Theft Control
Guidelines
As
designated by the Park Board, the Frankfort Square Park District issues checks
for payroll and accounts payable. All prepared checks are required to be signed
by two (2) authorized signatories, Executive Director, Superintendent of
Recreation, Superintendent of Parks, President, Vice President, or Treasurer.
A
list of the accounts payable is prepared by the Business Manager from invoices
received, reviewed, and matched to the purchase order and line item for
remittance. Purchase order amounts of $250 or less are approved by Department
Heads and submitted to the Business Manager. Purchase order requisitions
greater than $250 must have prior approval from the Executive Director. All
approved invoices are prepared for check processing by the Business Manager,
and computer checks are generated, along with a list that is presented to the
Park Board of Commissioners, for payment approval at the monthly Board Meeting.
If a payment is required before the next Board Meeting; i.e. utility payments,
bank or credit card payments, Board approved project costs, and other recurring
bills, the Executive Director will approve the issuance of these checks with
the required two (2) signatures.
When
preparing invoices for check printing, the designated Accounts Payable Clerk
enters invoices into the payroll software system by payee, invoice number, and
line item account. The system will provide an error message if the invoice
number is duplicated. The designated
Accounts Payable Clerk prints the check register and verifies that check
information is correct. All pre-numbered checks are printed and attached to the
corresponding invoice and supporting documents. Checks are reviewed and signed
by two (2) signatories and given to the Office Manager. The office staff then
prepares the checks for mailing and all check stubs and documentation are
retained in accounts payable files. Any unused or incorrect checks are defaced
by marking "VOID" on the check and then retained with the accounts
payable files. On the infrequent occasion when a check must be made payable to
“cash”, it must be completed per procedure documented in Attachment A.
All
employees' hours are reported to the designated Payroll Clerk who prepares the
bi-weekly payroll checks. All Department Managers approve their staffs' hours
based on individual hours worked for the payroll period. The
designated Payroll Clerk prints the payroll report list by employee, hours
worked by department and rate, and total pay. The report information is entered
into the payroll software system by employee. The designated Payroll Clerk
prints the payroll journal and verifies that check information is correct. All
pre-numbered checks are printed and attached to the supporting documents and
payroll reports. Checks are reviewed and signed by two (2) signatories and
returned to the Office Manager. Payroll checks are distributed in person to
staff or by mail. If office staff does not recognize an
employee that is picking up his/her check in person, that individual will be
required to provide proof of identity in order to receive his/her payroll
check.
Positive Pay
Fraud prevention tools have been implemented through the
District’s financial institution, Old Plank Trail Community Bank. All communication between the bank and the
Park District is encrypted, and the main account that is used for payroll and
accounts payable is designated Positive Pay.
The designated Bookkeeping Staff Member uploads a list of all checks
that include accounts payable and payroll.
The bank confirms checks presented to the list, and if any there are any
questionable items presented for payment, designated Park District staff must
individually approve or deny payment.
ACH transactions are also confirmed as presented. The Executive Director provided a list of
approved entities and maximum dollar amounts for ACH transactions to the bank,
and similar to accounts payable and payroll checks, any items presented that do
not meet the preauthorized guidelines for payee and amount are marked for
review by designated Park District staff and either approved or denied for
payment.
Revenue Controls:
The
procedures outlined for revenue control practices are important to protect the
employee and to protect the interest of the Frankfort Square Park District, and
should be adhered to at all times. Compliance of all revenue handling
procedures is the responsibility of all District staff that handle revenue such
as Facility Managers, Managers on Duty, Supervisors, Office Staff, Cashiers,
and any other individuals responsible for revenue handling.
Cash
Drawer Handling
1.
The
Office Manager and Office Staff have access to the office drop safe combination
and will access the safe when preparing the registers for morning opening and
closing procedures and daily revenue activity balancing.
2.
It
is the responsibility of the Office Staff to verify all starting cash in the
drawers prior to opening, and report any discrepancies to the Office Manager.
