Cash Memo

Cash Memo Definition

A cash memo is a document that tracks the accounting of receipts and payments. Cash memos are used to track accounting for both business-to-business transactions, as well as business-to-consumer transactions.

If you are running a small business, chances are you have to make cash payments or receive cash payments on a regular basis. Creating your cash memos can be an easy way to keep track of all this accounting data.

Benefits of Using Cash Memos

Creating cash memos can be a valuable way of accounting without losing any vital information or having the accounting process bogged down in technicalities. It is also very simple to do with a minimal time commitment.

Below are some of the benefits of creating a cash memo for accounting purposes:

• The cash memo will help you track your accounting without losing any information in the process.

• Cash memos are easy to use and understand, making them perfect for accounting beginners.

• You can create a system that works best for your business by using cash memos for accounting instead of general accounting software programs or spreadsheets.

What Are the Contents of a Cash Memo?

The typical contents of a cash memo include:

• Date – To keep track of when the cash memo was created.

• Vendor name or business name involved in the exchange – To identify who you are accounting for.

• Serial number of cash memo – For accounting purposes, you can create a system of numbers or letters to keep track of cash memos.

• Customer or Purchaser’s Order number – To keep track of the order number of a single customer or purchaser.

• Description of goods – To identify what was purchased

• Quantity of goods – To track how many goods were purchased

• Unit price of the goods – The cost per item you are accounting for.

• Total transaction amount paid or received in cash – This number should be the total of all cash paid or received during a specific period.

• Type of payment – To indicate the method of payment made (cash or check).

• The duly authorized person must sign the cash memo – This person needs to be the one who received or paid cash for accounting purposes.

• Terms and Conditions, if any – Any additional conditions that apply to the transaction.

Who Should Be Responsible for Managing This Document?

Typically, accounting personnel manages cash memos who use the information received from the document in accounting software programs or spreadsheets.

However, business owners can also manage it if they have an accounting background and properly understand how to fill out the cash memo. Cash memos are extremely important for accounting purposes.

Examples of What They Look Like and How to Fill One Out

Mia owns a boutique called Melon Wears. Olive, one of the regular customers, visits the shop and buys two pairs of sweaters of Monte Carlo’s brand for $100 each, two denim jeans for $125 each.

Mia offers a 15% discount to Olive and charges 10% VAT on the sale transaction. Mia prepares a sample cash memo for the transaction mentioned above.

How to Create a Cash Memo?

1. Write the date of the transaction on the cash memo.

2. Write the name and address of your business in the top right-hand corner, underline it. Make sure all accounting transactions are accurate to avoid any accounting discrepancies later on.

3. Fill out the information in Item number one by writing down “Cash Payment” or “Receipts” depending on how you are accounting for the transaction.

4. Fill out item number two by writing down all information related to the purchase or sale of goods that occurred during this accounting period (for example Olive, Monte Carlo).

If there is no specific name involved in the exchange between your business and another individual/company write “anonymous” under their name.

5. Fill out item number three by writing down the number of goods that were purchased or sold during this accounting period (for example, two sweaters and two pairs of jeans).

6. Write down in Item number four all price information related to the transaction (for example, 100 for each sweater, 125 for each denim jeans).

7. Write down in Item number five the total amount of cash paid or received during this accounting period (for example, $450).

8. Fill out items number six and seven by writing down all relevant information related to your business’s accounting process.

9. Fill out the last section by writing down your signature (or company name) followed by your contact information like phone numbers or email address in case there is any need to get in touch with you about this transaction.

You can also add a stamp of your company’s logo at the bottom left-hand corner.

You should complete this cash memo after accounting for every transaction that was made using cash or other forms of payment in order to properly manage accounting processes and avoid accounting discrepancies.