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3 HB Fiscal Polices&Procedures <br /> Section • • • <br /> A. Overview <br /> This manual documents the fiscal policies and procedures to be upheld by Hope Builders (HB). The <br /> fiscal policies and procedures ensure sound internal controls, fiscal responsibility, and <br /> accountability in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and <br /> adherence to standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). As a 501(c)(3) tax <br /> exempt nonprofit organization, HB is entrusted with funds granted by foundations and individual <br /> contributors and must adhere to the highest standards of accounting. <br /> Fiscal policies and procedures comprise HB's internal control structure. The control structure's <br /> main objective is limiting any potential unwarranted use of assets or misstatement of account <br /> balances. Several basic components of the internal control structure include: (1) the control <br /> environment, (2) the accounting system, (3) control procedures, and (4) the accounting cycle. <br /> An organization's policies and procedures can dictate its business practices. <br /> Ranging from day-to-day accounting principles to board oversight, policies and <br /> procedures touch all activities and people at a nonprofit. While it may seem that <br /> Finance it, these policies merely reflect current and/or best practices, in fact they represent <br /> the values of the organization. While establishing or revisiting policies, <br /> organizations benefit from examining whom the policy impacts and how, whether some <br /> individuals or groups might feel the policy's impact disproportionately, and whether the <br /> policy perpetuates inequity. Consider policies that allow staff to propose policy/process <br /> updates, the decision-makers, and the expectations. Establish equitable consequences for <br /> not following procedures - the tone at the top matters. <br /> B. Internal Control Structure <br /> 1. The Control Environment <br /> The control environment reflects the importance HB places on internal controls as part of its day- <br /> to-day activities. Factors that influence the control environment can include the tone at the top <br /> set by management and the Board of Directors, organizational structure, ways of assigning <br /> authority and responsibility, methods of management and control, personnel policies and <br /> practices, protection of informants of improper activities, and external influences such as <br /> significant funder expectations. <br /> 2. The Accounting System <br /> The accounting system encompasses the methods, accounting software, and records used to <br /> identify, assemble, classify, record, and report accounting transactions. ideally, the accounting <br /> system should: <br /> • Identify and record all of HB's transactions. <br /> • Provide detailed descriptions of transactions allowing for classification in financial <br /> reporting. <br /> • Highlight the time period when transactions occurred to ensure they are recorded in the <br /> correct accounting period. <br /> 3. Control Procedures <br /> Last updated September 2022 <br />