At no time will any cash drawer remain open after completing a transaction.
3.
When
the Office Staff leave the area for any reason or any length of time, they are
to secure the cash drawers.
4.
Receipts
shall be completed for all transactions. Receipts may be printed or sent via
email to the customer. In the case of a power outage or system failure, a
receipt book is used to record transactions. Customers are given handwritten
receipts, and copies are retained along with payment to record the transactions
once the system is operable. If the system is not accessible by close of
business, receipts and payments are stored in the office safe for next day
processing.
5.
Facility
Supervisors are responsible for balancing cash from transactions made at a Park
District facility and securing it in a drop safe. The Superintendent of
Recreation, Office Manager, or Office Staff transport the cash envelope to the
Park office, and the office employee verifies the cash records, enters the
receipt in the RecTrac system, and adds the cash to the cash drawer to be
included with the day's deposit.
6.
Under
no circumstances will it be acceptable to cash a check for anyone, including
District employees.
7.
All
Office Staff have their own login and password for the RecTrac system, and it is
their responsibility to logoff the system when completing transactions.
8.
At
no time should there be cash or checks residing on a desk or counter after a
transaction has been completed.
9.
All
cash and checks are required to be deposited within 24 hours, or in case of a
weekend or holiday, the next regular business day.
10. No cash or cash refunds shall be given back if the form of payment
is a check, credit, or debit.
11. In order to minimize risk, credit card information is not stored on
file or in the RecTrac system. Only the data elements on the payment card are
needed at the time the transaction is processed. If payment card data is on
registration documents, the card information is redacted once the registration
is completed. Documents with legible payment card data are destroyed by machine
shredding once transactions are completed.
Exception – dance program payment plan.
All participants in the payment plan complete and sign agreements which
are kept in the safe. The Office Manager
processes the charges for each payment date and immediately returns the
information to the safe until the next payment is due.
12. In addition to the cash drawers, an additional bank is retained in
the office safe and is available to make change when needed. The Office Staff
will count and exchange the currency and advise the Office Manager for guidance
to rectify the situation.
Daily
Cash Activity Balancing
1.
At
the end of shift, the Closer, an assigned office employee, will close and lock
the counter shade before emptying the cash drawers to count the cash and
checks. Refer to Attachment “B”.
2.
The
Closer prints the RecTrac cash journal, verifies the amounts, and signs the
journal report. The starting cash balances are placed in the cash drawer bags
and secured in the office safe. The remaining cash and checks are bundled as a
deposit, placed in the cash journal bag with the closing reports, and secured
in the office safe.
3.
On
the following business day, the Opener, an assigned office employee, will
prepare the office setup for daily business needs. Refer to Attachment “C”. The Opener
recounts all cash and checks from the prior day's transactions, and verifies
the amounts to the cash journal report. Refer to Attachment “D”. This
procedure is done away from the office and public in a locked room with key pad
access across from the Business Manager’s office, Room #314.
4.
The
Opener will also run the appropriate reports from the RecTrac system for
balancing purposes. It is the Opener's responsibility to run all cash/credit
reports, review and sign the journal report, and prepare the bank deposit.
5.
If
there is an overage or shortage, an explanation must be detailed and signed by
the Opener. Regardless of the amount, the Opener advises the Office Manager of
the discrepancy.
Deposit Controls:
Once the Opener reviews
the cash journal report, the bank deposit is prepared. Bank deposit books are
secured in the office safe, and duplicate deposits slips are retained for
monthly cash audit reviews completed by the Office Manager.
A locked money bag is used
to transport the deposit to the bank. In addition, the money bag is placed
inside an unmarked satchel carried by the office employee and kept out of view
of persons outside the District vehicle.
The bank stop is the
primary responsibility of the office employee when transporting deposits. The
deposit receipt is brought back to the office, and the Office Manager audits
the cash journal report and submits a copy of the report and deposit receipt to
the designated Bookkeeping Staff Member.
