Carol Waller
Quartermaster - Army

 The Post Quartermaster has certain definite responsibilities and duties as. The Quartermaster is the responsible Post Officer in financial matters - not necessarily the Post bookkeeper. For example, in a large corporation the treasurer does not physically handle the bookkeeping obligations but he/she is responsible that they are done properly, efficiently and accurately. This may also be true of the Post Quartermaster, depending upon the Post Bylaws and Club regulations. In any case, they must be familiar with all books of record and are responsible for all required Federal and State reports and payments.
• They are the responsible officer for all Post funds and property and his/her signature validates all checks.
• They keep the fiscal records for the Post and have the duty of overseeing all financial transactions.
• They must be bonded to the Post for all funds under their control.
• In the case of a large-scale Club operation, it often becomes impractical or impossible for the Post Quartermaster to physically handle all the funds or to personally keep the detailed records of operation. It is not uncommon in these cases to require that the Club Manager or a hired bookkeeper keep a separate set of club books, subject to the control of the Quartermaster and reported to the Quartermaster at regular intervals.
• The Quartermaster only pays bills which are authorized by Post action or under Post rules. They cannot refuse to pay a legitimate and properly authorized bill except for a lack of funds. Neither can they be forced to pay one which is not properly authorized. Remember that the Post cannot take away any of the authority of the Post Quartermaster although they may be relieved of some of the work.
Quite often a controversy arises between the Quartermaster and Club Manager as to responsibility for Club funds. Sometimes a fine point arises which must be arbitrated. As a rule of thumb, the Quartermaster keeps their nose out of the cash register except for checking purposes, and the Manager hides no transactions from the Quartermaster. The Quartermaster does have the right, and the duty, to determine that all reports are correct and that all funds are handled properly. They do not have the right to assume managerial responsibilities