The role of the treasurer in municipal finance

The treasurer is responsible for the deposit, investment and disbursement of municipal funds. This official works with the community’s financial advisor, and manages banking services and the issuance of debt. Preparing financial reports and complying with state reporting requirements is another important responsibility. Learn more about the role of the treasurer by reviewing the resources below.

The treasurer is responsible for the turnover, investment and disbursement of municipal funds. This official works with the community’s financial advisors, and manages banking services and the issuance of debt. Preparing financial reports and complying with state reporting requirements is another important responsibility. Learn more about the role of the treasurer by reviewing the resources below.

Overview of responsibilities

• The Role and Responsibilities of the Treasurer

Cash management

• Accounts Payable Workflow (XLS)
• Cash Book Manual (PDF)
  Provides direction on completing the cash book, as well as general guidance on general treasurer cash activities.
• Cash Book Template (Excel) is a series of Excel worksheets (three interconnected worksheets per month) as a tool for maintaining and reconciling a proper cash book.
• Cash Flow Analysis and Forecast Tool (Excel)
• Cash Flow Forecasting and Short-Term Borrowing
• Reconciling Cash and Receivables
• Revenue Turnover Workflow (XLS)
• The Importance of the Treasurer's Cash Book

Debt video series

• A Deeper Dive Into Municipal Debt - Accounting for debt and surplus proceeds/abandoned projects (Video)
• A Deeper Dive Into Municipal Debt - Borrowings subject to debt exclusion approval (Video)
• A Deeper Dive Into Municipal Debt - Credit rating agencies (Video)
• A Deeper Dive Into Municipal Debt - DLS oversight/conclusion (Video)
• A Deeper Dive Into Municipal Debt - Emergency spending (Video)
• A Deeper Dive Into Municipal Debt - Full Video (Video)
• A Deeper Dive Into Municipal Debt - Introduction and overview (Video)
• A Deeper Dive Into Municipal Debt - Issuance roles and responsibilities (Video)
• A Deeper Dive Into Municipal Debt - Long-term debt (Video)
• A Deeper Dive Into Municipal Debt - Municipal borrowing authority (Video)
• A Deeper Dive Into Municipal Debt - Short-term debt (Video)
• A Deeper Dive Into Municipal Debt - Voting to borrow (Video)
• Introduction to Municipal Debt (Video)

State House notes

• How to submit State House Notes online (PDF)
• State House Notes Modernization Webinar Recording (Video)
• State House Notes Modernization Webinar Slides (PDF)
• State House Notes User Guide (PDF)

Bond ratings

• Explanation of Moody's Bond Ratings (PDF)
• Explanation of Standard and Poor's Bond Ratings
• Report: Trends in Municipal Bond Ratings

Emergency spending

• Emergency Expenditure Timeline (for emergencies not related to COVID-19) (PDF)
• Emergency spending instructions (PDF)

Reserves

• City, Town and District Reserve Funds
• IGR 2024-12 Stabilization Funds
• Stabilization Funds: Overview and Best Practices (Video)

Other funds

• Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Liability Trust Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (PDF)
• Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Liability Trust Fund (IGR2019-10)

Tools and templates

• Cash Book Template (Excel) is a series of Excel worksheets (three interconnected worksheets per month) as a tool for maintaining and reconciling a proper cash book.
• Cash Flow Analysis and Forecast Tool (Excel) is an essential treasury tool to enable informed decisions regarding cash position and investments. A cash flow analysis is the process of examining how money moves into and out of your municipality, evaluating liquidity and ensuring there is cash on hand to cover daily operating expenses and pay down debts and fixed costs.  A cash flow forecast is a financial tool that estimates the money a municipality expects to bring in (cash inflows) and pay out (cash outflows) over a specific period.
• Debt Service Calculator (Excel) 
• Debt Service Schedule Template (Excel)
• Tax Impact Calculator (Databank report)

Other DLS resources

• Completing the Tax Rate Recap Form DE-1 Webinar (Video)
• Completing the Tax Rate Recap Form DE-1 Presentation (PDF) 
• A Detailed Look at Setting the Tax Rate Handbook (PDF)
• Borrowing Guidelines: Asset Useful Life Schedules and Maximum Borrowing Terms (PDF)
• Borrowing: Purposes and Procedures (IGR 2022-2: Borrowing)
• Guidelines: Municipal Finance Provisions of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) (IGR2019-14)
• Premiums and Surplus Proceeds for Proposition 2½ Excluded Debt (IGR 2022-1)
• Understanding Municipal Debt

Local options

• Adoption Timetable: Local options meals, rooms, cannabis and community impact fee (PDF)
• FAQs: Short-term Rentals and Room Occupancy
• Guidance: Municipal Finance Law and Accounting Treatment of Retail Sales of Marijuana for Adult Use (LFO2018-3) (PDF)
• Local Option Excise on Retail Marijuana Sales (BUL2018-3)