HOPE System Guide During the Day 9/12/96 Page 63

Handling Money and Credit Cards

Money handling procedures are important in any business which processes cash. Careful cash handling and making the proper change is a basic skill. In almost all cases, a cash register is not required.

HOPE will show the amounts due, record payments and indicate either change due or balance due. A second form of payment may be recorded. However no third split is possible.

Credit card processing is also key. All credit cards should be processed on line by "swiping" the card through the designated slot attached to the computer or keyboard, or through a separate "ZON" reader if that is what is available. The impression of the card must also be taken on the credit card press so that a hard copy is retained and a copy prepared for the customer. The approval number must be recorded on the hard copy credit card slip, along with a brief description of the merchandise and the amounts charged, and the customer must sign the credit card slip.

If using a cash register, cash box or cash bag, the contents should be reconciled to the closing report at days end. The closing report will break down transactions into cash, credit card and check.

A cash minimum should be maintained, usually $100, broken down into denominations (one $10 bill, four $5 bills, fifty $1 bills and $20 in change).

The balance of the cash and all checks should be deposited ASAP (night deposits are preferable in most areas). A notation as to the amount of the deposit is made in ink on the closing report.

Credit card transactions are then reconciled: A sample form is below. The total report from the Zon machine, IC Verify (R) Printout, or from the credit transmission report is compared to the total on the closing report. If there is no hard copy printout from the Zon or IC Verify, the total is written in ink and initialed.

The closing procedure summarizes the results.