CHANGE FUNDS
At the beginning of each accounting period or when the store is reopened after being closed for over 72 hours, advance funds are provided to the store operator by the disbursing officer. On ships operating multiple retail outlets, this advance may be made by the ship's store officer, the designated officer assistant, or designated cash collection agent. The operator must sign a Cash Receipt Certificate, NAVCOMPT Form 2114, for the funds. The funds are used as change until such time as sales are sufficient to provide the required change. The amount of the change fund is usually $50. An instruction on the change funds, including the amount of the change fund, will be approved by the commanding officer and included in the supply department instructions. The advanced change fund is not registered on the cash register, but remains in excess of proceeds from the sales. At the close of the business day or as soon as possible thereafter, the retail store operator returns the amount of funds advanced to the retail store before reading the cash register. At this time, the receipt originally given for the funds is destroyed. Advanced change funds may remain in the cash register overnight only when the day's sales have not produced sufficient cash to provide change for business the following day. On special occasions such as paydays, when a greater amount is required temporarily for change, an extra amount may be entrusted to the retail store operator upon presentation of his or her receipt. Such extra amounts must be specified in the instructions of the commanding officer to the ship's store officer.

CASH TRANSACTIONS
All sales in the ship's store are made on a cash basis and United States currency is the only currency acceptable. In addition to U. S. currency, the customer has the option of using either a personal check or traveler's check. The ship's store as a matter of necessity must impose certain conditions on accepting these documents instead of cash.

PERSONAL AND TRAVELER'S CHECKS

The most widely used alternative to cash is the personal check. You can accept personal checks only from active duty or active duty for training personnel for the amount of purchase only. Two-party checks are not acceptable. Personal checks must be on a United States account, stated in terms of United States currency, inscribed with the printed name of the purchaser and magnetic ink bank account number, and made payable to USS___________. The customer's signature should include his or her first name, middle initial, if any, and last name. Make sure his or her current duty station and social security number are written on the back of the check. The store operator should politely ask for the customer's armed forces identification card and verify the purchaser's signature and social security number on the check with what is on the identification card. Make sure the date on the check is correct and the amount written agrees with the amount shown in numbers. Checking the basic informa-tion on the check will prevent the check from being returned because it was not filled out correctly. Another alternative to cash is the traveler's check. Customers may use traveler's checks in amounts up to $5 over purchase. Make sure the customer endorses the traveler's check in your presence. Ask for the customer's armed forces identification card and verify the signature to make sure it is the same as that on the traveler's check.