Petty Cash Procedure

Most University purchases are processed through purchase requisitions, direct order contracts, corporate purchasing card or expense reimbursement. Units can make use of a petty cash fund to pay incidental, low value expenditures when it is a more cost efficient alternative to other payment and reimbursement processes. Normally, a unit's petty cash fund will be $500. Shared Services will consider exceptions to this limit for situations where the unit will be disbursing cash of up to $500 per individual in person to non-employees such as research subjects and students (e.g., as a travel allowance paid in advance of a University of Alberta course-related trip or to participate in University of Alberta athletic events).

UAPPOL Procedure:
Petty Cash Procedure

Last updated: March 2026