{"id":"C1913L00059","name":"London Account Regulations","slug":"c1913l00059","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"repealed","isInForce":false,"actNumber":"59 of 1913","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":320174,"registerId":"commonwealth-C1913L00059-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-08","status":"Repealed","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"London Account Regulations","content":"STATUTORY RULES.\n\n1913\\. No. 59.\n\nLONDON ACCOUNT REGULATIONS UNDER THE AUDIT ACT 1901-1912.\n\nI, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the within London Account Regulations under the Audit Act 1901-1912 to come into operation forthwith. Such Regulations shall supersede the Provisional London Account Regulations (Statutory Rules 1910, No. 98, and 1911, No. 7), under the said Act, made on the 31st day of October, One thousand nine hundred and ten, and the 31st day of January, One thousand nine hundred and eleven.\n\nDated this 21st day of February, One thousand nine hundred and thirteen.\n\nDENMAN,\n\nGovernor-General.\n\nBy His Excellency’s Command,\n\nJOSIAH THOMAS,\n\nFor the Treasurer.\n\nC.788.—Price 8d.\n\n \n\n \n\nINDEX TO LONDON ACCOUNT REGULATIONS.\n\n```html\n

Clause No.

Accountant may not be also Paying Officer .....................................

16

„ to keep a Ledger, Order Book, Register of Accounts, and Journal............

19 (c)

„ to prepare accounts ..........................................

19 (a)

„ to check and initial accounts ....................................

19 (b)

„ to complete the certificate of every account in respect of the manner of payment of the account

23

,, to record all authorities for payment into bank accounts...................

23

„ to audit Commonwealth accounts in London ..........................

19 (d), 45

,, to examine Bank Account and compare with Bank Pass Book

45 (a), 45(e)

,, to reconcile balance of Bank Pass Book with balance of Bank Account.........

45 (d)

„ to inspect and examine vouchers ..................................

45 (b)

„ to examine receipt books, &c., and trace all collections to account............

45 (c)

„ to certify copy of Bank Account to be furnished to Treasury ...............

46, 47

,, „ „ statement of Ledger Balances to be furnished to Treasury........

48

„ to bring under notice balances at credit of Ledger Accounts when orders are complete

44

„ shall not order, inspect, nor certify to delivery of supplies .................

18, 24

„ „ „ have custody of cash or cheques ...........................

20 (a)

„ „ „ lodge cash or cheques to credit of bank accounts ................

20 (b)

„ ,, „ hand cash or cheques to claimants ..........................

20 (c)

„ „ „ sign receipts for moneys due to Commonwealth.................

20 (d)

„ to make suggestions for alteration of Regulations if thought necessary.........

19 (e)

Accounts to be certified by Official Secretary ..................................

17 (c)

„ for supplies to bear a certificate, in addition to 17 (c), showing proof of delivery and nature of inspection made

24

„ duplicate, preparation of.......................................

25

„ payment of. See Payment of Accounts

„ remittance. See Remittance Accounts

Acknowledgments for receipts of money not to be given in manuscript..................

33

Acquittances to accounts not to be signed before actual payment......................

35

„ „ to be checked and initialed by Accountant......................

39

Advances may be made to Paying Officer, London ................................

30, 43

„ made to Paying Officer may be reimbursed...........................

43

„ „ „ „ to posted to his debit in the ledger...................

43

Audit of accounts in London to be made by Accountant............................

19 (d), 45

Auditor-General to examine London documents .................................

55

„ to forward vouchers to Departments concerned ........................

54

Bank to be advised of remittances ..........................................

14

„ to acknowledge remittances to Official Secretary and Treasury..............

12

„ to furnish to Treasury, at end each month, a copy of Pass Book that month......

49

„ account to be kept in Form 4 ....................................

17 (a)

„ „ entries in, to be posted direct to Ledger Accounts .................

40

„ „ to be compared with Bank Pass Book .........................

45 (a)

„ „ balance of, to be reconciled with balance of Bank Pass Book..........

45 (d)

,, ,, to be added and balance carried down twice a month...............

46

„ „ copy of, to be forwarded to Treasury at end of month...............

46, 47

„ accounts not to be opened without approval of Treasurer..................

36

„ Pass Book to be compared and reconciled with Bank Account...............

45(a), 45(d)

„ ,, ,, copy of, to be furnished monthly to Treasury.................

49

Bill stamps to be debited to a separate account ..................................

42

Blank forms not to be signed .............................................

35

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Clause No.

Certificate to accounts to be signed by Official Secretary...........................

