The Council's principal source of income comes from the "precept" which it levies on the District Council each year. In December/January the Parish Council prepares a budget for the forthcoming financial year (1st April - 31st March). It then decides on a figure which is calculated to cover planned and expected expenditure and issues the precept on the District Council. The precept for 2010/11 is £12,500 (up from £10,000 last year). This is still the fifth lowest of the 37 Town and Parish Councils in the area covered by the New Forest District Council. The precept is then collected via the Council Tax. Other sources of income, usually for special projects, may come from grants and donations.

The Council's accounts are audited annually by the Audit Commission and are subject to the Audit Commission Act 1998 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003. See below a copy of the Annual Return for Burley Parish Council for the last fiscal year as approved by the Audit Commission.  This Return summarises the key figures in the council's accounts for the year ending 31st March 2009