A petty cash system is a set of policies, procedures, controls,
and forms that a company uses to dispense cash for various
miscellaneous needs, such as office supplies and services.
Role of petty cash custodian include the following:
- Maintaining an appropriate level of cash in the fund, usually
equivalent to one month’s expected petty cash expenditures.
- Safeguarding cash, including storing petty cash in an
appropriate, secure receptacle when not in use. Refer to Securing
Currency, Coin, and Checks for more information about securing
petty cash funds.
- Keeping the petty cash fund physically separate from a change
fund, if one exists.
- Regularly reconciling the petty cash fund and verifying the
complete amount of the fund.
- Reporting the loss or theft of the petty cash fund to the
appropriate authorities.
- The petty cash fund custodian may be held personally liable for
losses caused by negligence or malfeasance.