Cash Receipts and Accounts Receivable
Policy
Date approved
11 May 2022
Policy owner
Chief Financial Officer
Cohesion Link
Next review date
30 December 2024
Policy overview
1.
The Cash Receipts and Accounts Receivable Policy explains the requirements for cash
received, raising invoices for goods and services provided by Te Tari Taiwhenua, the
Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and its debt collection settings, to ensure:
•
Prompt receipting and banking of monies received,
•
Effective control of accounts receivable,
•
Prompt invoicing and collection of amounts owed to DIA, and
•
Correct recording and treatment of accounts receivable transactions in the
financial records.
Application
2.
This policy applies to:
• All kaimahi collecting money for DIA; and
• Kaimahi involved in DIA’s accounts receivable functions.
3.
The policy principles for cash receipts also applies to non-DIA activities by kaimahi,
such as fundraising or where money is collected for purchasing items for celebrations
or farewells.
Delegated authorities
4.
The delegated authorities that apply are outlined in the
Delegations Policy.
Detailed policy
Cash receipts
5.
The following are minimum standards DIA requires to ensure all cash is held and
managed securely, to reduce the risk to both our kaimahi and the public:
• Two kaimahi must be present when opening mail which may contain cash.
• All cash received is to be recorded immediately, which a second kaimahi verifies.
• A receipt must be issued immediately for all cash received over the counter.
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• All cash must be banked within 1 week of receipt (including posting all required
transaction details in the Financial System).
• Any cash received must be held securely until banked, preferably in a safe.
• Access to the safe (or other secure location) is limited to a small number of
kaimahi.
Raising invoices, credits and refunds
6.
Invoices must be raised within a week of goods or services being supplied to the
customer.
7.
Credits or refunds must be raised when there is a requirement to cancel invoices in
whole or in part.
Debt collection
8.
DIA’s payment terms require payment by the 20th day of the month following the date
of the invoice. However, business units can implement more immediate payment
terms if necessary.
9.
The debt collection action adopted by the Accounts Receivable team is based on the
length of time an invoice has been outstanding, measured in months since issue.
10. Debts over 60 days due may result in the suspension of credit facilities. The Accounts
Receivable Team Leader must consult with the business unit before deciding on
suspension of credit facilities.
11. Debts over 90 days due may be lodged with a debt collection agency.
12. Budget holders are responsible for reviewing the aged debtors report on a regular
basis, assisting with collection efforts and advising the accounts receivable team of any
reason not to send reminder notices or lodge the debt with a collection agency.
Bad debt write-off
13. Where collection efforts have not been successful, the write-off of debt can be
requested by the budget holder. Applications for write-off must be completed, setting
out the details of the invoices and the circumstances surrounding the request.
14. Write-off of bad debts must be approved in line with th
e Delegations Policy.
Receipt of payment from customers
Payment by direct credit
15. Customers should be directed to use Direct Credit (or bank transfer) to DIA’s bank
account as the preferred method of payment.
16. Customers are required to provide the customer number, invoice number or other
identification detail on the bank transaction to enable the efficient matching of the
receipt of payment against the customer account.
Payment by direct debit
17. The Business Unit is consulted about the set-up of this payment method and is
responsible for arranging direct debit authorities from customer.
UNCLASSIFIED
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18. The Accounts Receivable team is responsible for direct debit processing. This
processing must be 2 to 5 working days after the issue of invoice or statement to
provide sufficient notice to the customer.
Definitions
19. The following definitions apply when interpreting this policy:
•
Financial System – Rehutai (DIA’s Financial System)
•
Receipts – Payments from customers for money owing to DIA, including by cash,
EFTPOS, debit/credit card and bank deposit.
Related policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, legislation, and/or
websites
20. The following document is relevant to this policy:
•
Delegations Policy
UNCLASSIFIED
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