On a monthly basis, the
designated Bookkeeping Staff Member reconciles the cash deposits against the
bank statement. All credit card transactions are also audited by the Office Manager,
and RecTrac credit summary reports are submitted to the designated Bookkeeping
Staff Member. Month-to-date reports are printed from the District's payment
card service provider and reconciled against RecTrac reports and bank
statements. Each month, the Office
Manager and designated Bookkeeping
Staff Member confirm accounts to be in balance and prepare month-end reports
for District Management and Park Board.
Refunds:
A
refund transaction is entered in the RecTrac system and a refund request form
is printed by an office employee. The form includes the following information.
Purchaser's name, mailing address, and
telephone number
Original transaction date
Description of the goods or services that
are being refunded
Original selling price
Reason for the refund
The
office employee signs and dates the form and submits it to the Director/Office Manager who
approves the refund for check processing usually within 7-10 business days.
Refer to Attachment “E”.
Goods
or services purchased by check are refundable once the original check has
successfully cleared the bank.
When
processing a refund for a credit card transaction, if the return is done the
same business day as the original purchase, the return can be refunded to the
purchaser's credit card. If the return is done at a later date, a refund will
be issued in check form since credit card information is not stored.
Physical Theft Controls:
There are cameras located
inside and outside the Park Administration building and can be monitored for
real time activity or recorded film as needed. There is a two-way mirror
mounted on the cabinet wall in the office to monitor the front of the office
and counter. The office door is to remain closed at all times. Keypad code
access is used by staff to enter the office. The office door code is changed
annually, in the winter. The method for changing the office door keypad code is
secured in a secure location.
Office desk drawers and
file cabinets are locked by the Closer after the day's shift. On the next day
of business, the Opener unlocks all desks and file cabinets in preparation of
opening for business. Cash registers have moveable monitor screens allowing
customers to view their transactions and payment input by the Cashier.
Community
groups are allowed access to meeting rooms at the Park Administration building
and various Park facilities. The office retains a sign-in and sign-out key log
for group representatives needing access to a building. A building usage form
is completed by a primary and secondary representative of the community group
and meeting dates, times, and facilities are reserved in the RecTrac system by
an office employee. Refer to Attachment
“F”.
Building
keys are labeled by location and numbered accordingly. A key may be picked up
the day prior to the
reserved meeting after filling out the key
log. Keys are to be returned to the Park Administration building either in
person during business hours or by drop box located outside the front door,
within 24 hours of the reservation.
An office
employee will check the key back in by checking the log and return the key to the
office drawer. Refer to Attachment
“G”. If a key is not returned in time, an office employee will contact the
primary representative.
Most
community group representatives are issued fobs, which are active and trackable
at the Community Center door.
The
Executive Director’s signature stamp is stored in his office safe. The
Assistant to the Executive Director is authorized to use the stamp only in
cases when he is away from the office due to geographical constraints and is
unable to return to sign documents that must be executed in an expeditious
manner.
The Park
District utilizes safes in various facilities to secure cash drawer and cash
journal bags, cash deposit slips, blank check binders, deeds, vehicle titles,
etc. All safes are kept in locations out
of public view, and when possible, are bolted to provide security.
District
computer hard drives are destroyed on premises before disposal.
Human Element Controls:
Criminal
background checks are required for all persons as a condition of employment with
the Frankfort Square Park District. Department Supervisors submit to the
Director the application and necessary forms required as a condition of
employment.
The Director submits the
background, and drug and alcohol checks to the appropriate agency for review
prior to employment. Results are
disseminated to the appropriate Department Head. Driving records are required for persons who
will be driving vehicles/equipment within the District.
Persons working with
agency funds are required to have background and drug and alcohol checks. These persons
include, but are not limited to:
Executive Director, Director, Recreation Supervisors, Office Manager,
Bookkeeping Staff Members, Office Staff, and any other person handling agency
funds.
The Assistant to the
Executive Director is responsible for retrieving, opening, and distributing
agency mail. Mail is opened daily in the front office and placed in the
appropriate employee mailboxes, also located in the front office.
