Books 5
Books 5
The aim of this training module on "Internal/ Accounting Controls" is to help the finance and
accounts staff to develop an understanding of the following:
Concept of Internal/ Accounting Controls
Key elements of Internal Controls & its importance to bring in transparency & accuracy
in the financial systems
Some of the important accounting/internal controls to be implemented under NRHM
including cash & bank transactions, expenditure payments, advances, etc.
Table of Contents
Introduction
What are Internal/Accounting Controls?
Importance of Internal/ Accounting Controls
Key Internal/Accounting Controls
Cash Transactions
Bank Transactions
Expenditure Controls
Procurement
Inventory / Stock
Fixed Assets
Advances
Other Administrative Controls
Case Study
Self Assessment
Annexures
INTRODUCTION
What are Internal/ Accounting Controls?
“Internal Controls” refer to the methods and procedures adopted by an entity to assist in efficient
conduct of its operations and help in preventing fraud & errors
Those Internal controls which ensure validity & accuracy of the accounting records and financial
statements are also referred to as “Accounting Controls”
1 Safeguarding of Assets
• NRHM is a large & complex programme with multiple implementing units and
decentralized framework
• An effective Internal control system is essential to ensure proper fund utilization and
financial reporting under the programme at various levels
• This modules outlines key internal/ accounting controls relating to various financial/
operational transactions including:
Cash Transactions
Bank Transactions
Expenditure Control
Procurement
Inventory/ Stock
Fixed Asset
Advances
Others Administrative Controls
CASH TRANSACTIONS
Cash Transactions - Internal / Accounting Controls
Daily Cash Balance:
The limit of maximum cash balance to be retained at each unit should be decided as per
State Finance Rules.
Heavy Cash balances should not be maintained at any unit.
Cash should be withdrawn from bank account only as per the actual/ average
requirement by each unit based on the usage in the previous months.
Cash Payments:
All cash payments/disbursements should be entered in the cash book on the day of the
payment/ disbursement
All vouchers/ bills/ invoices should be scrolled (serial numbered) and entered in cash
book with appropriate referencing
Vouchers/ payment documents should be cancelled after reimbursement to prevent
duplication of payment
Only original supporting/ bills should be accepted for cash payments
Generally, cash payments should be discouraged, however payment by cash may be
made, subject to directives/ limits prescribed by the State
Cash payments should be made only after preparing the payment voucher and signature
must be taken on the voucher from the payee.
Revenue stamp should be put on all cash vouchers for payments above Rs 5000/-
Cash Transactions - Internal / Accounting Controls
Bank Payments:
All payments to the extent possible should be made by account payee cheques/ e-
transfer
Entry in the books of accounts should be made immediately upon transfer of funds /
issue of cheque
Any payment above the prescribed limit for Block, CHC/PHC, RKS, Sub center &
VHSNC should necessarily be made through crossed Account payee cheques only
Acknowledgement of receipt of cheques issued should be obtained from the payee
The limits for approval of expenses/ payments should be as per the delegation of power
at respective implementing units
The supporting documents (such as bills, vouchers, etc.) should be stamped as ‘PAID &
CANCELLED’ to avoid duplicate payment against the same document
While making payments through cheque, its number should be invariably noted in the
cash book/bank register for cross checking
Bank Transactions - Internal / Accounting Controls
Cheques:
All cheques should be signed by the two authorized signatories
Cheque books (new/ used /currently under use) and their counter foils should be kept in
the personal custody of one of the officers who is authorized signatory on the cheques
All Cash/Cheques/Demand Drafts etc. received should be deposited into bank as far as
possible on the same day itself, otherwise on the next working day
The issue of bearer cheques should be avoided as far as possible except for drawing
cash from Bank for day-to-day official transactions
Signatories should ensure that the amount of cheque is within their delegated power &
the vouchers have been authorized by the concerned accountant
Before signing the cheques, it should be ensured that funds in the concerned bank are
sufficient to honour the cheque
Staggering one payment into multiple cheques with smaller denominations mainly to
avoid delegation limit should not be allowed
As far as possible, the person responsible for preparing cheques should not be a cheque
signatory himself
Practice of signing of blank cheques in advance by any signatory should be completely
prohibited
Details of cheques in hand at the end of each month should also be maintained
Bank Transactions - Internal / Accounting Controls
Sanctions / Approvals:
Necessary approval from competent authority should be taken before hand for
expenditure made.
Expenditure made should be within approved budget limits.
All approvals/expenditure made should be under the jurisdiction of the sanctioning
authority in line with delegation of power as prescribed by the State.
