of funds:
      Dividing the leftover funds among the members.
      Sponsoring a trip or party for the members for the purpose of using the funds.
      Cash gifts to members, county agents or other non-qualifying entities.

II. Financial Guidelines for E.H.C. Councils, Clubs and Groups
     
  1. The Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council (A.E.H.C.) is an incorporated group in the State of Arkansas and each County Extension Homemakers Council is also incorporated as a subordinate unit of the state council.
     
  2. The Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council has been classified by Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Its members and the (county councils) are subordinate units of the state councils, and clubs are subordinates of county councils. The group exemption number is 2140. Note: This group exemption number is only used when filing for an Employer Identification Number on I.R.S. Form SS-4 and when reporting income on I.R.S. Form 990. It is not to be used for banking purposes.
     
  3. The Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council has filed for and received an Employer Identification Number for banking purposes and each County Extension Homemakers Council has a separate Employer Identification Number to be used for banking purposes. If you are not sure what your County E.H.Council’s E.I.N. number is contact your local County Extension Agent-Family Consumer Sciences, or the State E.H.C. Coordinator in the State Office.
     
  4. It is advisable that individual Extension Homemakers Clubs use the County E.H. Council E.I.N. for their accounts. This does not mean that a club’s money goes into the Council accounts, but it does identify the club as a part of the County Council. The separation of the money is in the name of the account. The account should be used as follows:
       
      “Whatever Extension Homemakers Club of the whichever County Extension Homemakers Council  – ID 00-000000.”
     
  5. If an individual Extension Homemakers Club has over $5,000 income, it should consider seeking an individual Employer Identification Number separate from the County Extension Homemakers Council, and file I.R.S. Form 990 on its own. The group exemption number would still be available for use where appropriate.
     
  6. If a club has already obtained an E.I.N. number and is receiving and filing tax returns to the I.R.S., it should continue to do so.
     
  7. Even though Extension Homemakers Councils are generally exempt from federal income taxes, they have an obligation to file the Annual Information Return, I.R.S. Form 990, when gross receipts in the tax year exceed $25,000. Detailed instructions on completing this form are included in the A.E.H.C. Handbook, Financial AffaI.R.S. section, page H-16.
     
  8. Volunteers may claim certain out-of-pocket unreimbursed expenses incurred in rendering service to tax-exempt organizations as a charitable contribution on their own individual income tax report. For more detailed information on the rules regarding volunteer unreimbursed expenses, see A.E.H.C. Handbook, Financial AffaI.R.S. section, page H-18, current I.R.S. regulations, and your tax professional.
     
  9. A.E.H.C. Standing Rules, listed in A.E.H.C. Handbook page C-11, include the following:
     
    (a) No member officer, or individual shall initiate any activity, program, project or fundraising activity in the name of Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council without the written approval of the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council Executive Committee.
       
    (b) No club shall sign agreements to sponsor the sale of any product without approval of the County President and the County Extension Agent-Family Consumer Sciences.
       
  10. The president of each Extension Homemakers Clubs will provide written assurances of nondiscrimination on an annual basis. These assurances will be submitted on Form AFFACT-513 and maintained in the county files for three years. The form is available online at http://intranet.uaex.edu/policy/Templates/mswordtemplates/AFFACT/AFFACT-513.dot.
     
III. Reporting of Cash and Non-Cash Charitable Contributions
   
  Extension Homemaker Councils, groups and clubs receive private contributions for exclusive local use. These gifts include cash, as well as gifts-in-kind of equipment, supplies, free use of facilities, etc. Individuals or corporations that make a contribution of goods or services to the Extension Homemakers organization may deduct gifts to the fullest extent of the law. In the case of gifts-in-kind, it is the responsibility of the donor to determine the fair market value, not the E.H.C. organization. The E.H.C. organization should only verify the receipt of the donation and not assign any value.

Letters of appreciation should be sent to donors by county club representatives. Because of specific Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.) regulations, each cash contribution of $250 or more and gifts-in-kind, of that value or more based on the donor’s documentation, must receive an official receipt from the council, group or club.

IV. Insurance

  A. Volunteer Immunity
     
    Volunteers of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service are afforded protection under the Federal Volunteer Immunity Act of 1997 and the State’s Volunteer Immunity Act. If a volunteer is sued and was acting in the capacity of an Extension Homemaker, he or she most likely will be protected from liability under the current state and/or federal law. The volunteer will be responsible for his or her own legal representation and expense and will not be entitled to the University of Arkansas legal counsel’s services.

Listed below is a summary of the volunteer immunity laws. If you have further questions, please refer to the complete version of the Acts or ask your legal counsel.

