Accounting Practices & Policies

Fiscal Year

As we are chartered by the Capitol Area Council we produce an annual financial statement.  So our financial year is the calendar year.

Financial Review / Transparency

At present our Troop Treasurer is proposing a format to regularly review our troop finances.   Eventually, these will be published quarterly in a running 12-month history as part of the concent agenda.   

Scoutmaster Budget / Expenses

The scoutmaster is allowed a budget of $150 month.

The scoutmaster's fees for campouts or summer camp are paid by the troop.

Bank Accounts / Quickbooks

For redundancy purposes at least 2 of the key three plus the treasurer will have access to financial accounts including quickbooks books, bank accounts and online payment services.  This includes debit cards for the bank accounts.

Leader Gifts / Recognition

We may recognize leaders from time to time with gifts.   However, it is our practice to pay for these with voluntary donations from other leaders or parents and NOT with troop funds.

Fundraising

The troop has two primary fundraisers every year:

• Flags over Dripping

• BSA Popcorn

A 75% of monies earned through these activities are deposited into families whos scouts particpated in the fundraising accounts as credits.   These are usable to defer troop related scouting bills.   At present a scout posting flags receives $1.75 per flag posted and $1.75 for each flag retrieved.

Equipment Related Expenses

The troop owns

• The troop trailer.  The troop must pay annual registration, insurance, and maintenance.

• Camping equipment including patrol and adult chuck boxes, backpacking gear, flags for campouts.

• Flags and tools for Flags over Dripping.

Approval of Expenses

Any expenses less than or equal to $300 can be approved by a key three vote (committee chair, scoutmaster, council unit representative or delegate).

Any expenses greater than $300 should be brought before the committee at the committee meeting or email/internet survey vote.

Accounts in Arrears

Any family account more than 90 days in arrears will be brought to the key 3 attention and the treasurer will offer financial assistance per our policies.  Depending on the outcome of that the key 3 may potentially decide action as deemed appropriate.  However, as a BSA troop we endeavor to be loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, and kind in such matters.   The author of this page has been a troop 280 leader since 2017, and to their knowledge we have never had a situation where we blocked a scout from activities because of finances.