“Keeping the Books” Free of Charge

It’s free. That might be sufficient reason to examine it.

It’s specially designed for ACS local sections. It has features that will lighten the treasurer’s workload throughout the year.

It’s easy to install and use. Once the local section financial data are entered, the information is easy to maintain, reports are easy to generate on command, and the relevant financial data are automatically exported to the annual ACS report without the need to compute, add, or otherwise massage numbers prior to the annual deadline for report submissions.

We’re referring to the “Local Section Financial Management Tool,” which has been developed as an optional resource for treasurers throughout the189 ACS local sections.

The option to use the system rests solely with each local section. There’s no expectation or requirement that a section convert to the ACS template, although there could be some advantages even for those with established bookkeeping systems in place. Many local sections are already using relatively sophisticated, computerized systems to keep their financial houses in order. Several sections use commercially available products such as Quicken, QuickBooks, Excel, and other off-the-shelf resources. And some keep paper ledgers or checkbook entries only. Regardless, it could be worth your time to take a look at the ACS template.

One of the major advantages of the system—aside from being free—is that it enables the treasurer to print out up-to-the-minute financial reports (for an Executive Committee meeting or other occasion) and prepare the financial statement for the section’s annual report within moments instead of hours. Additionally, it can be personalized to your own ledger accounts (categories and sub-categories).

Click here for more details about the LSFMT.

Dale Gaddy
Manager, Office of Local Section Activities

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