     
    Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 (VPA)
     
    The VPA provides that, if a volunteer meets certain criteria, he or she has a defense to a suit alleging simple or “mere” negligence and cannot be held liable for that alleged wrong doing. In cases where the volunteer does not meet the act’s criteria, he or she may still enjoy some measure of protection as long as he or she has not engaged in conduct that is specifically prohibited.
     
    Arkansas Volunteer Immunity Act: 16-6-105. Nonliability for Damages – Exceptions
     
    A qualified volunteer shall not be liable in damages for personal injury or property damage sustained by one who is a participant in, or a recipient, consumer, or user of, the services or benefits of a volunteer by reason of any act or omission of a qualified volunteer in connection with the volunteer except as follows:
     
    (1) Where the qualified volunteer is covered by a policy of insurance, in which case liability for ordinary negligence is limited to the amount of coverage provided;
       
    (2) Where the qualified volunteer acts in bad faith or is guilty of gross negligence;
       
    (3) (a) Where the qualified volunteer negligently operates a motor vehicle, aircraft, boat or other powered mode of conveyance.
         
      (b) If the actionable conduct of the qualified volunteer is covered by a policy of liability insurance, his liability for ordinary negligence shall be limited to the amount of the coverage provided.
         
  B. Liability Insurance
     
    A.E.H.C. provides liability insurance coverage for members of the executive committee, council committee members and E.H.C. members who participate in official business and meetings of the organization. (See A.E.H.C. Handbook page H-20)

A.E.H.C. has an accident policy that covers the executive committee on official business of the Council. This is handled through action of the executive committee by the president. A copy of the insurance policy is provided an individual when elected to a position on the executive committee.

     
  C. Activity Insurance
     
    Members of various committees, such as program committees, and members attending various meetings, such as District Rallies, Board Meetings, the Annual State Meeting, State Program Workshop, etc., are covered on a per-trip basis through insurance obtained through the Cooperative Extension Service. The state Extension faculty person involved with the meeting notifies the company before the meeting of the estimated number of participants, the dates and the type of insurance needed. Following the meeting, the faculty member notifies the A.E.H.C. treasurer of the exact number that participated. The statement is submitted through proper channels for payment by A.E.H.C.. (See A.E.H.C. Handbook page H-21)

The insurance is secondary to Medicare and the insurance of the individual. This means a claim must fI.R.S.t be filed with Medicare, if the person is eligible, and their own insurance. The remaining eligible charges will then be filed with the group insurance described above.

Maintaining Auditable Records

I. Record Keeping Requirements
     
    Auditable records should be maintained for all transactions. Auditable records are those that describe the nature and condition of a transaction and provide support that the transaction occurred as stated.

A record system should be maintained which classifies and accumulates financial information in a logical manner. Either a software package such as Quicken™ or a ledger system is generally necessary to accomplish this goal. For small organizations the ledger system would include:  (1) cash receipts journal, 2) cash disbursements journal and 3) general ledger.

     
  A. Recording Income
     
    1. Acknowledge all money received with a written receipt, preferably pre-numbered. The receipt should include the date, amount received, source of funds, whether cash or a check and who collected the money.
       
    2. The receipt should be prepared in duplicate with the original given to the customer. The copy should be maintained, in sequence, in the receipt book as the official record of that transaction.
       
    3. If any receipt is voided, the original receipt should be maintained with the official copy of that receipt.
       
    4. If a member/representative turns in money collected from several people, one receipt may be written directly to that member if documentation is attached to the receipt listing: (1) individuals from whom the money was collected; and (2) the amount collected from each.
       
    5. In some cases, such as a fundraising event, it may not be practical to issue an individual receipt for each cash transaction. In these situations, record several transactions on one receipt. Example: (Received from: Mary Smith; Amount: $256.00; For: Proceeds from Chili Supper on Oct. 30.)
       
    6. All receipt books should be kept for the current year and three prior years.
       
    7. All income/receipts should be identified by source and restrictions, if any. While this information is recorded on the receipt, it is advisable to also record it on the check register beside the deposit entry. Any correspondence, check stubs, etc., should be placed in a file set up for that purpose.
       
    8. Each bank deposit slip should contain a listing of the receipt numbers contained in the bank deposit. An explanation should be recorded on the official copy of the deposit slip in any situation in which the receipt numbers are not reported in sequence.
       
    9. Funds should be deposited on a regular basis, with cash on hand held to a minimum.
       
  B. Recording Expenses
       
    1. Financial commitments and expenses should be in accordance with the policies established by the organization and the approved budget.
       
    2. Payments should be made in response to a formal written bill or invoice. The itemized invoice will become a permanent part of the treasurer’s records. This documentation should be filed in a manner allowing easy retrieval and should be maintained for the current year and three prior years.
       
