Petty cash floats at busy counters

Shortfalls at fashion and F&B counters are often blamed on theft before anyone checks the advance register. In several Hong Kong field reviews, the cash simply left the float as informal staff advances that never returned to the book.

Timing mismatches

Floats counted only at closing miss midday payments for courier runs, small supplier COD, or staff meal advances. If claims are paid from the float at noon and replenishment is requested the next morning, the overnight count looks wrong even when every dollar is accounted for later.

What we observe on site

We arrive before opening when possible, watch the handover, and ask who may remove cash without a voucher. A one-page advance register — name, amount, expected return date — clears more “shortages” than a new safe.

Tie-in to expense sampling

Petty-cash vouchers belong in the same sample as claim forms. Treating floats as a separate mystery delays the exception schedule. Include both in the document request before the visit.