PROCUREMENT
Procurement - Internal / Accounting Controls
Requisition and Purchase Order:
All procurements should be made as per the approved guidelines for procurement
issued by the State Government
All purchase requisitions should be reviewed by a senior official to ensure
reasonableness and appropriate delivery address
All purchase orders should be prepared on the basis of approved purchase requisitions
The purchases made or services received should be according to the approved plan
Purchase orders should have all the relevant information pertaining to purchase and the
information should be classified in an orderly manner
Before making any purchases, stock position must be assessed
Receipt of Item and Recording:
Goods receiving officers should certify that the quality and quantity of the goods
received on the receiving document (invoice/ challan) are as per the specifications
mentioned in the purchase order
Any discrepancy in the quality specifications as per the order document should be duly
authorized by the concerned person
It should be ensured that evidence to deliver goods and services at the agreed time and
place of delivery has been obtained.
Entry should be made in appropriate stock/store register and certification on this
account should be made on the bill/invoice by an authorized officer
Procurement - Internal / Accounting Controls
Approval/ Authorization:
Payments should be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Purchase
Order/ contract
Evidence of delivery of goods /services at the agreed time and place should be obtained
before making payment
Procurement against verbal order, if any, should be regularized through preparation of
written purchase order and it should be approved by competent authority
All procurements of goods/ articles should be made as per the State Government
Procurement Rules which includes the limit for invitation of tenders, limit for
quotations, formation of procurement committee, etc.
INVENTORY / STOCK
Inventory / Stock - Internal / Accounting Controls
Inventory / Stock:
Proper written policies and procedures to control and monitor inventories should be in
place
Store should be managed by an authorized store keeper and store records should be kept
under his custody only
Appropriate stock records should be maintained for receipt and issue of material
Stock record should be maintained as per the prescribed format to reflect stock-wise
quantities and locations by individual items
All stock movements should be supported by formal pre-numbered documentation and
be appropriately authorized
Stock records should be updated immediately on issue/ receipt of any item
Bin Card system should be adopted at least in respect of stores at District & above
Items / material should be arranged/ stacked properly in the store to facilitate follow of
FIFO (First In, First Out) method of issue of store items
Access to the store should be limited to authorized personnel only
Periodical stock verification should be conducted by the store keeper along with an
independent officer appointed by head of office, any discrepancies should be
appropriately recorded and reported to the higher authorities.
Obsolete, damaged, and slow-moving items should be identified on periodical basis
(monthly/ quarterly basis) and reported to higher authorities
FIXED ASSET
Fixed Asset - Internal / Accounting Controls
Approval/ Sanction:
The prescribed procurement guidelines (to be specified by each state) for purchase of
assets should be followed
Appropriate budgetary approval should be available for purchase of fixed assets
Physical Verification:
Annual physical verification of fixed assets should be conducted
Verification should involve comparing the physical balance with book balance,
identification of assets to be scrapped/written off & missing assets
Any major discrepancies in physical verification should be appropriately recorded in
the fixed asset register and reported to the higher authorities
Others:
No depreciation should be charged on the fixed assets
Procedures and policies for transfers and disposals of fixed assets should be followed
If any asset is disposed off/ discarded / demolished or destroyed, the net surplus /
deficiency (if material) should be disclosed separately
Permanent Identification Numbers should be mentioned on each item of fixed assets to
permit easy identification. The same should also be reflected in the FAR
Disposal of fixed assets should be made by the appropriate committee competent to do
so
ADVANCES
Advances - Internal / Accounting Controls
Advances:
All advances should be duly approved by the competent authority.
Before sanctioning further advance, it must be ensured that all earlier advances to the
same person/party and for the same purpose have been settled/adjusted
No advances should be made to a person/party if an advance is already pending for
settlement for the same purpose, unless appropriately approved and reasons
documented
Advance should be given only for activities which are admissible under the programme
All the advances should be settled within a maximum period of 90 days
Advance Tracking Register should be maintained and regularly updated
Age wise analysis of unsettled advances should be prepared and periodically be
reviewed by Programme Officers at each unit
Cases where huge un-adjusted advances have been lying for long should be brought to
the notice of higher authorities (BCMO, DAM, CMHO etc.)
