Treasurer’s Basics
Friends who are elected to the role of a Treasurer, some for the very first time, find it helpful to have a checklist such as this where they can find basic guidelines to follow in fulfilling their new role.
It is suggested that as a new treasurer or even a veteran one, go through the following list to make sure that your Assembly’s treasury functions are in good order.
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April – Budget preparation & presentation to LSA & community
July – Annual audit is due
October – Unit Convention Budget?
November – NSA Annual Insurance Policy Renewal – Should make payment
December – Year end – encourage friends to contribute.
January – April – How can each community redouble its efforts to ensure annual goal is met.
Treasurer’s Check List
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The previous Treasurer should turn over all documents, passwords, emails, archived materials, and anything related to the role of being a Treasurer.
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The first step in becoming a Treasurer is to understand that there are two main categories of responsibilities, Fund Education & Financial Stewardship and both are equally important.
It is the responsibility of the Assembly and of the Treasurer to assist and accompany the Bahá’í community in understanding the importance the Funds play in the advancement of Baháʼu'lláh’s plan. Each believer is encouraged to develop and strengthen a relationship with each one of the different Funds of the Faith. It is important that the Treasurer provide opportunities and spaces of learning for the Friends to develop a spiritual and material understanding of the Funds.
Please refer to Stewardship Manual, Sacred Trust & LSA Guidelines for additional guidance by clicking on the link below.
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The confidential nature of the friends’ contributions should be of the highest priority. Trustworthiness is a prime requisite for the Treasurer; it is also the standard for all the friends to uphold, whether or not they are members of the Local Spiritual Assembly.
Depending on the size of the community, the tasks associated with the role of Treasurer can appear daunting; however, the responsibility is not confined to the Treasurer alone. The Local Spiritual Assembly shares this important trust and must support the Treasurer. In addition, the Assembly is free to seek the aid of bankers, trust officers, and other professionals in the management of the local Treasury. The Treasurer can bring such resources to the Assembly’s attention and, in consultation, work out a plan to bring new expertise to assist the community.
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It is strongly recommended that the Assembly appoints at least two signers on the bank account. The local treasurer should always be one of the authorized signers and an additional member of the Local Spiritual Assembly should also be named. An Assistant Treasurer may also be a signer on the bank account at the discretion of the Assembly. It is preferable if the signers on the bank account are not members of the same family.
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Confirm that the EIN and banking information for the Local Spiritual Assembly has been set up correctly.
Following its incorporation, the National Spiritual Assembly was assigned a unique EIN – Employer Identification Number which confirmed its recognition as a non-profit religious organization exempt from filing federal income tax as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This exemption also applies to every Local Spiritual Assembly under Group Exemption Number 9508 as subordinates of the National Spiritual Assembly. Each newly formed Local Spiritual Assembly is required to apply for an EIN online. Once the EIN is assigned by the IRS, it should be reported to the Office of the Treasurer to be entered into its database.
Prior to opening a bank account, the local treasurer or secretary of the Local Spiritual Assembly should contact the Office of the Treasurer requesting documentation verifying the tax-exempt status of the Local Spiritual Assembly. The documents provided by the Office of the Treasurer will include the EIN and a list of the officers of the Local Spiritual Assembly and are to be presented to the bank when opening the account.
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Log in with your Bahá’í I or enroll as a new user to process & monitor contributions for your LSA & community members. Ideally all community members should be signed up as OCS users.
To Login to the Online Contribution System click on the following link, OCS Link
To Learn more about OCS Click Here
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To appoint an assistant treasurer, complete the application & submit to OCSSupport@usbnc.org
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Please review insurance documents regarding coverage for events & activities.
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Set up a plan to keep track and review all income & expenses. Accounting Sections includes the following sub-pages: Keeping Records, Cash journal, Receiving Contributions and Community Expenditures.
Access this page by clicking on the link below
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The Treasurer must prepare the annual budget for the consideration and approval of the Assembly.
