With all the responsibilities and related deadlines that come along with serving as a nonprofit treasurer, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The following tips will help you to better cope and deal with the pressure.

Set Up a Meeting

If you’ve just been newly appointed, contact the outgoing treasurer to set up a “hand-off” meeting, if possible. The former treasurer should be able to provide you with the login information and passwords to your NFP’s bookkeeping software and online banking accounts, as well as hand over your nonprofit’s chequebooks, ledgers, and other important documents and records. Go over the NFP Handover Checklist with the exiting treasurer to ensure that nothing has been missed and that you have everything that you need to start things off right in your new role.

Keep Your Skills Current

While many treasurers come to the position with a background in finance or accounting, it’s not necessary to perform your duties well. Regardless of your experience level, make sure that you keep your financial management skills up-to-date. Search online for low-cost classes and free training that can help you acquire and sharpen your skills. This will help you keep up with your nonprofit’s finances as well as be able to offer the wise counsel and guidance that your board members need to make informed decisions and develop the strategic plans necessary for risk management and sustainable growth.

Update Your Software and Processes

Don’t make your job any harder than it has to be, by using older, outdated methods and systems. Using software, such as Admin Bandit, makes it easier to keep up with all your tasks and helps you fulfil requirements because it’s fully automated, and stores everything in the cloud so that you can improve accuracy and reclaim valuable time that might otherwise be wasted on manual data entry and tracking.

Its intuitive design is easy for volunteers of all experience levels to us as it was created especially for volunteer treasurers. The program literally walks you through the process of connecting your nonprofit’s bank accounts, while helping you to keep up with your members, create reports and other important requirements such as calculating and lodging GST on time!

Practice Good Self-Care

Being a volunteer treasurer is like many positions, there are peak times where everything seems very hectic and busy, and times when things slow down, and you can catch your breath. Regardless of the season, it’s essential to learn how to manage your energy levels so that you have the strength and willpower that you need to do your job well. Take the time to take care of yourself, especially during the holidays and as the end of year approaches. Avoid the temptation to overindulge in treats that look and taste delicious but that are unhealthy for you overall. Make time to take a break from your work and spend time with loved ones and enjoy the spirit of the season so that you can recharge your batteries and come back to your work feeling refreshed and re-energised and ready to face and conquer any challenges that your nonprofit may face in the new year!