Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

From the Iskcon Management Guideline Book:

PRODUCING ISKCON FINANCIAL REPORTS
- GUIDELINE #445

Purpose: To help temple produce regular financial reports to help give donors confidence and enthusiasm for supporting the project.

Quotations from Srila Prabhupada
" I am in due receipt of your statement of account and similarly every branch of our society should make periodical trial balance and balance sheet. You can advise to all the branches that such accounts be kept very nicely so that the public may know that we are very clear in our dealings." -- letter to Karandhara das, October 1971, Siksamrta, page 2319.

Jayatirtha: The next point is to obtain reports from the temple presidents, financial reports, like this . .
Prabhupada: The general report should be submitted at least monthly.
Jayatirtha: Yes. So "to obtain all reports on a timely basis..."
Prabhupada: To the board of the GBC or to the individual, zonal GBC. Yes.
-- Srila Prabhupada room conversation, 1974.

GUIDELINE:
445.1 ISKCON treasurers shall provide, as a minimum:
1. Monthly income/ expense reports
2. An annual financial statement (using the accrual method)

445.2 ISKCON treasurers shall determine their method for producing reports by following these steps: (outlines accounting specifics)

445.3 ISKCON temple presidents will deliver monthly and annual financial reports promptly to the GBC, audit committee, and to the general congregation.

(end)

> "...and to the general congregation."

Has this been followed anywhere?

Ive seen it done. I remember about 10 years ago at our temple, the new accountant on the management would put a detailed print-out of the monthly income and expenditure up on the notice board. That document alone inspired me to commit to giving a fixed monthly donation. Eventually the print-outs stopped and so did my inspiration.