At the beginning of each Bahá’í year, prepares a Annual Budget for the the newly formed LSA,coming year.
It is helpful for the Assembly to prepare a budget in February or March so that the incoming Assembly members (who may or may not have lesser experience) have a budget to work with immediately.
Annual budget is a guide for the community’s expenditures for the coming year and can be modified based on the changing circumstances.
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Prepare a detailed report for Local and National Funds to present regular and accurate financial statements to the community every 19 days at Feast.
During Feast: Update the community on where the funds have been spent and on which line item the funds were pulled from on the budget sheet. This will give the community the opportunity to consult on the Funds and what is needed and also help guide the assembly in making financial decisions in the future.
Remember to read and share information from The Bahá’í Fund Bulletin. The Bulletin includes inspirational stories, announcements, special campaigns/events and Treasurer Notes. At the top of every Treasurer's Notes there is a quote, this could be a helpful way to promote consultation on the Bahá’í Funds and assist the Friends in further deepening their understanding and personal responsibility to the Funds.
Devote some time at every Feast to brainstorm about local efforts, not just a matter of fulfilling the local goal.
After Feast: Send a summary email to those who were unavailable to attend.
You may choose to receive the the Bahá’í Fund Bulletin by email, text or simply by clicking the link below.
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It is the Treasurer’s responsibility to prepare the annual financial report for the review and approval of the Local Spiritual Assembly. The report should summarize financial information for the year to be presented at the annual meeting.
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Annual audit is due 2 months after annual Baha’i election – preparation should start early in the year to ensure audit is submitted on a timely basis.
The Local Spiritual Assembly should select 2 auditors and confirm that the audit for fiscal year on April, 30 2025- is completed & submitted by September 2, 2025.
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“Strive, therefore, to create love in the hearts in order that they may become glowing and radiant. When that love is shining, it will permeate other hearts even as this electric light illumines its surroundings. When the love of God is established, everything else will be realized. This is the true foundation of all economics. Reflect upon it. Endeavor to become the cause of the attraction of souls rather than to enforce minds. Manifest true economics to the people. Show what love is, what kindness is, what true severance is and generosity. This is the important thing for you to do.” — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 239
Before planning a fundraising event for the Bahá’í Funds, remember that every Bahá’í fundraising event or activity should:
■ Strive to create love in the hearts of the believers?
■ Build and strengthen the relationship between the believers and the institutions?
■ Uphold the dignity of the Faith?
■ Preserve the devotional aspect of giving to the Fund?
■ Remain consistent with Bahá’í principles?
■ Promote unity among believers?
There are many possibilities for Bahá’í fundraising activities. The careful planning of these many creative ways to meet our Fund goals as individuals, institutions and communities will provide wonderful opportunities to consult and deepen on the devotional aspects of contributing to the Fund. The need to link our material work with the creation of the Divine civilization promised by Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation is prevalent in the Writings and requires special attention that should be a source of inspiration for our work.
For Guidance on Fundraising, Planning for a Spiritual Fundraiser, and Inspirational Fundraising Ideas.
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It is the responsibility of the Assembly and of the Treasurer to assist and accompany the Baha'i community in understanding the importance the Funds play in the advancement of Baháʼu'lláh plan. Each believer is encouraged to develop and strengthen a relationship with each one of the different Funds of the Faith. It is important that the Treasurer provide opportunities and spaces of learning for the Friends to develop a spiritual and material understanding of the Funds.
For additional Bahá’í Fund information such as Bahá’í Fund Overview, Workshop training, Planned Giving and Educational Resources Click Here
Texting for Treasurers!
1.) Get Treasurer updates directly to your phone.
2.) Text questions you have directly to the Office of the Treasurer.
3.) Learn about upcoming events to share with your community.
To stay connected to Treasurer information and upcoming Important dates, text 847–733–3472 and in the message box write “Treasurer”.
Have questions? After signing up, text 847–733–3472 and in the message box write your question.