Signature Card

Has anyone ever had their ward executive secretary on the signature card (signing checks)?

Resmith wrote:Has anyone ever had their ward executive secretary on the signature card (signing checks)?

I've never personally been in a ward that had done that, but the MLS Help under "Signature Card" says that signers:

... generally will include the following:

• Bishop
• Bishopric counselors
• Ward clerk
• Clerk assigned to finances
• Executive secretary

So it's certainly within policy. Of course, one of the bishopric members must provide one of the signatures on each check.

Until recently, I had not. Part of our internal QA/QC was to always have a member of the bishopric (BP, 1C, 2C) and either the Ward Clerk or Finance Clerk sign. I used to reserve that 6th space on the card for the Membership Clerk for those just-in-case scenario's. However, we now have a Membership Clerk who wants nothing to do with any other clerk responsibilities.

As a former Finance Clerk, Ward Clerk, Finance Clerk again (moved), and now Executive Secretary, I felt ok assuming these responsibilities. However, the understanding is that it would be an unusual situation where I would sign a check. Only in an immediate type circumstance where a Clerk were not available, but was certainly aware.

The Bishop (and no one else) reviews all expenditures independent of the check writing via a separate report (title escapes me).

Ultimately, it is up to each ward to create an internal policy. Hope this helps.

-mike

Alan_Brown wrote:Of course, one of the bishopric members must provide one of the signatures on each check.

Where does it state this? This is for my own edification. It is my understanding that for the check to be legally written, it must only have two signatures of persons on the signature card. I do not see in the handbook where it states that a Bishopric member must be one of the two signatures (looking in the Finance section, specifically p157 "Managing Stake and Ward Checking Accounts"). I also don't see anything in the clerk wiki or posted policy letters, although these sources are often lacking.

I believe that a Bishopric member should sign each check, but that it is a matter of local policy rather than official guidance from SLC. I do not have MLS access at the moment, as I am on travel. Perhaps it offers something more?

Much thanks for anyone who can provide clarification on this.

-mike

Resmith wrote:Has anyone ever had their ward executive secretary on the signature card (signing checks)?

In every ward where I have lived, the executive secretary has been on the signature card. He was usually the last to sign a check, but could if one of the clerks or counselors was not available.

relaxmosphere wrote:Where does it state this? This is for my own edification.

This is stated in the MLS Help under "Checks". It states

Checks

Two authorized signers. Two authorized signers sign each check. One must be a member of the bishopric (ward checks) or stake presidency (stake checks).

Thanks for the clarification from MLS! It is surprising the amount of information available in that help file that you just won't find anywhere else.

-mike

The MLS help file says its OK. In our stake the Stake Presidency introduced a only bishop, and 1st and 2nd councilor could sign checks.

So even thou MLS says its fine, and it sure is, you might just want to check if your Stake have their own guidelines on it.

I have never known, after all the years of being Ward Clerk, the exec sec signing checks.

As ward clerk, I have crossed trained my two assistant clerks. Before a bill/invoice/expense is paid it is approved by the organization and the Bishop.
Then as clerks cut checks and insure proper delivery, getting receipts for all expenses. And then as a cross check the Bishop signs off on the expense report.