17 (c)

„ ,, to be completed by Accountant in respect of the manner of payment of the accounts

23

„ to be placed on accounts for supplies (in addition to that under 17 (c),) showing proof of delivery and nature of inspection made

24

„ under Section 24 may not be signed by Accountant or Sub-Accountant or Paying Officer

24

„ to accompany copy of Bank Account ...............................

47

„ „ statement of ledger balances ...............................

48

Cheques to be prepared and signed by Paying Officer .............................

17 (b)

,, to be crossed and made payable to order, if possible .....................

28 (b)

„ to be specially crossed when paid into creditor's bank account ..............

26

„ not to be drawn in favour of a number ..............................

27

„ to be countersigned by Official Secretary ............................

28

„ not to be countersigned unless account is certified ......................

28 (c)

„ to be entered in Memorandum Book (Form 9) on being countersigned

39

„ unpaid at close of day, to be produced by Paying Officer ..................

39

„ numbers of, to be placed on accounts ...............................

29

,, ,, not to be repeated ......................................

28 (c)

Collections, full amount of, to be paid into bank without deduction .....................

34

„ receipt to be given on printed form and not in manuscript..................

33

„ details to be written on counterfoil of receipts .........................

33

„ „ to be transcribed into Bank Account .........................

33

„ to be traced to Bank Pass Book by Accountant ........................

45 (c)

Commonwealth moneys due in United Kingdom to be paid through the Official Secretary.....

1

Directions issued by Treasury in respect of receipt, payment, and accounting of London moneys, to be followed

56

Duplicate accounts, preparation of ..........................................

25

Expenditure to be recorded by Department concerned, against respective transfers..........

54

,, in excess of transfer or made without transfer—instructions in respect of.......

11

Fixed Deposits, money may be placed on Fixed Deposit............................

50

„ „ may be made with any bank other than that in which Commonwealth account is kept, on approval of Treasurer

50

„ „ to be brought to account in ledger, when made with a bank other than that in which Commonwealth account is kept

50

Inspection of supplies to be made in London as required ...........................

4

„ vouchers, records, receipt books, bank account, &c., to be made by Accountant...

45

Insurance against marine risks to be effected on all supplies shipped from United Kingdom....

51

Journal to be kept .....................................................

19 (c)

„ entries in, to be posted direct to several ledger accounts ..................

40

„ „ copies of, to be furnished to Treasury .........................

47

„ „ making transfers to Trust Fund—London Liabilities ...............

5-9

Ledger to be kept .....................................................

19 (c)

„ Accounts to be kept as directed by the Treasurer .......................

41

,, „ „ opened, for fixed deposits made with a bank other than that in which Commonwealth account is kept

50

„ balances, statement of, to be furnished monthly to Treasury................

48

„ to be posted direct from bank account and journal ......................

40

Letters of Administration to be registered by Paying Officer .........................

31 (e)

Marine Insurance to be effected on all supplies shipped from United Kingdom.............

51

Moneys due by Commonwealth in United Kingdom, to be paid through Official Secretary.....

1

„ collected in London, See Collections

„ private, not to be mingled with Commonwealth funds ..........................

37

Official moneys not to be mingled with private funds..............................

37

Official Secretary may not be Paying Officer .....................................

16

,, ,, to be advised of remittances and accounts to be credited

15

,, ,, to certify accounts for payment .............................

17 (c)

,, „ to give a certificate, in addition to that under 17 (c), on all accounts for supplies, showing proof of delivery and nature of inspection made

24

,, ,, to indorse duplicate accounts ..............................

25

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Clause No.

Official Secretary to countersign all cheques for payment, see they are properly drawn and crossed, that two cheques are not drawn for one account, that no two cheques bear the same numbers, and that the accounts are certified

28

,, ,, to countersign cheques drawn on Advance Account..................

30

,, ,, to enter in a Memorandum Book (Form 9) number and amount of all cheques countersigned

39

,, „ shall not have custody of cash or cheque .........................

20 (a)

,, „ „ lodge cash or cheques to credit of bank accounts

20 (b)

„ ,, „ hand cash or cheques to claimants ......................

20 (c)

,, ,, ,, sign receipts for moneys due to Commonwealth

20 (d)

,, ,, to inspect supplies as required..............................

4

,, ,, to insure against marine risks all supplies shipped from the United Kingdom

51

,, ,, may place moneys on fixed deposit .............................

50

,, ,, to forward vouchers, copy of bank account, and statement of lodger balance to Treasury each month

46-48

„ ,, to arrange for bank to forward each month a copy of Pass Book for that month

49

,, ,, to supervise Accountant and Paying Officer.......................

16

,, ,, responsible for carrying out of Regulations .......................

