Financial Protocol

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) defines the mandatory financial processes for American Legion Post 86, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the Post’s financial records and resource management.

I. Core Doctrine & Authority

  • Governing Authority: The Post Finance Officer is responsible for managing all Post finances and ensuring funds are safely deposited.
  • Authorization: The Post Executive Committee is entrusted with the general financial authority to authorize and approve all expenditures. No funds shall be disbursed without proper authorization documented in the approved minutes of a Post or Executive Committee meeting.
  • Required Accounts: The Post must maintain, at minimum, a General Account (primary operating funds), Building Account (infrastructure funds), and a Benevolent Account (charity funds).

II. Accounting & Record-Keeping

  • Internal Ledger Management (Official Source of Truth): The Post shall utilize a dedicated, double-entry budgeting system (currently Actual Budget) as the official financial ledger. This system shall be used to reconcile all bank transactions, split fees from gross income, and maintain the verified real-time balance of all accounts.
  • Receipt Management & Formal Reporting: The Post shall maintain a cloud-based system (currently WaveApps) for the purpose of digital receipt storage and generating formal year-end financial statements (Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet).
  • Activity Summaries Spreadsheets: shall be used to generate the “Monthly Activity Summary,” tracking the gross collection of funds and operational expenses between reporting periods for member presentation.
  • Document Retention: Per C&BL Directives Tax returns, bank statements, and accounts payable/receivable ledgers must be retained for a period of seven (7) years.

III. Funds Management & Deposit Protocol

  • Deposit Timeline: All cash, checks, and electronic payments received by the Post shall be prepared for deposit in a timely manner. The Post establishes a target goal of two (2) weeks from the date of receipt for deposits. However, recognizing the volunteer nature of the Post officers, this timeline is a guideline, provided that all undeposited funds are kept in a secure, locked location at all times until deposit.
  • Disbursement Authority (Checks): The signature of the Post Finance Officer is the sole requirement for the disbursement of funds by check.
  • Alternate Authority: Should the Finance Officer be unavailable, a check may be signed by the Commander, Adjutant, or (1st) Vice Commander, provided the reason for the Finance Officer’s unavailability is documented.
  • Revenue Classification & Splitting: To ensure compliance with IRS Form 990, all deposits—especially mass deposits—must be split and categorized in the ledger by their specific revenue source (e.g., Member Dues, Fundraising, General Donations) rather than by the payment processor. Mass deposits containing restricted funds (e.g., Building Fund) must be split in the ledger and followed by a physical bank transfer to the appropriate account.
  • Donation Acknowledgement: For all donations of $250 or more (and upon request for smaller amounts), the Post shall issue Form 86-FIN009 (Donation Acceptance Letter) containing the mandatory IRS statement: “No goods or services were provided in exchange for this contribution.”

IV. Expenditure & Reimbursement Protocol

To receive payment or reimbursement, all members and officers must adhere to the following procedures:

  • Standing Authorization: Recurring operational expenses (e.g., utilities, insurance premiums, software subscriptions) are considered pre-authorized by the standing budget and do not require individual monthly approval, provided they remain within 10% of the expected norms.
  • Deadline: All receipts, invoices, and requests for reimbursement related to an expenditure must be submitted to the Post Finance Officer by the deadline set for the next regular General Membership Meeting.
  • Reimbursement Standard: The Post adheres to a strict “No Receipt, No Reimbursement” policy. Requests submitted without a completed Form 86-FIN001 (Reimbursement Request) signed by the Commander accompanied by a valid receipt (digital or physical) will be automatically rejected.
  • Approved Submission Channels: Documents (Form + Receipt) may be submitted through the following official methods:
  • Approved Submission Channels: Documents (Form + Receipt) may be submitted through the following official methods:
    • Uploaded via the Post Document Management System (SeedDMS) (Preferred).
    • For authorized users, receipts may be uploaded directly into the Post’s accounting software (WaveApps).
    • Emailed directly to the Post Finance Officer.
    • Delivered in person or placed in the designated Finance Officer’s mailbox.

V. Reporting & Accountability

Periodic Reports

  • Monthly Activity Summary: Effective January 1, 2026, the Post Finance Officer shall report on the financial activity of the Post on a calendar-month basis (1st – End of Month). This report shall be titled “Financial Activity Summary” and presented at the subsequent General Membership Meeting.
  • Year-End Close: A comprehensive Year-End Financial Activity Report (covering Jan 1 – Dec 31) shall be presented at the January meeting. This report serves as the formal close of the fiscal year for tax purposes.

Compliance

  • Annual Financial Review: An annual financial review of all Post records will be conducted at the end of the fiscal year, led by the Post Judge Advocate.

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