News & Notes August 2000

Leadership Development:
Financial Planning and Internal Control in Conservation Districts

The 2000 PACD Summer Meeting hosted an important leadership training session focused on the financial aspect of managing a conservation district.

On Wednesday, July 26, Richard Patterson, CPA, presented "Financial Reporting and Internal Control," to conservation district staff and directors. Patterson said the training was meant to serve as a practical tool for districts to use in maintaining their finances.

"In fact, I think a lot of the people attending learned a few things about financial management that they have never considered before," he said. " I explained how they could lower the cost of their outsourcing (external audits) by actively participating in the process. It's something that many of the managers said they hadn't thought of."

Patterson told the audience that taking a more active role in your audit, is a sure way to lower cost and help to ensure good service.

A three-part financial manual was introduced and distributed to those in attendance, to serve as a future guideline. The manual includes general information about financial issues relevant to conservation districts, and will be distributed to conservation districts not in attendance by mail.

Project coordinators are hopeful that the manual will enable district directors and staff to better manage their funding in order to operate a more efficient office.

The manuals were developed by teams from the Bradford, Lancaster and Westmoreland county conservation districts, from funding provided by a Leadership Development Grant.

Patterson's workshop focused on the three categories contained within the manual: Internal Control, Selecting Software and Dealing with CPAs, and also included an explanation of the Leadership Development Grant that made the entire program possible.

Additional topics covered included the use of computers for accounting and outsourcing payroll.

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