All University of Washington units that handle cash must have both an awareness of and show a commitment to strong internal controls for cash receipts. Managers in University units are responsible for establishing and maintaining the proper environment of internal controls. This environment is established by the unit's organization with written procedures. It is maintained by awareness through regular communications between management and staff and through management's commitment by example and review.
Internal controls are necessary to prevent mishandling of funds and to safeguard against loss.
Strong internal controls also protect employees from inappropriate charges of mishandling funds by defining responsibilities in the cash handling process. A direct depositor is a University unit that has been authorized by the Controller's Office to deposit directly to a University bank account rather than sending receipts to Student Fiscal Services. All University units collecting cash must address the following cash receipt controls by developing and implementing procedures in support of these controls. Campus units with occasional cash receipts must, whenever possible, follow the same minimum operating procedures that apply to units handling cash on a regular basis. Give a copy of the receipt to the customer.