16

Order to pay agent (Form 12) to be retained in London Office .....................

31 (c)

Order Book to be kept ...............................................

19 (c)

Orders for supplies from United Kingdom to be placed with Official Secretary

1

,, ,, to be numbered consecutively .................................

2

,, ,, numbers of, to be set out on journal entries ........................

9

,, ,, separate orders to be furnished when supplies are chargeable against more than one item of Appropriation Act

3

,, „ to specify the nature of inspection (if any) to be made

4

,, ,, records to be kept by Departments concerned......................

54

,, ,, expenditure in respect of, to be recorded by Departments concerned against the transfers to Trust Fund

54

,, ,, completion of, to be brought under notice of Treasury when there is a balance remaining at credit of the account

44

Paying Officer to keep a bank account ....................................

17 (a)

,, ,, to write and sign cheques ...................................

17 (b)

,, ,, to pay all accounts duly certified ..............................

17 (c)

,, ,, may receive advance for payment of accounts......................

30, 43

,, ,, may hold £10 in cash for payment of petty expenses..................

30

,, ,, to receive, bank, and sign receipts for all moneys due to the Commonwealth..

17 (d)

,, ,, to produce at close of each day vouchers for all payments made, and countersigned cheques still on hand

39

,, „ not to obtain Pass Book from the bank ..........................

45 (a)

,, „ not to order, inspect, nor certify to delivery of supplies................

18, 24

,, „ may not be also Accountant or Sub-Accountant or Official Secretary.......

16

Payment of all moneys due by Commonwealth in the United Kingdom to be made through the Official Secretary

1

,, may be made to administrators ...................................

31 (e)

„ „ „ any person other than original claimant, on approval of the Treasurer

31 (g)

,, „ „ attorneys .......................................

31 (d)

,, ,, ,, Commonwealth creditor .............................

31 (a)

,, ,, ,, creditors’ account in any bank in the United Kingdom..........

31 (b)

,, „ ,, executors .......................................

31 (e)

,, ,, „ holder of Form 12 (Agent), form to be retained in the London Office

31 (c)

,, ,, ,, Official Assignees .................................

31 (f)

„ ,, ,, trustees of insolvent estates ...........................

31 (f)

,, of accounts to be made to the credit of a bank account if possible

22

„ „ into a bank account, instructions in respect of ....................

26

„ „ „ „ „ to be advised to creditor ....................

39

„ of accounts in excess of £50 to be specially arranged ....................

21

\n```\n\n \n\n| | Clause No. |\n| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- |\n| Payment of accounts in excess of £50 to be witnessed by Official Secretary or Accountant, or Sub-Accountant, unless made to a bank account or posted | 32 |\n| „ „ for petty expenses may be made from petty cash................... | 30 |\n| „ „ not exceeding 5s. may be made without voucher................... | 43 |\n| ,, of salaries of office staff may be made in cash......................... | 30 |\n| Powers of attorney to be retained by Paying Officer if they are not in the custody of a public official | 31 (d) |\n| Private moneys not to be mingled with Commonwealth funds ........................ | 37 |\n| Probates of wills to be registered by Paying Officer .............................. | 31 (e) |\n| Receipts for moneys received to be signed by Paying Officer ........................ | 17 (d) |\n| „ „ „ to be given on printed form ........................... | 33 |\n| „ ,, „ not to be given in manuscript .......................... | 33 |\n| Register of accounts to be kept ............................................ | 19 (c) |\n| „ „ to contain full detail of accounts ............................. | 38 |\n| Remittances to be made as required ......................................... | 12 |\n| „ to be advised to bank ......................................... . | 14 |\n| „ „ „ Official Secretary ................................. | 15 |\n| „ made by Sub-Treasuries to be advised to Treasury ...................... | 13 |\n| Salaries of office staff may be paid in cash .................................... | 30 |\n| Signatures not to be obtained to blank forms, or to acquittances to accounts before the actual payment | 35 |\n| Stamp duty discount to be debited to an account called “Bill stamps and discount”.......... | 42 |\n| Sub-Accountant may not also be Paying Officer ................................. | 16 |\n| „ shall not order, inspect, nor certify to delivery of supplies................. | 18, 24 |\n| ,, shall not have custody of cash or cheques ............................ | 20 |\n| ,, shall not lodge cash or cheques to credit of Bank Accounts | 20 |\n| „ shall not hand cash or cheques to claimants .......................... | 20 |\n| „ sign receipts for moneys due to Commonwealth ....................... | 20 |\n| „ to see personally to advices to creditors of payments into their bank accounts..... | 39 |\n| „ to have access to memorandum book of Official Secretary ................. | 39 |\n| „ to see all countersigned cheques on hand at close of each day, and vouchers, for payments made during the day | 39 |\n| „ to check ditto with memorandum book of Official Secretary................ | 39 |\n| „ to check and initial acquittances to all payments made at close of each day...... | 39 |\n| Supplies from the United Kingdom to be ordered through Official Secretary | 1 |\n| „ contained in any one order to be chargeable against the same item of the Appropriation Act | 3 |\n| Transactions in London to be recorded by Treasury and Departments concerned | 54 |\n| Transfers to be made on despatch of order for full amount of order when the expenditure will be due within six months | 5 |\n| ,, to Trust Fund—London Liabilities—how to be prepared.................. | 7-8 |\n| „ not to be made without instructions when full amount of order will not be required within six months | 6 |\n| „ to remove debit balances on ledger accounts to be arranged by Treasury........ | 11 |\n| Transfer accounts, preparation of .......................................... | 7-11 |\n| „ ,, to show nature of supplies ................................. | 9 |\n| ,, „ to give a reference to each order number, and amount in respect of each order | 9 |\n| „ „ covering expenditure already made to give reference to London Voucher number, &c. | 11 |\n| Treasurer may authorize the inclusion in one order of supplies chargeable against more than one item of Appropriation Act | 3 |\n| „ may direct that full amount of order be not transferred, when the order is dispatched | 5 |\n| „ may advise when full amount of order will not be due within six months (except under Clause 7) | 6 |\n| „ may reduce or increase advance to Paying Officer ...................... | 30 |\n| „ may increase amount of cash held by Paying Officer for petty expense......... | 30 |\n| ,, to approve of bank into which Paying Officer’s advance is to be paid.......... | 30 |\n\n \n\n```html\n

