Investment Policy

This Policy has been developed to comply with the requirements of the Schools of the Future Reference Guide Section 7.7.3 and is to be read in conjunction with this document.

Rationale

In accordance with DET policy for Internal Control Procedures and as a prudent investor, the school must ensure that investments are only made with institutions that are:

• prudentially sound and secure
• professionally managed
• have strong financial status in its reserves, liquidity and profitability

Aim

In pursuing funds from other sources to maintain facilities and programs, the School Council will monitor school funds carefully and invest surplus funds to generate revenue for the school.

Investment of School Funds

School Council will undertake low risk investments as follows:

• by depositing funds in any credit union, bank or building society
• in bank accepted or endorsed bills of exchange
• in negotiable, convertible or transferable certificates of deposit issued by a bank
• School council will monitor cash flow to ensure that funds are always available in the official account to meet commitments
• All investments, including reinvestments, made by the school must be endorsed by the Finance Committee and approved by the School Council and recorded in the minutes
• Investment transactions are made by the Business Manager in consultation with the Principal to maximise income provided that delegation is made by School Council/recorded in the minutes

High Yield Investment Account (HYIA)

The Business Manager requires approval for delegation from School Council to transfer funds between this account and Official Account. The Principal is to authorise in writing all movement of monies from the HYIA.

Investment Register

The school does not have any investment accounts at this time. Investment accounts will be included/ maintained on the DET CASES21 system and procedures followed in accordance with DET policy including:

• no direct deposits into Investment Accounts, except for interest earned on the account
• all monies will be receipted through the Official Account
• no direct payments will be made from the Investment Account

Investments will be manually recorded (until an electronic investment register is included on CASES21) and maintained in an Investment Register and transferred onto CASES21. The Register will contain the following information: name of institution and date of lodgment, terms of the investment – period, percentage rate/maturity date and amount invested.

Implementation

• School Council delegates to the Principal and Business Manager responsibility to operate within these guidelines
• School Council will monitor investments on compliance with the School Policy
• Appropriate Reports are to be provided to School Council on a monthly basis

Evaluation

• Audit by the DET appointed auditors.
• Annual School Report.

This policy was last ratified by School Council on:  25/03/19.