Financial Management & Digital Accounting · Beginner level

Beginner level · Module 4: Tracking and Controlling Expenses · Lesson 3 of 3

Petty Cash and Expense Analysis

Control small cash expenses and analyse spending to find savings.

In this lesson you will

  • Operate a petty cash system
  • Analyse expenses to recommend savings

Key concepts

imprest systempetty cash voucherstrend analysissavings

The lesson

A petty cash imprest keeps a fixed float, such as 100,000 SSP. Each payment has a voucher; when topped up, the vouchers plus remaining cash must equal the float.

Analyse expenses by category and month: which have grown, which are largest, and where are there unusual spikes?

Recommend savings that keep quality and safety — negotiating supplier prices, reducing waste, combining trips.

Step by step

  1. Set up a petty cash float and vouchers.
  2. Reconcile petty cash.
  3. Chart expenses by category.
  4. Recommend three savings.

Practice activity

Complete the expense analysis with recommendations.

Expected result: A reconciled petty cash record and an analysis with practical savings.

Check your understanding

  1. In an imprest system, what must vouchers plus cash equal?

    Show answer

    The fixed float.

  2. What makes a good saving?

    Show answer

    It reduces cost without harming quality or safety.

Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.