Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: accounting costs

[Ruth Chaet (rchaet]

During the first year of move in at Westwood, we had a lot of sweat equity
work and now have expectations of every one doing some amount of community
work.  I have been the comptroller (bookkeeper, paying bills, preparing
statements, making monthly reports, doing the taxes, and preparing the end
of year reports for the accounting firm).  I don't get paid but am not
expected to do sweat equity or other community work.  As a member, I feel
this is my way of contributing to the group.  Also, as the "guardian" of the
budget, I don't think we could afford to pay me.  Because it involves a lot
of time, there is another member who helps with the monthly statements and
also fills in when I go away.
This is my second year of keeping the records, etc., and I am still
developing forms for reporting to the group, trying to simplify so that
people will not just glaze over when they look at the report but will ask
questions if they want more detail.
Ruth Chaet at Westwood CoHousing in Asheville, N.C.
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