    3. Expenses should be made from established checking accounts, with rare exceptions for petty cash accounts (see #8). Holding cash back from deposits and then using the cash to pay bills is not a good practice because it does not leave a record or provide proof of payment.
       
    4. All checks should contain the signature of the appropriate club officer(s). An individual should not sign a check until sufficient documentation and funds are available and the check has been completed. No one should sign a blank check. The organization should consider having dual signature requirements for checks written over a certain amount. No Extension employee should sign checks for volunteer groups or have signatory authority over any assets of the volunteer unit.
       
    5. When a check is voided, the check should be marked “void” and attached to the check stub, and the signature section of the check should be removed.
       
    6. All checking account transactions should be recorded in the check register at the time the transaction occurs. Entries should be dated and be as detailed as possible showing name of payee or deposit source and purpose of expense.
       
    7. All check registers should be reconciled monthly with the bank statement at the time it is received. These reconciliations should be documented. (Normally the back of the bank statement provides a reconciliation form that is sufficient). These reconciliations, along with the corresponding bank statement, should be kept for the current year and three prior years.
       
    8. On rare occasions, a petty cash fund may be needed for miscellaneous items. However, the use of petty cash is not encouraged and should not be used as a substitute for sound planning and budgeting. Petty cash should be reconciled on a regular basis. In petty cash allotments, the cash, plus the cash receipts for expenditures, should equal the initial authorized amount. All petty cash allotments should be entered in the general ledger as petty cash along with the person’s name to whom the small amount of cash is issued.
       
  C. Year-End Financial Reports
       
    1. An Annual Financial Report summarizes all ledger transactions for the year and provides a summary of the organization’s revenue and expenses, assets, liabilities and equity. This report should be compiled at the end of each fiscal/calendar year by the treasurer (see Appendix II for suggested form.)
       
  D. Audit Reports
       
    1. Another responsibility in sound financial management for groups is a system for examination and audit of financial statement balances, assets and the established accounting system. Each club/group should have its financial statements and related books and records audited at the end of each fiscal/calendar year.
       
    2. If the club/group is required to file I.R.S. Form 990, (i.e., has revenue in excess of $25,000 per tax year) then the audit should be done by an independent certified public accountant.
       
    3. If the group has revenue of less than $25,000 per tax year, they may choose to conduct a Peer Review Audit using an appropriate Audit Committee (see Appendix III: Peer Review Audit Guide.)
       
  E. Managing Tangible Assets
       
    1. Many clubs and groups find it useful to acquire and maintain certain tangible assets in support of the educational goals of the organization. This would include real property (land and buildings), equipment, tools, vehicles, etc.
       
    2. Fiscal responsibility for these tangible assets rests with the individual club or group, and these assets are not a part of the University of Arkansas inventory.
       
    3. Groups are encouraged to inventory these assets on an annual basis: (1) to document their location; and (2) to provide a historical summary for both acquisition and disposal (see Appendix IV: Annual Inventory Report). (Note: To avoid burdensome record keeping, it is suggested that this inventory report include only assets with a useful life over one year and an initial value of $250 or more.)
       
       
II. Annual Financial Report
       
III. Peer Review Audit Guide
       
  The peer review audit committee should be composed of at least three members and its purpose is to review the accounting records and financial statements prepared by the treasurer for accuracy and reasonableness. Committee members should not include the treasurer, anyone related to the treasurer or anyone involved in the financial affaI.R.S. of the group.
       
  Prescribed annual procedures for peer review audit committee at end of the fiscal year:
       
  1. Check each month’s reconciled bank statement and canceled checks. Make sure the ledger postings are current and complete.
     
  2. Examine all voided checks. If a voided check is not on file, verify that the check has not cleared the bank.
     
  3. Total all funds received. Verify that cash receipts were written and that funds received were listed on the ledger reports.
     
  4. Total all deposits made to the bank account. This total should equal the total of all funds received, unless treasurer’s ledger reports show that some funds were retained as petty cash.
     
  5. Total all expenditures. Verify that a written bill is on file for each expenditure and that the expenditure was appropriate. Verify that all expenditures were paid by check, not in cash.
     
  6. Examine the Annual Financial Report. Verify that the amounts listed agree with the amounts in the treasurer’s ledger reports, the total in the check register and the bank statements.
     
  7. The treasurer’s total balance at the beginning of the year (bank balance plus petty cash), plus all funds received, minus all expenditures, must equal the treasurer’s total balance at the end of the year (bank balance plus petty cash.)
     
  8. Examine the club inventory sheet and make sure that all property/equipment has been  properly accounted for and documented. A letter or receipt should be on file for each gift received, documenting donor, date, value and any restrictions placed on the donation by the donor.
     
    •  Peer Review Audit Report
    •  Audit Committee Review Checklist
       
IV Annual Inventory Report

Return to Financial Guidelines Index

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