Segregation
One of the most important measures your ministry can take to protect cash and YOU is implement segregation of duties, i.e. no single person should have control of the cash process.
Ensure that the function of counting contributions and receipts is segregated from the depositing, general ledger and reconciliation functions.
Accountability
Accountability means that ALL cash is accounted for, properly documented, secured and traceable. When accountability is implemented properly, the ministry is able to answer the 4 W’s at any given time:
- Who has access to cash
- Why they have access to cash
- Where is cash at all times
- What has occurred from the transaction’s beginning to the end
Reconciliation
The monthly bank reconciliation is the single most important control that ties everything together. It allows the ministry to ensure that all cash transactions are accounted for and properly recorded. Once the reconciliation is complete, it should also be reviewed by someone other than the preparer for accuracy, i.e. the business administrator, member of finance committee, your CPA etc.