Refer to Attachment “H”.
During business hours,
the Office Manager will periodically audit the front office cash registers by
pulling the RecTrac daily cash journal, listing cash receipt information, and
reconciling cash to receipts.
Annually, in the month of
June, the District has employees update their emergency contact information for
the District personnel files
Key Controls:
Purpose
and Scope
The Frankfort Square Park District shall maintain locking systems for the protection of patrons, participants, visitors, staff, facilities, and property while attempting to responsibly balance, at times, the opposing concepts of security and convenience. This policy establishes a framework by which keys and/or fobs will be issued, authorized for use, monitored, and maintained.
Authorized use of keys and/or fobs shall be defined as the
use of assigned keys and/or fobs during the performance of duties in the course
of an employee’s assigned work shift. The use of keys and/or fobs to gain
access to Park District facilities outside of an assigned shift, without the
direct consent of the Executive Director or designee, may result in
disciplinary measures up to and including discharge.
The Frankfort Square Park District may use and include all
varieties of locking devices including exterior gate and door locks, interior
area locks and keys, combination devices, and all other locking devices
including padlocks and electronic access devices. All of the above locking
system components are property of the Frankfort Square Park District.
Administration of the Key System
The Frankfort Square Park District Executive Director is
authorized to establish and administer regulations and procedures in order to
provide physical security of all Frankfort Square Park District facilities and
its occupants, and to provide for administration and control of keys. The
administration of key control shall be delegated to the Executive Director or
designee.
The Assistant to the Executive
Director shall be responsible for the maintenance of key controls including the
issuing of keys and key control record keeping. No individual may use personal
locking devices, nor may locks be changed or re-keyed without approval of the
Executive Director. Unauthorized locking devices will be removed. Any damage or
repair necessitated by the removal of unauthorized locks will be the
responsibility of the department or individual found in violation of this
policy.
Keys to Frankfort Square Park
District-owned cabinets, lockers, desks, drawers, etc. are not covered under
this policy. Keys shall be furnished upon request when available; but the
issuance, control, and recovery shall be the responsibility of the department
head/supervisor.
Key Authorization and Eligibility
All requests for keys should be
carefully considered so that the protection and security of District facilities
and property are maintained. District Administration, Department Heads, or
Supervisors shall be the only personnel authorized to request keys within their
respective departments for their staff and/or volunteers. These individuals are
required to complete the Employee Key/Key
Fob Request Form, signed, and returned to the Assistant to the Executive
Director. Refer to Attachment
“I”. Recipients of District keys will complete and sign the lower portion
of the Employee Key/Key Fob Request Form prior to key issuance from the Assistant to the
Executive Director. The recipients will be responsible for key safekeeping and
at no time should leave keys unattended (i.e., hanging in a door lock, lying on
a desk, etc.).
Fob Authorization and Eligibility
All requests for fobs should be
carefully considered so that the protection and security of District facilities
and property are maintained. District administration, Department Heads, or
Supervisors shall be the only personnel authorized to request fobs within their
respective departments for their staff and/or volunteers. These individuals are
required to complete the Employee Key/Key
Fob Request Form, signed, and returned to Office Clerical
personnel. Refer to Attachment
“I”. Recipients of District fobs will complete and sign the lower portion
of the Employee Key/Key Fob Request Form prior
to key issuance from Office Clerical personnel. The recipients will be
responsible for fob safekeeping and at no time should leave fobs unattended
(i.e., lying on a desk, counter, etc.).
Return of Keys and Fobs
All keys shall be returned to the
Assistant to the Executive Director upon termination of employment, transfer to
another department, or upon the request of the department head or Executive
Director.
All fobs shall be returned to the
Office Clerical personnel upon termination of employment, transfer to another
department, or upon the request of the department head or Executive Director.
Keys and fobs shall not be exchanged
between individuals.
Final paychecks may be held by the
Office Manager until documentation is presented that keys or fobs have been
returned.
