Treasurer Overview
The LAPTA Treasurer for 2026 - 2028 is Amy Brunet who can be reached at Treasurer@LouisianaPTA.org.
The Treasurer serves as the authorized custodian of PTA funds and helps ensure every dollar supports PTA’s mission to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
This officer protects PTA funds, maintains accurate financial records, pays approved expenses, prepares financial reports, and helps keep the PTA in good standing. The Treasurer works closely with the President, Executive Board, committees, and membership to ensure funds remain in the PTA account and are used only for approved PTA purposes. Strong financial procedures, clear reporting, and complete records help protect the Treasurer, the Board, and the entire PTA.
Getting Organized
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Organize your records. Set up a binder or digital folder for financial forms, receipts, bank statements, budgets, reports, minutes, tax filings, affiliation documents, and governing records.
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Set up your accounts. Obtain access to the PTA email, Givebacks, Louisiana PTA, PTA.org, and any existing financial or online sales accounts. Share important login information with the President and Secretary.
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Choose a financial tracking system. Use QuickBooks Online, MoneyMinder, Wave, or another approved program to track income, expenses, and budgets.
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Set up online sales. Work with the Executive Committee to choose a platform for memberships and other sales. Givebacks is required for membership dues and the Standards of Affiliation Report.
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Track Givebacks deposits. Review payout details and record each transfer under the correct budget category.
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Review requirements and deadlines. Read the Treasurer Toolkit, begin the Standards of Affiliation requirements, and add tax, affiliation, grant, contest, and award deadlines to your calendar.
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Keep important information available. Know your Local Unit Registration number and review free software, nonprofit discounts, and other available resources.
Amy's Tips
Amy Brunet, Louisiana PTA Treasurer, shares these important reminders. Complete guidance is available in the Treasurer Toolkit.
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Work with the school administration and PTA Board to identify needs, review programs, and approve the PTA’s plans.
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Use a financial program such as MoneyMinder or QuickBooks to track the budget, income, and expenses.
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Every expense must be included in the approved budget and supported by an Expense Form, receipt, and required approvals.
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Reconcile the bank account and online payment accounts monthly. A person who is not an authorized signer must review and sign the bank statement.
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Two people must count and document all cash. Deposit funds promptly and never leave cash unsecured.
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Raise only the amount needed to support the approved budget. Restaurant nights, Box Tops, Community Coffee, and similar programs can provide simple fundraising opportunities.
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Clearly identify donations collected for a specific purpose, set guidelines for how the money will be used, and report the results to members.
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Maintain the required PTA insurance coverage and follow all policy safeguards.
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Store PTA passwords securely and make sure account access can be transferred to future officers.
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Keep organized paper or digital financial records according to the required retention schedule.
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File the correct IRS return each year. PTAs with gross receipts under $50,000 generally file Form 990-N, those between $50,000 and $200,000 generally file Form 990-EZ, and those over $200,000 generally file Form 990. Keep proof that the filing was accepted.
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Complete an annual Financial Review using committee members who were not authorized signers during the period being reviewed.
IRS Federal Tax Filing
For an easy way to file taxes, go to irs.org, file990.org, or efile990.org. The annual deadline to file is 4 1/2 months after the close of the fiscal year, which is November 15. Support documentation and directions from the IRS are available here. The IRS uses ID.me to log in which requires a Driver's License and other authentication steps that verify your identity. Make note on your Accounts & Passwords Summary Sheet (see Toolkit for sample) for your predecessors.
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File Form 9990N if you had less than $50,000 gross income. It is very easy and quick to file electronically with only 8 items of basic information: the EIN, tax year, legal name, mailing address, and any other names the organization uses, name and address of a principal officer, website address if one exists, confirmation that the organization’s annual gross receipts are $50,000 or less, and, if applicable, a statement that the organization has terminated.
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File Form 990EZ if your gross income was between $50,000 - $200,000.
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File Form 990 if your gross income was over $200,000.
If the PTA is uncertain when taxes were last filed, search the IRS site for the PTA's tax filings. If you have further questions, call the IRS at 877-829-5500 with your EIN and complete PTA name on hand. If the IRS revoked the nonprofit status of the PTA for failing to file Form 990 for three consecutive years, visit the IRS website for full directions on "How to Have Your Tax-Exempt Status Reinstated." To reinstate, you'll need to file Form 1023-EZ here or Form 1023 (link on IRS page).
Frequently Asked Questions
Start Up Funds
Every budget should include a Startup Funds line item. This authorizes the PTA to spend up to a set amount before the General Membership approves the annual budget.
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Choose a reasonable amount for early expenses.
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Do not spend more than the approved Startup Funds amount before the budget is adopted.
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Hold the first General Membership Meeting as early as possible, such as during Open House.
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Record each purchase under its actual budget category, not under Startup Funds.
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Enter the same Startup Funds amount as both income and expense so the budget has a net effect of $0.
The Startup Funds line simply sets the maximum amount that may be spent before budget approval.
Carry Forward Balance
The carry forward balance is the amount in the PTA account on July 1, the first day of the fiscal year.
You may show it in either of these ways:
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List it above the budget as the beginning balance. MoneyMinder uses this method, but the starting balance may not be changed after the fiscal year is created.
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Include it as a budget income line item. With this method, the starting balance is entered as $0, and the July 1 account balance is listed as Carry Forward Balance income. Use $0 as the starting balance during the Financial Review.
Sample Budget #1
Sample Budget #2
Ending Balance
The ending balance is the amount the PTA expects to have in its account on June 30, the last day of the fiscal year. The PTA does not need to spend all remaining funds and should keep at least enough to cover the Startup Funds amount for the next year.
How you show the ending balance depends on how the carry forward balance is listed:
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If the carry forward balance is shown above the budget:
Do not add an Ending Balance line item. MoneyMinder will calculate the projected ending bank balance automatically. -
If the carry forward balance is included as a budget line item:
Add an Ending Balance expense line. Enter the remaining Budget Net amount there so the final Budget Net equals $0.
Free Accounting Software
A free alternative software to MoneyMinder is the Wave Financial App. If you use it, email the LAPTA Treasurer to give us feedback on it.
A free alternative software to Microsoft Office is Libre Office. It allows you to read and create Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
This policy clarifies that PTA funds are independent of the school, outlines who approves PTA spending, and includes the National PTA attorney letter as supporting authority.
This policy clarifies that PTA funds may not be used to pay school employees and volunteers.
This policy establishes standards for representing the PTA through social media and all official communications.
This policy establishes the requirements and limitations that apply when a PTA member or Board of Directors member becomes a candidate for political office.
Official PTA Forms
Use the current Louisiana PTA forms when conducting PTA business or submitting official documents.
Expense Form
Reimbursement and PTA Expenses
Financial Review Form
Yearly Financial Review of finances
Deposit Form
Used to record PTA money received.
Inventory tracking Form
Tracking PTA supplies
Nominating Committee Report
Reporting officer nominees
Tellers Committee Report
Recording election results
PTA Asset Tracking Form
Tracking PTA-owned items
PTA Monetary Donation to School
Donating PTA funds
Courtesy Seat Request Note
Requesting guest participation
Donation Receipt & Agreement
Recording donated items
Start-Up and Year-End Checklist
Beginning and closing tasks
Confidentiality, Ethics & COI Policy
Ethics and conflict agreement
Standing Rules Example
Sample rules day-to-day operations.
Sample Agenda
Sample meeting agenda.
Sample Sign in Sheet
Sample meeting sign in sheet