The audit should be done by someone INDEPENDENT of the board or ANY check signing authority.

A parent who can balance a checkbook is acceptable. If you need to pay a CPA or other professional, that is OK too. Even a past Treasurer would do.

we have never had an audit, at least, not by someone without check signing authority.
seems we operate on implicit trust and the assumption that humans can make no (human) mistakes.
our pto is not a corporation, and is not part of the school, so its an entity unto its own, with no external checks and balances in place. it sounds like other ptos operate differently, and by asking for an audit doesnt mean you suspect somethings amiss, its jsut like in the corportate world, audits are necessary, and GOOD for finding errors, and reassuring the stockholders that everything is fine and dandy and no need to worry. by REFUSING an audit, now THAT would send a red flag. just like dr phil says, those who have nothing to hide, hide nothing (or somethihng like that ). he is right.if you ask the principal for an audit of pto books, and she says NO, you have to wonder WHY NOT??????

We,also, have not had an audit in 6 years , at least. And some of us were wanting an audit and were like you...unsure how to ask the principal about it. I, actually, just had a meeting with him and asked about it and he agreed. I was surprised how easy it was! So, now we are getting an audit and this should happen every year. We feel like it just helps us all on the right page and the same page! Just ask your principal, they may be very accepting of it (hopefully)! best of luck!

I am so happy to receive such wonderful advice from so many who know how to run a PTO. I will be suggesting a third party audit from an independant person (I was told that would cost the PTO approx. $300, and well worth it), due to the fact that less than 24 hours after our metting where I approached the board for a written treasure's report they say they will all be stepping down from the board, this gives me the thought that I was on the right track all along and maybe we will finish the year with a checker flag instead of the RED FLAGS!!!!

Any thoughts on how I might approach the principal on asking for the audit? Is this the person I should be going to if indeed all of our board members are stepping down?

its utterly amazing to hear all the issues ongoing at PTOs.....its a whole other world out there,,,,i thought it was just schooling for kids but seems the PTA/O adults have quite a learning curve too.

THAT is theunderstatment of the year!

If you can't run, what you are asking to do can still be done but you are just going to have to be a polite pain in the ....... Works for many of our parents! HA!
Seriously, I hope it's just a misunderstanding and nothing outright criminal. But really, by-laws or not, this is just information parents should know. and president, vice, secretary...sorry having our own treasurer issues.

i think Ghandi said the same thing:
" Be the change you wish to see in the world."

if you see something that can be done better, offer to help fix the matter. be proactive, offer constructive criticism and offer your time or expertise in developing a solution.

its utterly amazing to hear all the issues ongoing at PTOs.....its a whole other world out there,,,,i thought it was just schooling for kids but seems the PTA/O adults have quite a learning curve too.