The following points highlight the top two types of voucher in accounting. The types are: 1. Primary or Accounting Vouchers 2. Supporting Vouchers.

Voucher Type # 1. Accounting Voucher:

These vouchers are prepared on the basis of supporting vouchers by the accounts clerk or the accountant of the organisation and which are countersigned by an authorised signatory. As soon as it is signed the same is recorded in the books of accounts. These vouchers are made both for cash and non-cash transactions.

Thus, accounting Vouchers are of two types:

1. Cash Voucher and
2. Non-Cash Voucher or Transfer Voucher.

(a) Cash Voucher:

Cash vouchers are the documentary evidence of both cash receipts and cash payments. Again, Cash Vouchers are of two following types, (i) Debit Voucher, and (ii) Credit Voucher.

(i) Debit Voucher:

Debit vouchers are the documentary evidence of cash payments. These vouchers are prepared to keep records of various cash payments relating to the business including capital and revenue payments. For example, payment of Wages and Salaries, purchase of Plant by cash; Purchase of goods for cash, etc.

Contents of Debit Vouchers:

The following information are normally available from a debit voucher:

1. Names and Addresses of the Parties;
2. Date of preparing the voucher;
3. Voucher Number;
4. Amount of the transaction;
5. Heads of Account;
6. Signature of the person who is preparing the voucher;
7. Authorised signatory;
8. Narration i.e., short description of the transaction and
9. Number of supporting Vouchers.

The format of a Debit Voucher is presented:

Note:

1. If the amount of transaction exceeds Rs. 500 a revenue stamp valued Re 1. should be affixed.
2. As the supporting voucher (i.e., Cash Memo No 90) is available, hence, the receipt portion of the debit voucher is not required.

(ii) Credit Voucher:

Credit vouchers are the documentary evidence of Cash receipts. These vouchers are prepared to record various cash receipts relating to the business. Examples of credit vouchers: Sale of Goods for cash; Sale of fixed assets or investment for cash; Cash received from Debtors, etc.

Contents of Credit Voucher:

The following information are usually available from a credit voucher:

1. Names and address of the parties;
2. Date of preparing the voucher;
3. Voucher Number;
4. Amount of the transaction;
5. Heads of account;
6. Signature of the person who is preparing the voucher;
7. Authorised Signatory;
8. Narrations, i.e., short description of the transaction, and
9. Number of Supporting Voucher.

The format of a Credit Voucher is presented:

Non-Cash or Transfer Voucher:

Non-Cash or Transfer vouchers are the documentary evidence of non-cash transactions. These vouchers are prepared to record the non-cash transactions of the business. Examples of non-cash vouchers are: Goods sold on Credit; Sale of Fixed Assets or Investment on Credit; Writing-off depreciation or Bad Debts, Returns Inward, etc.

Contents of Non-Cash Vouchers:

1. Name and Address of the parties;
2. Date of preparing the voucher;
3. Voucher Number;
4. Amount of the transaction;
5. Heads of Account;
6. Signature of the person who is preparing it;
7. Authorised Signatory;
8. Narration, i.e., short description of the transaction and
9. Number of Supporting Vouchers.

The format of a Non-Cash or Transfer Voucher is given:

Voucher Type # 2. Supporting Vouchers:

Supporting Vouchers are the documentary evidence of business transactions which have happened.

They are of two types:

• External Supporting Vouchers; and
• Internal Supporting Vouchers.

(i) External Supporting Vouchers:

These vouchers are prepared by the third parties who are associated with the firm.

For example:

1. Debit Note Received;
2. Credit Note Received;
3. Purchase Invoice Received from the Supplier of Goods, etc. and
4. Cash Memo Received from the Sellers, etc.

The format of a Supporting Voucher is presented:

(ii) Internal Supporting Vouchers:

These vouchers are prepared by the internal staff on behalf of ‘the firm which are accepted by the third parties for the transaction so happened.

For example:

1. Counterfoil-of Challan for payment of income tax to a bank;
2. Counterfoil of pay-in-slip when money is deposited into bank, etc.