Clause No.

Treasurer may approve of payment of an account to any person other than the original claimant...

31 (g)

,, to approve of all bank accounts opened in London........................

36

” to approve of fixed deposits being placed with any bank other than that in which Commonwealth account is kept

50

Treasury to make arrangements for removal of debit balances on ledger accounts..............

11

,, to take action to close accounts when orders are completed...................

44

” to keep a record of London accounts..................................

53

” to examine vouchers, bank account, bank current account, so that all transactions are authorized, and that regulations have been complied with

52

” to forward vouchers and documents to Auditor-General......................

52

,, to issue directions in respect of all matters concerning receipt, payments and accounting of London moneys

56

,, to make remittances to London as required..............................

12

Trust Fund-London Liabilities—transfers to be made to...............................

5, 7, 8

Vouchers to be examined by Accountant........................................

39, 45 (b)

„ „ forwarded to Treasury by Official Secretary each month................

46

,, ” ” Auditor-General by Treasury.............................

52

,, „ „ Departments concerned by Auditor-General...................

54

\n```\n\n \n\n \n\nLONDON ACCOUNT REGULATIONS.\n\n(Section 63 of the Audit Act 1901.)\n\nPart I.—Orders and Remittances.\n\n1\\. All moneys payable by the Commonwealth of Australia in the United Kingdom shall be paid through the Official Secretary in Great Britain of the Commonwealth of Australia, London (hereinafter called the “Official Secretary”), and all orders for supplies from the United Kingdom for Commonwealth Departments shall be addressed to that officer.\n\n2\\. Orders sent by any Chief Officer shall be numbered consecutively, and the reference numbers shall be followed by words distinguishing the orders from those sent by other Chief Officers, e.g., “Order No. 38, Defence, N.S.W.,” “Order No. 12, Post Office, Central.”\n\n3\\. Unless specially authorized by the Treasurer, no order shall include supplies to be purchased under more than one item of a subdivision of the Appropriation Act.\n\n4\\. Special instructions shall be given, if necessary, in every order to the Official Secretary as to the nature of the inspection to be made by him before shipment and payment.\n\n5\\. When it is expected that the expenditure in respect of an order for supplies will have to be met by the Official Secretary within six months after the despatch of the order from Australia, the estimated amount required shall be placed to the credit of Trust Fund—London Liabilities Account immediately after despatch of the order, unless otherwise directed by the Treasurer.\n\n6\\. When it is expected that the whole or part of an order will not necessitate payments in London within six months of its despatch, the advice of the Treasury shall be sought as to the time at which the amount involved is to be placed to the credit of Trust Fund—London Liabilities Account.\n\n7\\. When it is expected that expenditure, other than expenditure in respect of an order for supplies, will have to be met by the Official Secretary, the estimated amount required shall be placed to the credit of Trust Fund—London Liabilities Account three months prior to the date on which the expenditure is to be met, or as soon afterwards as practicable.\n\n8\\. Whenever it is necessary to place moneys to the credit of Trust Fund—London Liabilities Account, the Authorizing Officer shall prepare and sign a transfer account, debiting the vote or account which is to bear the expenditure, and crediting Trust Fund—London Liabilities Account. The transfer account, if correct, shall be signed by the Certifying Officer, and its debit shall be entered and “marked off” by the Authorizing Officer in his Appropriation Ledger, but the credit shall be entered only in the Appropriation Ledger kept in the Treasury.