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Good financial management helps your club stay transparent, accountable and sustainable. It builds trust with members, supporters and funders, and supports effective governance.

This guide outlines key steps to help clubs in Aotearoa New Zealand manage their finances well.

Why financial planning matters

A financial management plan helps your club:

• track income and spending
• meet legal and reporting obligations
• plan for future growth
• make informed decisions
• build confidence with funders and stakeholders

Role of the treasurer

The treasurer oversees all financial matters. Their responsibilities include:

• preparing budgets
• managing income and expenditure
• keeping accurate records
• reporting on the club’s financial position

Choose someone with financial skills and experience where possible.

Five steps to create a financial plan

Use these steps to build a financial management plan:

• Assess your current financial position
  Review your income, expenses, assets and liabilities.
• Set financial goals
  Decide what your club wants to achieve financially. 
• Explore options
  Consider different ways to reach your goals, including fundraising, sponsorship or cost-saving.
• Create and implement your plan
  Write a clear action plan and assign responsibilities.
• Review and update regularly 
  Revisit your plan at least annually to keep it relevant.

Understand your financial statements

Your financial statements show how your club is performing. They include:

• income and expenditure reports
• balance sheets
• cash flow statements

These help you make decisions and meet reporting requirements.

Reporting requirements

Incorporated societies

If your club is an incorporated society, you must file an annual financial statement with the Companies Office. This shows your club is still operating and keeps it on the register.

https://is-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/

Registered charities 

Charities must report to Charities Services using a tier system based on annual expenses. You’ll also need to submit a Performance Report that includes:

• your mission and activities
• financial statements
• information about branches and bank accounts

https://www.charities.govt.nz/reporting-standards/

Sport NZ resources

Use these Sport NZ guides to support your financial planning:

• https://sportnz.org.nz/resources/financial-management-for-clubs/
• https://sportnz.org.nz/resources/accounting-for-non-accountants/

Key actions for clubs

• Appoint a qualified treasurer
• Create a financial management plan
• Keep accurate records
• Understand your legal obligations
• Use Sport NZ resources to guide your planning