Subject: Foreign Currency Exchange Float Date Issue: June 6th, 2016
CC: Accounting Effective Date: August 1st, 2016
Prepared by:
Position: Financial Controller
Signature:
Approved By:
Position: General Manager
Signature:
OBJECTIVE
To allow proper control over foreign currency exchange transactions.
POLICY
1. Where the volume of daily foreign exchange transactions is significant, a separate float will be set up for that purpose only. Only exchange transactions with registered hotel guests are permitted.
2. The amount of the foreign currency exchange float should be kept at the same level by using the hotel conversion rate prevailing at the time of the transaction for float refund with float replenishment done on daily basis.
3. Foreign currencies received should be deposited in the bank the next business day to limit the risk of foreign exchange movement and should not be used for other payments.
PROCEDURE
Note: The foreign currency exchange float setup, control and count should follow the same procedures as for any other cash float (cf. procedure nº II-1).
I- Foreign exchange transactions
1. Some additional precautions must be taken when exchanging foreign currency notes:
• Do not accept bank notes that are no longer legal tender
• Beware of false bank notes and make sure to comply with security measures
• Only accept those foreign currencies that the hotel Financial Controller has pre approved.
2. The Front Office cashier will prepare a Foreign Exchange Voucher (3-copies) showing the foreign currency amount, exchange rate and calculation to local currency, as well as the guest’s name and room number.
Once completed and signed by the guest, the foreign exchange transaction must be processed through the PMS.
3. The Foreign Exchange Voucher is distributed as follows:
• Original copy - to the guest
• Second copy - to General Cashier when exchanging for local currency
• Third copy - permanently filed in numerical order
4. In most hotels this may be processed automatically through the PMS, thereby generating a voucher automatically. In this case two copies only are required.
5. At shift-end, all foreign exchange collections for the shift should be sealed in a remittance envelope with attached copies of the related Foreign Exchange Vouchers and a system- generated cashier report.
II- Reimbursement of the foreign currency exchange float
1. The reimbursement schedule for local currency will depend on the foreign currency exchange float capacity and the frequency of transactions. However, a daily replenishment system is recommended.
2. A currency exchange transaction report by cashier should be printed out from the PMS. The General Cashier will reconcile it with all documents received from the cashier, i.e. the system-generated cashier report, all individual Foreign Exchange Vouchers and collected foreign currency notes to ensure the completeness of the posting and the actual remittance.
3. After reviewing all foreign exchange transactions and checking all calculations, the General Cashier will replenish immediately the foreign currency exchange float.
4. All foreign currencies must then be banked the same day with any subsequent gain (loss) on exchange recorded.