Independent monitoring should also be carried out by the supervisory units in respect of
the advances lying at the lower units based on the periodical MIS obtained
OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE
CONTROLS
Others Administrative Controls
Document custody:
The all important documents, rules and regulations should be placed in a dedicated area
for easy retrieval
Suitable responsibility should be assigned for keeping the rules and regulations file up
to date
IT Back-up:
All critical data files should be periodically backed up and stored in a secure off site
location
A tested backup and recovery procedure to protect daily work files should be put in
place
There should be appropriate security on the access of all the sensitive/ important data
and information
Password Controls:
There should be a comprehensive internal policy on password protection
All the sensitive information should be protected by appropriate passwords
Passwords should be frequently changed to avoid unauthorized access
Others Administrative Controls
Delegation of Power:
Guidelines on ‘Delegation of Power’ issued by GoI/ State should be appropriately
adopted and implemented
Any internal delegation of authority by the supervisors should be appropriately
documented
TDS:
TDS should be deducted appropriately and deposited as per the guidelines
Quarterly / monthly TDS returns should be submitted in the prescribed format
Instructions on e-TDS as circulated by the District Health Society should be followed
CASE STUDY
Case Study
Some cases of lapses in implementation of internal controls are given below. Kindly
suggest appropriate internal control measures which should be adopted in these cases.
1) Following lapses were noticed during examination of the file for Vouchers / Supporting
Documents. List down the possible internal controls that should be implemented in
order to avoid similar lapses in future
2) While carrying out review of bank transactions/ maintaining bank records following
practices are observed by the accountant. What possible improvements should be
suggested for better internal controls ?
4) Accountant, who has been recently appointed at a health facility is facing following
difficulties w.r.t. Fixed Assets. Suggest him relevant internal control measures which he
should follow to avoid similar situations in future.
a) Accountant is preparing a list of all assets physically available but he is not able to
identify details of assets which have been received in kind from other units/ donors
b) Certain items of old assets are being disposed off, however
• Their costs are not traceable, though their quantity / date of purchase is available
in the FAR
• It is difficult to identify them in the FAR as there are similar items with same
date of purchase
SELF ASSESSMENT
Self Assessment
Please tick mark () the correct answers. A question can have more than one correct
answer.
1. Which of the following statements is not true with respect to Internal Controls?
a. Internal Controls helps in providing timely & accurate information
b. Internal Controls help safeguard assets
c. Internal Controls encourages Errors and Frauds
d. Internal Controls leads to better compliance with Organizational Guidelines/
Policies
4. Which out of the following are the Internal Controls that have to be implemented in
respect of Cheques?
a. Cheques can be signed by one of the two authorized signatories
b. Cheques received should be deposited into bank within a week
c. Acknowledgement of receipt of cheques should be obtained from the payee
d. All of the above
6. Which of the following controls have to be kept in mind while dealing with advances?
a. Advance can be given for any activity
b. All the advances should be settled within a maximum period of 120 days
c. No advances should be made to a person if an advance is already pending for
settlement
d. All of the above
Self Assessment
7. Which of the following points should be kept in mind while handling cash receipts?
a. Signature of person presenting the cheque and receiving cash should be attested by
one of the authorized signatories
b. All payments received should be first entered into the prescribed register and then
entries should be made in the cash book
c. Only a
d. Both a & b
8. Which of the following statements is true with respect to Bank Reconciliation Statement?
a. Bank reconciliation statement should be prepared atleast on a weekly basis
b. Any stale cheques appearing the BRS should not be reversed
c. Single Bank reconciliation statement should be prepared for all the bank accounts
d. Proper explanation by the person in-charge should be recorded in case of any
unreconciled entries
9. Which of the following statements is true with reference to implementing controls over
fixed assets?
a. Physical verification of fixed assets should be conducted atleast on annual basis
b. Depreciation should be charged on the fixed assets
c. A single register for assets of permanent & temporary nature should be maintained
d. Assets received in kind from the supervisory units should not be included
Self Assessment
10. Which of the following should be adhered to with reference to bank accounts?
a. Private bank accounts can be allowed to be maintained
b. Account should be maintained in post office in areas where bank availability is a
problem
c. None of the above
d. All of the above
11. Which of the following points should be kept in mind while implementing internal
controls over inventory/ stock?
a. Stock record should be maintained as per the prescribed format to reflect stock-wise
quantities and locations by individual items
b. Stock records should be updated immediately on issue/ receipt of any item
c. Store records should be kept under the custody of the dedicated store keeper only
d. All of the above
12. Which of the following statements is true with respect to administrative controls?
a. All the sensitive/ important data and information should be easily accessible to all
b. Passwords should not be frequently changed
c. A tested backup and recovery procedure to protect daily work files should be put in
place
d. All of the above
ANNEXURES
Annexure I - Format of Double Column Cash/ Bank Book
Receipts Payments
Dr. Cr.
