Dave Lawrence's Views on Financial Matters

Main Points of each Article
The author in the article “A board member’s guide to financial statement emphasizes the manner in which this information can assist board members to comprehend the accounting routine and the submission of the data in detail to its members via the treasurer. Observations made while being a guest at a board meeting appalled him at the approach the treasurer took to deliver the financial statement and at the board members who accepted the statement without querying the data.
Dave emphasizes that, as administrators there should be some connection with the financial aspect and the “vision” of the school. Hence, “board members need to voice this and ensure it does occur. It is the prerogative of “Board members” to unravel the “financial statement” in order to make query and decipher the truths of the statement without being gullible. They are accountable for the daily financial activities that takes place at the school. Even though the school is not operating for financial gain it must however be able to sustain itself. Thus, allowing the school to achieve goals that will broaden its horizon such as “outreach programs”.
In the article “Communicating Financial Matters: Expectations of a School Business Officer”, Dave reiterated that, the role of the “business manager” is to ensure that all the facet of the school’s business is properly accounted for and to be capable enough to deliver the statement explicitly for the “administrators and the constituents”. This job is demanding and requires the “business manager” to impact fully conveyance of detailed information of the statement without the use of dense “jargons” which can be unfamiliar to many of the board member. Thus, the paramount intention of the stat...

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...t they are more capable of making positive decisions concerning the development of staff and the institution. According to Dave, the budget needs to be realistic and relevant to the activities of the school. Even though the school is not for profit making but the “business manager” need to strategize and plan the budget in such a way that it reflects some level of management and support, thus enabling it to be successful.
Hence, business managers can learn from this article that having a realistic budget will contribute to its versatility which allows the institution to achieve and maintain its ultimate goal of being self- sufficient.
Reference

Works Cited

Lawrence, Dave. (2004), A board member’s guide to financial statement. Vol. 66 Issue 5.
Lawrence, Dave. (2008). Communicating financial matters: Expectations of the school’s business officer. Vol. 70 Issue 5.