Where is the money being kept before going to the bank? After having an officer help themselves to some money, we are now firm believers in having 2 people count and sign off on all deposits. Once it's counted it gets locked up in the school safe until an officer can get to the bank.

We have the 2 person rule also. I have a treasurer that is suspicious when it comes to money. I count all the money with the secretary and we both sign off on the deposit.

Noberly, to be on the really safe side, I would make sure that you need to signatures on all checks, if the principal is one of the signatures. (or even if they aren't, it is still a good procedure.) They don't sound like they have much respect for your group, if they insist on opening the mail.

Sounds like you need to change where the statement is mailed or move to online statements. Note online statements may be the answer - but be sure to change passwords as officers change.

At our school, when the bank statement,{clearly marked as the PTO Account}, is mailed to the school, the school accountant opens and reads it.
We occationnally don't receive it for days or at all. My problem with this is that administration seeing our balance sends numerous requests on how to spend the money. Last years principal, now gone, actually sent people to the meetings trying to guilt us into paying for bills that had already been payed for by the school. We had a very expensive goal; risers and lights for school presentations were desperately needed; at school year end we still did not have enough to reach our goal. The principal saw our funds and thought she could push us to spend it; because a lack of a forum to vote.... she did not succeed! Bottom line, PTO should have the right to open their own mail, shouldn't they? We are not trying to hide anything but our Fundraising efforts are totally our efforts and how we choose to share what funds are available should be based on the PTO's membership. Administration insists they have the right and will continue to open our mail despite our protests.

I agree with all the posts. I am currently a treasurer of a PTO for 2nd year running. The first year I butt heads with many people because I wanted the chairpeople to do a count and turn it in with any money-showing checks total and cash total. They did not feel it was their responsibility. I told them it was a way for me to find any discrepancies in the money and a way to manage our audit. You would be surprised how many are out there that don't see this need. It has gotten better this year, but I still have challenges getting people to even turn in receipts for items they want to be reimbursed for.