Deadline? I Have A Deadline?
Each year I do the budget at work. Most years the budget is due towards the end of the fiscal year. When I first started working at the church the deadline was April 20. The next year it changed to later in April. After that it was sort of a nebulous "in May" date. Last year, they didn't even publish a due date at all. We try to have the Finance Committee review the budget before it gets sent to the Diocesan Finance Office. They are only an advisory committee to the pastor, so he really has the final approval. Some years we have shown it to them after it was already sent into the Diocese because of time constraints (we can always file an amended budget if necessary).
I usually start working on the budget (in a relaxed sort of mode) in December when we are halfway through our fiscal year. Sometime in February I usually get a synopsis from the Diocese of mandatory changes that I need to include in my budget figures. Because I never know when they are going to decide to make the deadline from year to year, I go at my own speed and make my own deadline. Since the last couple of years have been so "loose" on the time frame, I was not worried about getting it in on time this year. However, the pastor gave me a copy of a letter from the Diocese last week that indicated the deadline for this year will be May 1st. That is May 1st as in TODAY! Just great! Our finance meeting is May 12th!
I am grateful that many of the parishes usually ignore deadlines set by the Diocese. I normally have my reports in on time. This will not be one of those times. So tomorrow I will be scrambling to finish up by the end of the day so that the pastor can sign it before he is gone for his day off on Tuesday. We'll see how "productive" I can be. (That is for the benefit of Frustratedwriter) If I don't get it done in time, it will have to wait until Wednesday, and possibly later if Irish Pastor decides that we will just wait until after the finance committee meeting... he is very relaxed about such things... I am the OC one in the group... it's a bookkeeper thing.
I usually start working on the budget (in a relaxed sort of mode) in December when we are halfway through our fiscal year. Sometime in February I usually get a synopsis from the Diocese of mandatory changes that I need to include in my budget figures. Because I never know when they are going to decide to make the deadline from year to year, I go at my own speed and make my own deadline. Since the last couple of years have been so "loose" on the time frame, I was not worried about getting it in on time this year. However, the pastor gave me a copy of a letter from the Diocese last week that indicated the deadline for this year will be May 1st. That is May 1st as in TODAY! Just great! Our finance meeting is May 12th!
I am grateful that many of the parishes usually ignore deadlines set by the Diocese. I normally have my reports in on time. This will not be one of those times. So tomorrow I will be scrambling to finish up by the end of the day so that the pastor can sign it before he is gone for his day off on Tuesday. We'll see how "productive" I can be. (That is for the benefit of Frustratedwriter) If I don't get it done in time, it will have to wait until Wednesday, and possibly later if Irish Pastor decides that we will just wait until after the finance committee meeting... he is very relaxed about such things... I am the OC one in the group... it's a bookkeeper thing.
3 comments:
I am always facing deadlines, and as anxious as I get, I almost enjoy being on edge, rushing to get things done.
You can only do what you can do, but I bet you get it done.
Blue's right: you're a good soul for taking this on. As if you don't already have enough to do...
Still, from your writing, it's clear you love to be a part of this. That's important, and it sets a high bar for anyone who reads you.
You go girl!
Our county budget is being prepared on new software this year from a new company. I can't wait to see the exposion this causes. I'm ch of the brd but I can be very hard to reach if need be.
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