sometimes people dont like to be viewed as the heavy...i should think if one brings ones concerns to the principal, she would be more than happy to request an audit of pto books, and that would make for better reception of the request, too. if the request comes from a peer or from your head of shcool, THAT makes one huge difference. its all in the presentation, just like commercials know all too well. packaging is key, and can keep the peace among the parent body..otherwise the rumor mill will wisper,,,ohhh did you know so and so requested an AUDIT,,,and that parent will get the heat, undeserved but heat nevertheless.

regardless of structurereporting lines, and blyaw regulations, it seems common courtesy and respect dictate that at the very mimimun informing your head of school that you are requesting an audit, would be very very positive step. no one at the receiving end likes to be asked for an audit, its just human nature that folks jump to (usually the wrong) conclusions. also, ANY head of school should be in agreement with an audit of pto books, that is just good mannagement, business, and PR for the school community to have a yearly audit. and look at it this way. IF an annual audit is done, as Phil B rightly suggests, by an INDEPENDENT entitity, maybe just maybe you will reassure those asking for the audit, and even others,and actually BOOST your incomes from the parents, when they know theres nothing to worry about how their money is being managed. SO, an external audit for $300 or whatever the local rate is, might well be covered by increased contributions (not that one could ever determine cuase and effect). we all know that we volunteers do this for no pay, we have the best intentions, and that we are NOT STAFF and therefore maybe not TRAINED as a CPA to be treasurer....so audits are good check and balance. and even IF the treasurer privately is trained in finance, it is still a volunteer job, we are still all human , and humans make innocent mistakes. even the most honorable charity organizations get regular audits, dont they? why should the pto be any different. i get my car checked every year for exhaust fumes, even though it ALWAYS passes. maybe one year it wont and i will be glad i found a problem with the motor. same with preventive pediatric visits, and dental visits. its jsut good sound sense to check all systems on a regular basis whether there is an obvious problem or not. so, audits should be welcome , to show off the great books and just maybe, boost confidence and $$$donations. you just never know! like someone said earlier, if you dont do an audit upon request, youre not getting any more of my money!

Sure, let the principal know you're concerned. No harm there. I read the earlier post as needing to ask Permission from the principal.

Bottom line is smart cookie you need to get an answer on why no monthly written reports. Our principal has nothing to do with our finances but I make sure that the bank statement is at least viewed by him as well as making sure that there are written monthly reports at the meetings. It is time to make your treasurer answer up and maybe no one will agree but talk to your principal even if they have nothing to do with their group, trust me the last thing any principal would want is a scandal involving pto funds!!!

But Critter, wouldn't it be good just to let the Principal know (heads-up) that there is an issue and this is audit is important?

BUt yeah, smart cookie, a couple members can do the same job and really, I would rather see your PTO work together on this.

Unless your PTO is a committee of the school and the banking is done through the school, I don't see why you need to ask your principal. I suppose you could ask your principal for help if you want someone in the district's business office to conduct the audit?? We ask for a volunteer from our parent community in a newsletter announcement in the spring. Like Phil said, the review doesn't need to be done by a professional CPA - don't let the threat of a big fee stop you from having the books reviewed. Some PTO's form an audit committee of 3-4 people (none with check signing authority).

Basically, the audit is a review of your check book's accuracy, that all transactions have been posted properly, that no checks have been altered or are missing, that they've all been properly signed, authorized, and substantiated, etc. If you're a PLUS member, you can download a guide for conducting a PTO audit from the Bonust Tools page on this site.