Dollars and Sense

What do the Duties of Care and Loyalty look like?

HomeschoolCPA Carol Topp frequently mentions that homeschool leaders have a duty of care and loyalty to their groups. What does a duty of care look like? How do I know if I am being loyal?

This recording is from a workshop given to homeschool leaders in Austin Texas in February 2020.

Some of the ways to demonstrate a duty of care and loyalty for a leader include:

• Have Board meetings
• Manage the money well
• Have insurance
• Avoiding conflict of interest
• No self dealing (the board gives itself discounts)

Handout of the workshop: https://homeschoolcpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Top-Tips-Handout-2020.docx

Featured Resources:

Money Management in a Homeschool Organization

• Does your homeschool group manage their money well?
• Do you have a budget and know where the money is spent?
• Do you know how to prevent fraud?

This 115 page book will help you to open a checking account, establish a budget, prevent mistakes and fraud, use software to keep the books, prepare a financial statement and hire workers. Sample forms and examples of financial statements in clear English are provided.

A checklist of best practices to avoid embezzlement. It is available at HomeschoolCPA.com/Fraud

Podcast # 105 Podcast episode on preventing fraud

How to avoid self-dealing. The board cannot vote themselves benefits like discounts.  Listen to Podcast #71 on how to thank volunteers without self-dealing.

Mindset for Homeschool Leaders

HomeschoolCPA, Carol Topp spoke to a group of homeschool group leaders in Texas about a good mindset and attitudes that are necessary for leading a homeschool group. In this episode Carol reminds leaders of three things they may have forgotten:

• You cannot be all things to all people-so stop trying!
• Your organization is not essential to the success of homeschooling!
• You are not responsible for homeschooling other peoples’ children!

This recording is from a workshop given to homeschool leaders in Austin Texas in February 2020.

Handout of the workshop: https://homeschoolcpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Top-Tips-Handout-2020.docx

During the podcast Carol mentioned the I am a Homeschool Group Leader Facebook group. Please join us!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/72534255742/

Featured Resource

Phone Consultation with Carol Topp, CPA

Phone Consultation: A pre-arranged phone call to discuss your questions about being a homeschool group leader. My most popular service for homeschool leaders. It’s like having your own homeschool expert CPA on the phone!

Cost: $100/hour to nonprofit organizations. $150/hour to for-profit businesses.

Contact HomeschoolCPA, Carol Topp, CPA, to arrange a telephone consultation.

Click Here to request more information!

During the COVID-19 pandemic many homeschool programs used Zoom to stay connected with members. Three group leaders share how they used Zoom in their programs in this podcast episode.

In June 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain of they could operate.

This podcast will air the highlights in small chunks over five episodes.

Join this episode and the other episodes as Carol and three panelists discuss:

• Part 1: Making decisions as a board or team
• Part 2: Tools a homeschool group can use for planning an uncertain future
• Part 3: Dealing with social distancing rules and wearing masks
• Part 4: Questions regarding lawsuits, health restrictions, and accommodating new families
• Part 5: How to communicate the plan to the members
• Part 6: Using Zoom, offering refunds and other topics.

During the podcast Carol mentioned the I am a Homeschool Group Leader Facebook group. Please join us!

The webinar is available to watch on YouTube or no charge.  It runs for one hour and 38 minutes!

Featured Product

Books for Homeschool Leaders

HomeschoolCPA has several books to help leaders start and run a homeschool program

• Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out
• Money Management for Homeschool Organizations
• The IRS and Your Homeschool Organization
• Paying Workers in a Homeschool Organization
• Homeschool Board Member Manual
• Taxes for Homeschool Business Owners

All these books can be found at https://homeschoolcpa.com/bookstore/

On June 1, 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain of they could operate.

The webinar is available to watch on YouTube at no charge. https://youtu.be/AaQ1c_XuUvY? It runs for one hour and 38 minutes! This podcast will air the highlights in smaller chunks over five episodes.

Join this episode and the other five episodes as Carol and three panelists discuss:

• Part 1: Making decisions as a board or team
• Part 2: Tools a homeschool group can use for planning an uncertain future
• Part 3: How are the panelists dealing with social distancing rules and wearing masks
• Part 4: Questions regarding lawsuits, health restrictions, and accommodating new families
• Part 5: How to communicate the plan to the members and organize a classroom
• Part 6: Using Zoom, offering refunds and other topics.

