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# Overview

Aim

Financial controls - to reduce the risk of errors, misuse or theft of the resources you have been entrusted with.

Security measures - to provide protection for these resources and, more importantly, for your staff whose lives may be put at risk during a violent robbery.

Financial controls and security are complementary and are dealt with together in the following sections.

Key Questions before leaving head office

- Financial controls - does your organisation have standard policies regarding financial controls and security?
  - How appropriate are they?
  - Do you have the authority to adapt them to suit local circumstances?
- Transferring funds - how will the first transfers be made and what are the risks involved?
- Storing cash - taking a safe from head office might be a good option.
- Bank accounts - how do you open an account or, if one exists, who are the signatories?

Risks will vary. The following list will help you to identify your immediate priorities:

In the early stages of an emergency

Theft or loss of cash are generally the greatest risks. Measures such as getting a safe and checking balances are therefore the priorities.

- Transferring funds - from cash to bank transfers. More
- Carrying cash - consider alternatives and remember risks to staff. More
- Storing cash - you will almost certainly need at least one safe. More
- Bank accounts - a priority. More
- Knowing how to deal with the theft or loss of cash. More

As the programme gets going

There will be a rapid increase in the risk of fraud and mismanagement. You can reduce the risk by:

- Developing simple clear financial procedures and getting them accepted and enforced. More
- Reducing programme exposure to fraud and financial mismanagement. More
- Identifying the document and reality checks you personally should make to deter fraud and mismanagement. More
- Knowing how to deal with fraud if you discover it. More

It is important to go through the Checklists regularly to assess the health of your financial controls and security. Case study