Operation of the budget

Lailanie R. Mangalindan

The accounting system must be closely related to the budget if the latter is to be well administered. Requisition forms should contain the information needed for proper endorsement and intelligent purchasing. One copy of each form used should be kept available for reference and for the building of permanent records.

The procedures should be standardized and the channels for forms and procedures well-established so that transactions are routine in character. The complexity of both forms and procedures usually varies directly with the size of the school. For example, in a small school requisitions on the budget are not numerous enough to be burdensome to the principal, and he probably should receive them from teachers, department heads, and custodians whenever need arise. In a larger school, requisitions may be so numerous that the principal is justified in requesting teachers and others to anticipate their needs and submit all request s to him on a particular day of the week or month. Accounting procedures should require as little attention from the administrator as possible. However, an accurate record for a comprehensive audit and a dependable basis for investigating comparable cost must be provided.

The principal, or the one to whom he has delegated the responsibility of making requisitions, should keep memorandum accounts that enable him to determine quickly whether or not requisitioned items can be secured within the limits of unspent budget balances. In some system such budget information is provided at intervals from the superintendent’s office. However, two routine checks of budget items are by no means a waste of time, and the principal gains in effectiveness if he is self-reliant in discharging his budgetary responsibilities. Clerks in other administrative offices are more conscientious in their duties if they know they are dealing with someone who is accurately informed about items within his control.

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The author is Senior Bookeeper at Sto. Tomas National High School ,

Sasmuan, Pampanga