During the podcast Carol mentioned:

• A mentoring program to train others in helping homeschool leaders. Get details at com/mentoring
• The I am a Homeschool Group Leader Facebook group. Please join us! https://www.facebook.com/groups/72534255742/

Featured Product

Mentoring from HomeschoolCPA

Carol Topp, CPA, the homeschool CPA, is offering a mentoring opportunity to train mentees to assist homeschool groups and their leaders.

A potential mentee should have:

• Love and passion for homeschooling.
• Education and experience in accounting. A BS or BA in business or accounting. CPA license (even if currently inactive) is strongly preferred.
• Experience in nonprofit leadership such as being on a board of a church or nonprofit organization

For more information go to https://homeschoolcpa.com/mentoring/

Do you have a concern about lawsuits related to COVID-19?

As a homeschool group leader you may have concerns that a lawsuit could be brought against your group is someone contracts COVID-19.

On June 1, 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain of they could operate.

The webinar is available to watch on YouTube at no charge. https://youtu.be/AaQ1c_XuUvY? It runs for one hour 38 minutes! This podcast will air the highlights in smaller chunks over five episodes.

Join this episode and the other five episodes as Carol and three panelists discuss:

• Part 1: Making decisions as a board or team
• Part 2: Tools a homeschool group can use for planning an uncertain future
• Part 3: How are the panelists dealing with social distancing rules and wearing masks
• Part 4: Questions regarding lawsuits, insurance, health restrictions, and accommodating new families
• Part 5: How to communicate the plan to the members
• Part 6: Using Zoom, offering refunds, and other topics.

Insurance providers for homeschool groups https://homeschoolcpa.com/insurance-providers-for-homeschool-groups/

During the podcast Carol mentioned the I am a Homeschool Group Leader Facebook group. Please join us!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/72534255742/

Featured Product

Phone Consultation with Carol Topp, CPA

Phone Consultation: A pre-arranged phone call to discuss your questions. My most popular service for homeschool leaders. It’s like having your own homeschool expert CPA on the phone!

Cost: $85/hour to nonprofit organizations. $100/hour to for-profit businesses. $60 minimum.

Contact HomeschoolCPA, Carol Topp, CPA, to arrange a telephone consultation.

Click Here to request more information!

Social Distancing in a Homeschool Group

Three homeschool leaders discuss the challenges of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In June 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain of they could operate. This podcast will air the highlights in small chunks over five episodes.

Join this episode and the other episodes as Carol and three panelists discuss:

• Part 1: Making decisions as a board or team
• Part 2: Tools a homeschool group can use for planning an uncertain future
• Part 3: Dealing with social distancing rules and wearing masks
• Part 4: Questions regarding lawsuits, health restrictions, and accommodating new families
• Part 5: How to communicate the plan to the members
• Part 6: Using Zoom, offering refunds and other topics.

During the podcast Carol mentioned:

• Criteria to consider when social distancing: “From Camping To Dining Out: Here’s How Experts Rate The Risks Of 14 Summer Activities”
  npr.org/sections/health-shots/ May 23, 2020
• For the RegFox discount Amanda mentioned, email her at admin@excellenceinlearning.org
• The I am a Homeschool Group Leader Facebook group. Please join us! https://www.facebook.com/groups/72534255742/

The webinar is available to watch on YouTube at no charge. https://youtu.be/AaQ1c_XuUvY? It runs for one hour 38 minutes

Featured Product

Books for Homeschool Leaders

HomeschoolCPA has several books to help leaders start and run a homeschool program

• Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out
• Money Management for Homeschool Organizations
• The IRS and Your Homeschool Organization
• Paying Workers in a Homeschool Organization
• Homeschool Board Member Manual
• Taxes for Homeschool Business Owners

All these books can be found at https://homeschoolcpa.com/bookstore/

Tools for Planning an Uncertain Future

Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders in June 2020. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain of they could operate.

This podcast will air the webinar highlights in small chunks over five episodes.

Join this episode on using a decision matrix and the other five episodes as Carol and three panelists discuss:

• Part 1: Making decisions as a board or team
• Part 2: Tools a homeschool group can use for planning an uncertain future
• Part 3: How are the panelists dealing with social distancing rules and wearing masks
• Part 4: Questions regarding lawsuits, health restrictions, and accommodating new families
• Part 5: How to communicate the plan to the members
• Part 6: Using Zoom, offering refunds and other topics.

