What is Petty Cash Book?
A petty cash book is a manual or digital record of small, routine cash transactions in a business. It tracks payments made for low-value expenses like office supplies, courier charges, or petty meals.
Petty Cash Example:
- Purchasing pens, paper clips, and staplers for the office.
- Paying for courier charges for urgent document delivery.
- Reimbursing employees for small, out-of-pocket expenses.
Petty Cash Book Format
- Date of transaction
- Description of expense
- Payment amount
- Running balance (beginning balance + payments - receipts)
Types of Petty Cash Book
1. Imprest System: A fixed amount is periodically replenished to maintain a constant balance. This simplifies reconciliation and reduces the risk of fraud.
2. Ordinary System: The petty cash fund is replenished only when it's depleted. This requires more frequent monitoring and accounting work.
Benefits of Petty Cash Book:
- Simplifies handling small expenses.
- Reduces reliance on corporate credit cards or checks.
- Improves expense tracking and accountability.