Dear Holy Trinity Family,

To continue the topic of the needs of a parish financial council, I would like to write a role of the finance council as this week’s message quoting directly from “Parish Finance Councils Guide for Council Members” of the Archdiocese. I hope this role may give some transparency and motivation for those who would like to join our new financial council that I intend to form now and those who wonder about what the parish financial council does.

Role of the Finance Council

1. Establish a timeline for the development of a balanced budget and for its implementation by the parish/school staff.

2. Ensure that the Parish and School follow the Chart of Accounts provided by the Archdiocese to facilitate budgeting and reporting conformity.

3. Review proposed operating and capital budgets.

4. Review significant budget variances and develop a plan of action to address and resolve or correct the issues causing the variance. If the variances cannot be corrected, the Parish Finance Council should recommend amending the budget to reach a balanced budget.

5. Review the proposed expenditures not included in the approved budgets.

6. Review the proposed budgets for all parish and school-related organizations handling significant sums of money, including groups that purport to operate independently. Financial statements from these organizations should be submitted monthly to the Parish Finance Council and included in the quarterly review.

7. Provide parishioners, and as appropriate, the school community with approved budgets for the parish and the school and periodic financial reports, at least annually.

8. Review monthly financial statements, including annal reports, prior to submission to the Archdiocesan Catholic Center. Compare all reports to budget and previous year results.

9. Review bank statements and bank reconciliation for each account on a quarterly basis.

10. Perform annual self-audits of the Parish and School to determine that proper accounting procedures are being followed.

11. Evaluate and make recommendations for maintaining and enhancing parish and school revenue, including investments, fund raising and stewardship programs.

12. Review all banking and financial institution relationships, follow Archdiocesan Catholic Center protocols concerning banking and financial institutions relationships and make recommendations for improvements if needed.

13. Ensure all Archdiocesan policies and procedures are being followed at all times with regard to fiscal and accounting activities.

14. Advise the pastor or Administrator in developing a program for the care and maintenance of all Parish and School facilities. Assist the pastor in developing a long-range plan for funding and implementing a long-term capital improvement campaign.

15. Plan and oversee the execution of a campaign to increase the weekly Sunday offertory at least once every 3 years.

May God bless all of us through the intercession of the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ!

In Christ,

Fr. Brian