Strengths
|
Weaknesses
|
Authorization
|
Excel has a formal statement of policies and procedures for agent reimbursements.
|
There is no limit on the agent’s total weekly expenditures or cash advances.
|
Expense reports must be approved by the Branch Manager prior to payment.
|
Expense reimbursement checks are sent to the Branch Manager for distribution rather than to the agent. This allows the Branch Manager to submit a fictitious expense reimbursement for a former agent or one on vacation and then cash the check.
|
Recording
|
Accounting receives approved expense reports and cash advance forms. This facilitates the correct recording of all authorized transactions.
|
The Branch Manager does not retain a copy of expense reports or cash advances for audit purposes.
|
|
The expense report is not checked for mathematical accuracy.
|
Safeguarding
|
Expense reimbursement checks are issued by the cash disbursements department.
|
A copy of the Cash Advance Approval form should be sent to the Branch Office Cashier so it can compare it with the one submitted by the agent.
|
Cash disbursements are made only after receipt of an approved expense report or Cash Advance Approval form.
|
Supporting documentation is not required for all expenditures.
|
Reconciliation
|
Internal Audit compares reimbursement checks with expense report totals less cash advances in the home office.
Reconciliation differences are investigated.
|
There is no reconciliation of Branch Office Cashier disbursements with Cash Advance Approval forms.
|