The role of a nonprofit treasurer is one of the most critical positions on your board—and it's about far more than just balancing the books. Whether your organization is entirely volunteer-led or has a full finance staff, the treasurer plays a key part in protecting your nonprofit’s financial health.

So, what exactly does a nonprofit treasurer do?

At its core, the treasurer’s responsibility comes down to this:

Safeguard the nonprofit’s financial assets and ensure transparency, accuracy, and accountability.

Let’s break that down into a few key areas:

1. Financial Oversight & Reporting

The treasurer ensures the organization has accurate, up-to-date financial records. They don’t have to do the bookkeeping themselves (especially in larger organizations), but they do need to understand the numbers, ask smart questions, and ensure that financial statements are up-to-date, reliable and complete.

This includes:

• Reviewing and presenting financial reports to the board
• Ensuring proper maintenance of financial records
• Overseeing financial forecasting
• Helping the board interpret financial data for decision-making

2. Budget Leadership

The treasurer often plays a role in drafting, reviewing, or approving the annual budget—especially in smaller nonprofits without a finance committee. At the board level, others often look to the treasurer as the “voice of financial reason.” They help the board feel confident that the budget is realistic and mission-aligned.

3. Internal Controls & Financial Policies

Even if a nonprofit has staff handling day-to-day transactions, the treasurer is responsible for making sure internal controls are in place and working. These are your “checks and balances”—processes to help prevent errors, fraud, or mismanagement.

That means reviewing:

• Who approves expenses
• How cash is handled
• What kind of documentation is retained
• Whether the organization is actually still following its own financial policies

4. Compliance & Filing Requirements

This area is especially critical.

The treasurer helps ensure the organization complies with:

• IRS filings (like Form 990)
• State charitable registrations and annual reports
• Payroll and tax requirements
• Any other legal financial obligations tied to your tax-exempt status

They don’t necessarily file everything—but they should be the one asking, “Have we submitted all our reports on time?”

5. Leadership Presence

While the treasurer’s role may vary based on your nonprofit’s size and structure, one thing stays the same: the treasurer must stay informed and involved. They don't need to do all the hands-on work themselves, but they are responsible for oversight. In many cases, that makes them one of the most trusted and influential voices on the board.

Final Thoughts

The specific duties of a nonprofit treasurer may look different depending on your organization’s size and staffing—but the responsibility to oversee the financial health of the organization is non-negotiable.

Whether your treasurer is hands-on with the books or simply guiding from a governance level, make sure they have the knowledge, experience, and time to fulfill this essential role.

Need a little help getting started?

Grab my free Financial Task Checklist to help nonprofit leaders organize weekly, monthly, and annual responsibilities.

Need More Support?

For many nonprofits (like rapidly growing churches facing big decisions about expansion, capital campaigns, and staffing) simply having a good finance team is not enough. In the churches and other nonprofits that I work with, it’s very common to find a wonderful finance team doing an excellent job handling day-to-day accounting and reporting but lacking the experience or expertise needed for higher-level strategic planning and forward-looking financial leadership. That’s where fractional CFO services come in. As a fractional CFO, I’m not replacing or duplicating anything that the finance team does to look back at the finances and keep the books in order. Instead, I bring my 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership as a strategic partner with the board and executive team, using financial data to tell a story, spot trends earlier, and build a roadmap to help the organization go from where they are now to where they want to be in one, five, or ten years.

A fractional CFO can work alongside your treasurer and executive leadership to:

• Strengthen internal controls
• Provide accurate and timely financial reports
• Lead budgeting and forecasting
• Ensure compliance with all regulations
• Offer strategic financial insight to support better decisions for your mission

If your organization is going through a transition, experiencing rapid growth, or you’re ready for a higher level of financial leadership—let’s talk! I look forward to serving you.