Particulars V. L. Amount (Rs.) Particulars V. L. Amount (Rs.)
Date (including party name, S. F. Date (including party name, S. F.
activity head, etc.) No. No. Cash Bank activity head, etc.) No. No. Cash Bank
Payments *
Date S. Particulars Receipts Total Cleaning Minor Transport of Payment/ Other Daily
No (Including (A) Expenditure of Sub modifications emergencies Reward to Expense Balance
party name, (B) Centre and repair ASHA (C= A-B)
activity head,
etc.)
Monthly Total
Note: Cash book should be serially page numbered and authenticated by the supervisor
* Illustrative expense heads have been mentioned here, however, additional heads can be added as per requirement.
Annexure III - Format of Petty Cash Book for VHSNC
Payments*
Date S Particulars Receipts Total Village level Revolving Nutrition, Education Daily
No. (Including (A) Expenditure public health fund for & Other Balance
party name, (B) activity households Sanitation Expenses (A-B)
activity (cleanliness
head, etc.) drive etc )
Monthly Total
Note: Cash book should be serially page numbered and authenticated by the supervisor
* Illustrative expense heads have been mentioned here, however, additional heads can be added as per requirement.
Annexure IV - Format of Bank Register
Receipts Payments
S. Particulars S.
Particulars Amount Amount
Date N Date (Details of the activity for which N
(Details of the source) (Rs.) (Rs.)
o. amount is spent) o.
Interest Received
Balance (A-B)
Add:
(i) Cheques issued but not encashed
(ii) Credit entries made in the bank pass book but not shown in the
cash book
(iii) Interest credit in Bank
Total
Less:
(i) Amount sent to Bank but not credited in the Saving Bank Account of the unit
(ii) Bank charges debited in the bank account but not accounted for in the cash book
Total
Balance as per Pass Book
Prepared by :
Examined by :
Date : ___________
THANK YOU
Course Module on Accounting/ Internal Controls
Time
Session learning Teaching Teaching Required
Session Structure
objectives Method Used Material used
Objective of Session: Learning Objective Slides 2-3 5 mins
of the module
The objective of the
module is to help the
trainees to understand Key Teaching Slides 4-6 10 mins
the importance and need Point 1: What are
of internal controls Internal/ Accounting
under NRHM. Controls and Instructional
It explains the important Importance of and
accounting/ internal Internal/ Accounting Participative
controls to be controls
implemented under
NRHM in respect of Key Teaching Slides 7-35 60 mins
various transactions Point 2: Key
including cash, bank, Accounting Controls
fixed assets, advances on various aspects
etc.
Case study Group Slides 36-38 20 mins
Materials Required : discussion /
1. Slides individual
2. Case studies attempts by
3. Self-Assessment participants
Solution 1:
1. All vouchers should be scrolled serially numbered and entered in cash / bank book or register
with appropriate referencing
2. All supporting documents in originals should be defaced / stamped as ‘PAID & CANCELLED’
with details of cheque number & date
3. Cash book should be closed daily and physical cash balance should be cross-verification on daily
basis with closing balance in the cash book
4. All vouchers should be properly filed on daily / weekly basis
Solution 2:
1. All cash/cheques/Demand Drafts etc. received should be deposited into bank as far as possible on
the same day itself, otherwise on the next working day positively
2. Date of actual deposit/counter-foil of deposit should be mentioned/ attached with the bank book
3. Cheque number should invariably be noted in the cash book/bank register for easy cross-checking
4. Acknowledgement of receipt of cheques issued should always be obtained from the payee
Solution 3:
1. Advance Tracking Register should be maintained
2. While sanctioning fresh advance, it should be ensured that no previous advance is pending for
settlement against the same party/ employee
3. Advance should be given for activities admissible under the programme only, no advances on
personal account should be given
4. All the advances should be settled within a maximum period of 90 days
5. Ageing of advances should be periodically carried out to identify any old advances
6. All advances from external parties should be confirmed on quarterly/ yearly basis
Solution 4:
1. All assets received in kind should also be recorded in FAR with all appropriate details
2. Full particulars of purchase / receipt of fixed assets including the identification no., date of
purchase, its current location / user, value of purchase, etc. to be included
3. Permanent identification no. should be marked on each item of fixed asset and same should be
mentioned in the FAR
Accounting Controls
Solution: Self-Assessment
1. c
2. d
3. a
4. c
5. b
6. c
7. d
8. d
9. a
10. b
11. d
12. c