Treasury, treasurer

The committee member who deals with finances and accounting is called treasurer. In Switzerland, another name for this function is quaestor. Even if there is a treasurer, the entire committee is responsible for the finances. In smaller associations, the treasury often includes the accounting activities as well.

Accounting audit in the association (vitamin B)

Certificate demonstrating voluntary executive committee work (vitamin B)

Question

The issue of finances does not play a very major role within our association. We trust each other, with the treasurer making deposits and payments. Are we nevertheless required to keep accounts?

Answer

Since 2008, the legal provisions concerning associations in Article 69a of the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB) have contained the following section:

"The committee shall maintain the association’s business ledgers. The provisions of the Code of Obligations on commercial bookkeeping and accounting apply mutatis mutandis".

The committee is therefore required to maintain accounts. Irrespective of this obligation, it is otherwise also important to handle financial matters in a clean and precise manner even if the amounts in question are not significant. While trust is good, finances, in particular, can quickly become a reason for disagreement. The members have the right to know how the money is being collected and spent and the committee should be in a position to provide information in this regard at all times.

Organisational set-up and departments within the association executive committee (vitamin B)

Project budget (vitamin B)

The association budget (vitamin B)

Treasury, treasurer

Obligation to keep accounts?

Question

Answer