Free Accounting Procedure Template
Accounting Procedure
Prepared By: [YOUR NAME]
Title: [YOUR POSITION]
I. Introduction
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Purpose of the Document: This Accounting Policy and Procedure document outlines the guidelines and standards for maintaining accurate financial records, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and promoting transparency and accountability in financial reporting within [Your Company Name].
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Scope of Application: This policy applies to all employees involved in financial transactions and reporting within the organization.
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Authority and Responsibility: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) holds ultimate responsibility for overseeing adherence to this policy, while department heads are responsible for ensuring compliance within their respective areas.
II. Accounting Principles
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Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP): All financial transactions and reporting shall adhere to GAAP to ensure consistency and comparability.
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International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS): Where applicable, IFRS shall be followed to align with global accounting standards.
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Company-Specific Accounting Policies: In addition to GAAP and IFRS, [Your Company Name] may establish specific accounting policies tailored to its operations and industry.
III. Financial Reporting
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Frequency of Reporting: Financial reports shall be generated on a monthly basis, with quarterly and annual reports for external stakeholders.
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Reporting Deadlines: Monthly financial reports are due within five business days following the end of the month.
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Required Financial Statements: Standard financial statements including the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement shall be prepared for each reporting period.
IV. Chart of Accounts
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Structure and Organization: The Chart of Accounts shall be organized in a hierarchical structure, categorizing accounts by type, function, and department.
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Approval Process for New Accounts: Requests for new accounts shall be submitted to the Finance Department for review and approval by the CFO or designated authority.
V. Recording Transactions
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Documentation Requirements: All financial transactions must be supported by appropriate documentation such as invoices, receipts, and purchase orders.
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Recording Methods: Transactions shall be recorded on an accrual basis to accurately reflect the financial position of the company.
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Segregation of Duties: The recording, authorization, and custody of assets shall be segregated to prevent fraud and error.
VI. Accounts Payable
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Invoice Processing: Invoices shall be reviewed, approved, and processed for payment in a timely manner to avoid late fees and maintain good vendor relationships.
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Approval Workflow: Purchase orders and invoices shall follow a predetermined approval workflow based on the amount and nature of the transaction.
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Payment Procedures: Payments shall be issued via electronic transfer or check, with proper documentation maintained for audit purposes.
VII. Accounts Receivable
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Invoicing Process: Invoices shall be issued promptly upon completion of goods or services rendered, with clear terms and payment instructions.
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Credit Policy: A credit policy shall be established to assess the creditworthiness of customers and mitigate the risk of bad debts.
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Collection Procedures: Delinquent accounts shall be followed up regularly through dunning letters, phone calls, and other collection efforts.
VIII. Petty Cash Management
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Petty Cash Custodian Appointment: A designated employee shall be appointed as the petty cash custodian responsible for managing and disbursing petty cash funds.
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Replenishment Process: Petty cash funds shall be replenished on a regular basis upon submission of receipts and reconciliation of expenditures.
IX. Bank Reconciliation
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Frequency of Reconciliation: Bank accounts shall be reconciled monthly to ensure accuracy and identify any discrepancies.
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Reconciliation Process: Bank statements shall be compared to the general ledger balances, with variances investigated and resolved promptly.
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Resolution of Discrepancies: Any discrepancies identified during the reconciliation process shall be investigated and corrected in a timely manner, with appropriate adjustments made to the accounting records.
X. Policy Review and Revision
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Frequency of Review: This policy shall be reviewed annually and revised as necessary to reflect changes in regulations, industry standards, and organizational needs.
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Process for Policy Amendments: Proposed amendments to this policy shall be submitted to the CFO for review and approval, with input from relevant stakeholders as needed.
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Approval of Policy Changes: Approved policy changes shall be communicated to all affected employees and documented for future reference.