Good record keeping is essential to meet your reporting requirements to the organisation, funding bodies, clients, government and the community.
Community organisations that are incorporated in South Australia must meet record keeping obligations by ensuring proper accounting records are kept which correctly record and:
- explain the transactions of the association and its financial position
- having a public officer responsible for maintaining records and reporting to the Office for Business and Consumer Affairs as required
- ensuring that minutes of all committee and general meetings are kept.
You will also need to keep any records that are required under other relevant legislation or agreements that you have with funding bodies if you receive grants.
To ensure that you are keeping your records properly, you'll need to understand:
- what information is required
- who is responsible for collecting the information
- what procedure will be used collect the information
- where it should be kept
- how long it must be kept
- how it is meant to be used.
Records that your organisation may keep to ensure that your organisation runs as well as possible could include:
- employee records
- management committee records
- volunteer records
- client records.
Your organisation will also need to ensure that any personal information is collected, kept and used in a way that meets the requirements of privacy legislation.
More information
On this site Keeping records about volunteers Privacy - responsibility of community organisations Incorporated Associations Resources for community organisationsLegal advice and assistance for community organisations
Other websites
Information for not-for-profit organisations - Australian Taxation Office
Record-keeping for treasurers - Our Community