Part-time, seasonal employees, and
volunteers who are issued keys or fobs must follow all District key policies.
Failure of employees to return keys
or fobs will be referred to the Executive Director.
Lost/Damaged Keys and Fobs
The loss or suspected loss or damage of any keys is to be
reported to the Assistant to the Executive Director, and loss or damage of any
fobs is to be reported to the designated Office Staff Member personnel. The
Assistant to the Executive Director shall investigate each incident of lost
keys and in
the case of lost keys, may file a
formal request to the Executive Director for authorization of lock changes due
to a breach of security. The designated
Office Staff Member shall investigate each incident of lost fobs, and in the
case of lost fobs, may file a formal request to the Executive Director for
authorization to deactivate the fob due to a breach of security.
Key/Fob Authorization for Outside Groups
The Park District provides access to facilities used by
community groups such as Wildcats Football, FSBL, the Boy Scouts, and HOA
groups. These requests are carefully
considered so that the protection and security of District facilities and
property are maintained. Individuals
from these groups are required to complete the Key/Key Fob Request Form, signed, and returned to the designated
Office Staff Member. Refer to Attachment “J”.
Recipients of District fobs will complete and sign the lower portion of the Key/Key Fob Request Form prior to key
issuance from the designated Office Staff Member. The recipients will be
responsible for fob safekeeping and at no time should leave fobs unattended
(i.e., lying on a desk, counter, etc.).
Inventory
Controls:
The
Frankfort Square Park District maintains various inventory methods in order to
balance the District’s needs with its fiscal responsibility. Tracking Park District inventory aids in
purchasing, budget forecasting, and preventing theft both internally and
externally.
Department
Heads/Supervisors are responsible for the physical inventory requirements and
replenishment of supplies for their respective programs and departments.
Administrative
inventories are conducted often and at irregular intervals with additional spot
checks due to the amount of consumable items used on a daily/weekly basis, i.e.
paper, pens/pencils, printer ink toners, etc. The Office Manager and Office
Staff are responsible for the opening and closing of the office and making sure
that these inventories are stocked and available for daily operations.
AMP/AssetMaxx
The
Frankfort Square Park District established a detailed record of its capital
assets and depreciation through AMP/AssetMaxx, a
web-based fixed asset program. The
designated Bookkeeping Staff Members maintain the District’s asset information,
utilizing the AMP/AssetMaxx software program to:
1. Determine
values, identify, and track all District properties and equipment for insurance
purposes
2. Ensure
GASB 34 compliance
IT
Inventory
The
District’s IT contractor manages a spreadsheet system wherein all electronic
items, computers, monitors, printers, cameras, etc. are identified by
make/model/serial number/date of purchase/user and/or location.
Golf
Course RecTrac POS System
The RecTrac POS system
employed by District’s Square Links Golf Course, tracks greens fees, range fees,
club and cart rentals, sales of golf balls and tees, beverage and food
sales. The RecTrac POS system aids in
determining trends in items that are sold, tracks items in stock, and what
needs to be reordered to ensure uninterrupted operation. The fully integrated RecTrac POS system also
provides reports for accounts payable/receivable, and purchasing through
tracking cash register sales.
Surplus Property Disposal
The Frankfort Square Park District Property Disposal Policy provides
information and guidelines for the disposal of all District property. Refer to Attachment “K”. The policy
provides information and guidelines for the disposal of all Frankfort Square
Park District property. The policy
provides its staff and employees with a clear understanding the District has
used the property to its best advantage and has realized the maximum amount of
value possible. All departments are
informed of the appropriate method for declaring and disposing of surplus,
salvage, scrap, and worthless equipment and materials that have been purchased
or donated to the Park District.
The Frankfort Square Park
District Executive Director is authorized to approve all requests for disposal
of property/equipment, and in the event the item(s) exceed $1,000 the information is presented to the Board of
Commissioners.
Purchase Controls:
The
purpose of the FSPD Purchasing Authority Policy is to outline the levels of purchasing
authority and to establish consistent procedures for all District purchases.
