Question: Previous treasurer won't turn in financial records

Our PTO is transitioning to a new board and the previous treasure refuses to turn over any of our files, bank accounts etc. She is completely avoiding us, especially since I was able to add myself to our bank accounts. I am out of ideas on how to get our information from her, and her behavior is making me suspicious that something else is going on. Has anyone had any issues like this? If so, how were you able to resolve it?

Asked by Anonymous

Answers:

Advice from PTO Today

Craig writes:
That's a difficult situation, but legally those files belong to the group and not to her. Have you gotten the principal involved? Sometimes having the principal as an authority figure conveying your message can help. It's good that you've been able to add yourself to the account. You should also make sure that she has been taken off the account. Ask the bank for copies of statements going back a year or two -- typically if something fishy is going on you'll be able to tell pretty quickly.

Unfortunately, your situation isn't that uncommon -- lots of groups run into trouble getting the old records. In most cases, there's nothing bad going on -- maybe the treasurer has left the records in a mess and is telling herself she'll update them before turning them over, for example. Is there anyone on the former board who is still involved? A visit to her house by someone she knows might get the job done. Good luck!