BA-8 Petty Cash

Purpose
Purchases that will require reimbursement by the agency to an individual employee should be done on an emergency basis only. However, the agency recognizes that there are circumstances where an emergency out-of-pocket purchase becomes necessary. In this event, the agency maintains a petty cash fund in the Cashier Safe to reimburse employees for authorized purchases of $50.00, or less.

Scope
All College employees 

Definition
Petty Cash Accounts: Used to make payments when issuing a check is not practical, economical or timely.

Eligible reimbursements: Authorized purchases of $50.00 or less excluding:

  1. travel-related expenditures;
  2. payments for services;
  3. computer hardware/software;
  4. pre-recorded videos; and
  5. food.

Policy and/or Procedure 

  1. Eligible reimbursements of $50.00 or less will be made from the petty cash fund that is maintained in the College's Cashier Safe.
    1. Complete the “Petty Cash Reimbursement Request” form on the GatorNet.
    2. Attach original receipts to the request.
    3. Obtain the signature of an authorized signer for the account code to be charged.
    4. Present paperwork to the Cashier along with your Green River College identification badge.
    5. Sign the Petty Cash Reimbursement Request on the “Employee Signature” line to indicate receipt of the cash in the presence of the Cashier.
  2. In order to use the most economical method of payment, eligible reimbursements generally may only be reimbursed to the employee through petty cash. Checks generally will not be prepared for reimbursements that are petty cash eligible.
    1. If a check request for a petty cash eligible purchase is received in Purchasing/Accounts Payable, that request generally will be returned to the preparer to fill out the proper paperwork and receive payment through the petty cash system.
    2. An exception will be made for employees whose hours of work do not coincide with Cashier hours, or if an employee's regular work station is at a location other
      than main campus. Employees in these circumstances may be reimbursed by check.
  3. Consistent use of the petty cash system for out-of-pocket reimbursements by an individual or department (more than 12 times annually) will be reviewed by college internal control. Excessive use in most cases indicates a need for better procedures and controls within that department.

Specific Authority
RCW 42.26, Agency vendor payment revolving fund—Petty Cash Accounts 
SAAM 85.50.50, OFM Petty cash—general information  

Law Implemented

History of Policy or Procedure
Draft: October 10, 2006
Adopted: June 29, 2007
Revised:
Reviewed by:
Contact: Teresa Collins, Controller, ext. 3356
President's Staff Sponsor: Rick Brumfield, Vice President for Business Affairs, ext. 3305