Purchases are defined as either single or multiple items purchased
simultaneously from a single vendor.
Department
Heads and/or supervisors may authorize and execute purchases up to $250. Any purchase over
$250 must be approved by the Executive Director. Purchases of $10,000 or more
must be communicated to the Board of Commissioners, and any purchases of $20,000 or more must have Board approval.
Summary
of Signatory Approvals
$0.00
- $250, Department Head/Supervisor
$250
- $9,999, Department Head/Supervisor and Executive Director
$10,000
- $24,999, Department Head/Supervisor, Executive Director and communication to
Board for notification
$25,000
and over - Department Head/Supervisor, Executive Director, and documentation of
Board approval
A
minimum of three quotes must be obtained for any capital purchase over $25,000,
not included in qualified purchasing opportunity. Written quotes should be secured,
however if phone or website/internet quotes are obtained, proper documentation
must be submitted with the purchase requisition including vendor name, date,
item descriptions, and prices. Competitive bidding must be instituted for any
purchase over $25,000, and at the Executive Director's discretion, may be
required for certain purchases less than $25,000. Certain specialized items of
a service or technical nature may not require competitive bidding, however
quotes will be requested from as many vendors as reasonably possible. The products and services should be included
when obtaining price quotes.
In
general, all items purchased should have been included in the Board approved
budget for the fiscal year. The Executive Director is authorized to approve up
to a $25,000 unbudgeted
purchase, and this expenditure should be reported to the Board in the next
Executive Director's report.
Department
Heads and approved Supervisors with authorized District credit cards make
District purchases using their assigned card(s). A Credit Card Agreement Form, outlining the terms and conditions for
card usage, must be signed by the Department Heads and/or Supervisors, and
authorized by the Executive Director when a credit card is issued.
Refer
to Attachment "L".
Internal
Control Practices: Purchasing
Overall
accountability is maintained when purchases are authorized, reviewed, and approved based on signed agreements,
contract terms, and purchase orders.
Best
practices:
Comply with ethical buying practices and policy
Review and update signature authorizations periodically
Verify receipt of goods and services against contract/purchase
order and invoice information
Reconcile reports for accuracy of recorded transactions
Monitor to ensure that invoices are paid in a timely manner
Potential
consequences for unaccountability:
Unauthorized, unnecessary, or fraudulent purchases
Unauthorized work performed by suppliers
Vendor late fees assessed due to late payments
Improper charges to incorrect account/funds resulting in a misappropriation
of funds
Security of Assets
Once purchased goods are received, the materials are
accounted for by counting the inventory and comparing the results with amounts
shown on control records. The inventory is either distributed or secured in a
safe location.
Best practices:
Secure goods in a safe,
restricted area
Restrict inventory
access to appropriate staff
Lock goods and
materials, and provide key or combination to as few people as possible
Keep inventory records
and periodically calculate beginning and ending inventory amounts
Potential consequences for unsecured assets:
Theft of goods
Inventory shortages
Additional costs
incurred for replacement of goods
Review and Reconciliation
The designated Bookkeeping Staff Member reviews a supplier's
invoice, packing slips, and purchase orders on a timely basis. Accuracy of the
information is checked for prior payment, correct quantity ordered, and price
charged. Monthly ledger reconciliation enables the designated Bookkeeping Staff
Member to find improper charges and validate appropriate financial
transactions.
Best practices:
Review supplier invoices
for accuracy by comparing charges to purchase orders.
When an invoice is received,
verify that the goods and services purchased have been received by requesting a
Purchase Receipt Form from the
Department Head and/or Supervisor. Any receipts or documentation should be
attached to the form and submitted to the designated Bookkeeping Staff Member.
Refer to Attachment "M".
Perform monthly
reconciliations of operating ledgers to ensure accuracy and timeliness of
expenses.
Potential consequences if review/reconciliation not
performed:
Improper charges to
department budgets
Disallowances resulting
from costs charged to incorrect accounts/funds
Payments made for items
or services not provided