ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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This is a timely question for us as we are looking at whether we should be
on a cash or accrual system. Another question that was brought to our
attention is that we should be classifying the exhibits we build as assets
and that these should be amortized. However, coming up with the value and
depreciation of these "non-traditional" assets seems daunting as well as
unrealistic. Have any other institutions (particularly small ones such as
ours) wrestled with this question as well? I look forward to reading
responses on the accrual question of membership.

Christy

Christy Wallace Hostetler
Executive Director
ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum
PO Box 1177
Ashland, OR  97520
541/482-6767 ext. 31
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-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Catherine Olmer
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 12:25 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: More about Membership Fees and Accounting Nightmares


ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
****************************************************************************
*

Sorry, I should have clarified that we use accrual bookkeeping and that the
auditors are saying that a membership fee paid, for example, in September
should have 1/12 show up in September and the remaining deferred for the
other 11 months.

Many thanks, again!

Cathy

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Catherine Olmer

Executive Director, WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology
Street Address:
    308 West 4th Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
Mailing Address:
    P. O. Box 996, Bloomington, IN 47402-0996
(812)337-1337, X16
(812)330-1337 fax
[log in to unmask]

Professor of Physics, Indiana University
Swain West 117, Bloomington, IN 47405
(812)855-0173
(812)855-5533 fax

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