Download the Decision Matrix spreadsheet at HomeschoolCPA.com/DecisionMatrix

During the podcast Carol mentioned the I am a Homeschool Group Leader Facebook group. Please join us!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/72534255742/

The webinar is available to watch on YouTube at no charge. https://youtu.be/AaQ1c_XuUvY? It runs for one hour 38 minutes.

Featured Product

Webinars for Homeschool Leaders

HomeschoolCPA offers several recorded webinars for homeschool leaders. Most are 60-90 minutes and come with handouts and other resources. Prices range from free to $25 each.

Create a Nonprofit for Your Homeschool Community The first steps in starting a nonprofit: a board, bylaws and nonprofit incorporation

501c3 Application for Homeschool Nonprofit How to apply for 501c3 tax exempt status

IRS and State Filings What you need to do after 501c3 status

Tax Preparation for Homeschool Businesses How to prepare your tax return for homeschool business owners

Financial Reports How to present financial reports that are clear and easy to understand to board members  FREE

ABCs of an Academic Homeschool Program How to start an academic, classical homeschool program

Planning an Uncertain Future for Homeschool Groups

On June 1, 2020, Carol Topp of HomeschoolCPA.com hosted a webinar titled Planning an Uncertain Future for homeschool group leaders. The purpose of the webinar was to help homeschool groups plan their fall activities given the COVID-19 pandemic was making it uncertain if they could operate.

The webinar is available to watch on YouTube at no charge. https://youtu.be/AaQ1c_XuUvY? It runs for one hour 38 minutes! This podcast will air the highlights in smaller chunks over five episodes.

Join this episode and the next five episodes as Carol and three panelists discuss:

• Part 1: Making decisions as a board or team
• Part 2: Tools a homeschool group can use for planning an uncertain future
• Part 3: How are the panelists dealing with social distancing rules and wearing masks
• Part 4: Questions regarding lawsuits, health restrictions, and accommodating new families
• Part 5: How to communicate the plan to the members
• Part 6: Using Zoom, offering refunds and other topics.

During the podcast Carol mentioned the I am a Homeschool Group Leader Facebook group. Please join us!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/72534255742/

Featured Product

The  Board Manual for homeschool organizations will be very helpful to organize your board and run your homeschool organization successfully!

Author and homeschool advisor, Carol Topp, CPA, has created a Homeschool Organization Board Manual. It is a template to create a board member binder. It has:

• A list of important documents to keep in your binder
• Section dividers so you can organize the important papers
• Tools to help you run your meetings smoothly including
• A sample agenda that you can use over and over again
• A calendar of board meetings

But this is more than just a few cover sheets for your binder. It is also a 55-page board training manual with helpful articles on:

• Suggested Board Meeting Topic List
• Board Duties
• Job Descriptions for Board of Directors
• What Belongs in the Bylaws?
• Compensation and Benefits for Board Members
• Best Financial Practices Checklist
• How to Read and Understand Financial Statements
• Developing a Child Protection Policy

Read more about the Homeschool Organization Board Manual

Have you heard of pod schools? They are groups of parents who gather together to educate their children outside of their public school system. They became very popular as in-person schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the fall of 2020.

In the previous episode (#195) host Carol Topp, the Homeschool CPA, discussed with guest Julie Schiffman two distinct differences between pod schools and homeschools.

• Who does the educating, the pod teacher or the parent?
• Where does the education take place: In the pod space (a home or rented facility) or everywhere?

In today’s episode, Julie explains two more important differences between “pandemic pods” and homeschooling.

• How is the curriculum chosen and delivered: Set by the school or chosen by the parent and customizable for the child’s needs?
• Why? What is the motivation to educate this way: a pandemic or something deeper?

Julie Schiffman is owner of TenToad.com a website dedicated to helping parents transition from school to homeschooling though Virtual Homeschool Fairs.

During the podcast Carol mentioned Julie’s Learning Pods Checklist and Considerations

Featured Product

Phone Consultation with Carol Topp, CPA

Phone Consultation: A pre-arranged phone call to discuss your questions about starting and running a homeschool organization, co-op or tutorial program. This is my most popular service for homeschool leaders. It’s like having your own homeschool expert CPA on the phone!

Cost: $85/hour to nonprofit organizations.  $100/hour to for-profit businesses.

Contact HomeschoolCPA, Carol Topp, CPA, to arrange a telephone consultation.

Click Here to request more information!