New to the treasurer role? Start here.
The practical guide for kindergarten, preschool and childcare treasurers. Written by a Chartered Accountant who took on the role at his daughters' kinder and was not sure where to start either.
- What to check in your first weeks, step by step
- A monthly review checklist you can work through before each meeting
- How to report to your committee, plus budgeting and fraud protection
33 pages,checklist included
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- 200+organisations supported
- 40+finance professionals
- 2012looking after the books since
- 30 to 50%less than hiring in-house
You said yes to treasurer. Nobody handed you a manual.
Most treasurers are volunteers with a day job. Even with a bookkeeper helping, it is common to feel a bit lost and not fully trust the numbers in front of you.
You do not need to become an accountant. You need to know what to check, what to ask, and what good looks like. That is what this guide gives you.
You've got this.
What's inside
Everything a treasurer needs for the year ahead
Six sections, from your first week to your next budget.
The treasurer role and goals
What the role is today: checking and understanding the finances, not doing the books yourself.
Starting the role
Your service's obligations, funding sources and agreements, the last audit, record keeping and the key financial statements.
Protecting your service from fraud
The simple controls that keep your service's money safe.
Monthly review checklist
Reconciliations, receivables, payables, compliance liabilities and budget variance, each with the why and the how.
Reporting to your board
How to present the P&L and balance sheet, and write commentary that helps people decide.
Budgeting and industry tips
The annual budgeting process, plus best practice from across the early childhood sector.
Written by someone who has sat in your chair
Michael Kent is a Chartered Accountant and the CEO of Slate Accounts. He was also treasurer of his daughters' kindergarten, and despite his commercial background, he was not sure where to start.
Since then he has advised dozens of treasurers of early childhood services. This is the how-to guide he wished he had on day one.
Michael KentCEO, Slate Accounts
And when you want more than a guide
Finance support built for community services
Slate Accounts runs the finance function for kindergartens, preschools and childcare services across Australia.
Started by a kinder treasurer
We know what it is like to sit on a committee, sign off on budgets and answer to families. Our support is built around how community services actually run.
Continuity when your committee changes
Treasurers and committee members come and go. We keep your organisation's finances stable through each handover, with clear documentation and onboarding sessions for new treasurers.
Reports your committee can act on
Each month you see occupancy, fee income, staffing costs and cash flow against budget. We track grant income separately for easier acquittals, prepare year-end accounts and liaise with your auditor.
Support that fits around your team
No one-size-fits-all packages. Bookkeeping, payroll or monthly reporting on their own, or a fully managed finance function with CFO-level advice. As your needs change, we adjust.
In their words
Organisations that stay with Slate for years
"We love that they have a local point of contact and enjoy working with their overseas team. Bookkeeping is one of those things you want to get handled, so that you can carry on with growing your business without any worries. Slate team is exactly that for us. Very happy!"
"Great people, great systems. Have been using Slate for over 11 years and they have always been there for us. Would highly recommend."
"Manages our bookkeeping with skill and precision and offers invaluable financial planning advice. Helped our business to thrive, ensuring our financial stability and growth."
Fair questions
Before you hand over your organisation's finances
Handing over our finances is a big decision. Why Slate?
It is a big decision, and we take that responsibility seriously. Since 2012 we have supported more than 200 organisations with a team of more than 40 Chartered Accountants, bookkeepers, payroll specialists and CFOs. You will have experienced people looking after your numbers and a clear process for every step of the handover.
We already have a bookkeeper or accountant we like. Do we have to replace them?
No. We can work alongside your current accountant or staff. You do not have to replace anyone, and we build the service around what you need.
Can you help when our treasurer or committee changes?
Yes. We regularly support community-run not-for-profit services with committee transitions. We provide clear documentation, onboarding sessions for new treasurers, ongoing reporting, and a stable financial process that does not rely on volunteer knowledge.
Can you integrate with our childcare management system?
Yes. We regularly integrate CCMS platforms such as Owna, Xplor and QikKids with Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks and other accounting systems, so income, payroll information and timesheets flow cleanly and nothing is handled twice.
Is the guide really free?
Yes. Fill in the form and download the PDF straight away. There is no cost and no obligation.
Walk into your next committee meeting with a plan
Download the free 2026 treasurer guidelines and know what to check in your organisation's finances.