Maintenance and Tracking

A student group has an obligation to responsibly use its resources toward its mission and purpose.

As a best practice, student groups should track all income and expenses on a regular basis using a general ledger (record of all transactions), rather than relying on the group’s bank statements. Officers with financial responsibilities should prepare and analyze financial reports on a monthly basis (at minimum), and share the general ledger with the group’s leadership regularly at least once per semester, minimum. Other options for sharing with the group’s leadership or general membership include sharing weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, depending on the needs of the group.

General Ledger and Budgets Template

General Bank Account Information

Registered Student Organizations may not manage their finances through university accounts, and are thus encouraged to maintain external bank accounts. The steps below refer to opening and maintaining accounts at the on-campus TCF and US Bank branches. For other locations, refer questions directly to the branch.

Opening an Account

Obtain an Employer Identification Number/Tax ID Number (opens in a new tab) for your group. This allows you to open the account under a group ID, rather than an individual's Social Security Number.
Request a Bank Letter at z.umn.edu/rsobankletter (opens in a new tab). The letter will require you to list at least 2 officers who will have access to the bank account. The letter must be requested by an officer of the group.
Bring the Tax ID Number and Bank Letter to the bank. All officers being added to the account must be present with valid identification.
Groups may be required to bring a copy of their constitution. Officers are encouraged to reach out to their bank institution to confirm if this documentation is needed.

Transferring Account Access

Request a Bank Letter at z.umn.edu/rsobankletter (opens in a new tab). The letter will require you to list at least 2 officers who will have access to the bank account. The letter must be requested by an officer of the group.
Bring the Bank Letter to the bank. All new officers being added to the account must be present with valid identification.

Student Group Financial Files

A document retention policy establishes the length of time certain documents must be retained and the manner in which those documents are disposed. It is highly recommended that your group maintain complete and accurate financial records on an ongoing basis. Your group’s records should contain original, unaltered documents.

Some records need to be kept for different lengths of time. Permanent files should include your constitution, bylaws, incorporation papers (if any), IRS Determination Letter (for tax-exempt groups), Employer Identification Number, and Minnesota Employment Services Taxpayer’s number (if applicable).

Guidelines for Record Retention

All organizations are encouraged to create an internal record-keeping system, retention policy and schedule, and document destruction plan. We recommend noting the destruction date on individual non-permanent files in order to facilitate the record-keeping process for future officers.

Student Activities has created a Record Retention Guide to assist. Student Activities Advisors are also happy to meet with group leadership to discuss record retention policies.

Quick Links

Information

Locations

Coffman Memorial Union

St. Paul Student Center

West Bank Skyway