\n\n9\\. On transfer accounts relating to orders for supplies there shall, in addition to short details showing the nature of the supplies, be set out separately the reference number of every order, and the amount to be placed to the credit of Trust Fund—London Liabilities Account in connexion with such order.\n\n \n\n11\\. Whenever it comes to the knowledge of the Authorizing Officer (see clause 54 hereof) that the Official Secretary has made payments in respect of which no transfer or an insufficient transfer to Trust Fund—London Liabilities Account has been made, the Authorizing Officer shall cause the amount of such payments, not previously transferred, to be transferred. Transfer accounts prepared in compliance with this clause shall show the numbers of the Official Secretary’s vouchers in which the payments are disclosed.\n\n12\\. The Treasury shall make remittances to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in London as required. Arrangements shall be made for that bank to immediately acknowledge to the Official Secretary and to the Treasury the receipt of all remittances.\n\n13\\. Advice between Treasury and Sub-Treasuries in connexion with remittances to London shall be in Form 1 and Form 3 (b).\n\n14\\. Advice to the bank as to drafts remitted shall be in Form 3 (a).\n\n15\\. The Official Secretary shall be advised in Form 2 by the Secretary to the Treasury of every arrangement for remitting money to the London bank account. A counterfoil of Form 2 shall be kept in the Treasury.\n\nPart II.—Staff in London.\n\n16\\. The Official Secretary shall be responsible for carrying out these Regulations so far as they relate to the business to be performed in London, and shall be assisted by an Accountant and a Paying Officer. Duties prescribed for the Accountant or the Paying Officer are to be performed under the supervision of the Official Secretary.\n\nNeither the Official Secretary, nor the Accountant, nor the Sub-Accountant, shall also be the Paying Officer.\n\n17\\. The Paying Officer shall—\n\n(a) Keep a bank account in Form 4.\n\n(b) Write and sign all cheques which may be legally drawn on the Commonwealth’s Bank Account in London.\n\n(c) Pay all accounts which are duly certified by the Official Secretary and be responsible for obtaining a proper acquittance in writing for every payment.\n\n(d) Receive, sign receipts for, and forthwith pay to the Commonwealth’s Bank Account in London, moneys payable to the Commonwealth.\n\n(e) Carry out other instructions provided for the Paying Officer in these Regulations.\n\n18\\. With the exception of writing documents for the signature of the Official Secretary and of the ordinary clerical work of record, the Paying Officer, the Accountant, and the Sub-Accountant shall not be concerned in ordering or inspecting supplies, and shall not certify to the due delivery thereof.\n\n19\\. The Accountant shall—\n\n(a) When necessary, prepare or complete accounts payable by the Commonwealth in London. (Forms 11 and 11a.)\n\n(b) Check every account payable by the Commonwealth in London, and, if correct, initial the certificate on Form 11 or Form 11a.\n\n(c) Keep a Ledger in Form 5, an Order Book in Form 6, a Register of Accounts in Form 7, and a Journal in Form 8.\n\n(d) Audit the Commonwealth’s Accounts in London.\n\n \n\n(e) From time to time make suggestions to the Treasury through the Official Secretary for such alterations of these Regulations as may to him appear desirable.\n\n(f) Carry out other instructions provided for the Accountant in these Regulations.\n\n20\\. Neither the Official Secretary, nor the Accountant, nor the Sub-Accountant shall, on behalf of the Commonwealth—\n\n(a) Have the custody of cash or cheques.\n\n(b) Lodge cash or cheques to the credit of bank accounts.\n\n(c) Hand cash or cheques to claimants.\n\n(d) Sign receipts for moneys due to the Commonwealth.\n\nPart III.—Payments and Collections in London.\n\n21\\. As soon as a contract or arrangement has been entered into by the Officer in Charge whereby an amount of more than £50 will become payable by the Commonwealth, a letter as in Form 10 shall be addressed to the person to whom payment will be due, unless he has been similarly addressed previously.\n\n22\\. Form 10 may be sent to any person to whom money is or may become payable, and all reasonable steps shall be taken to obtain authority to discharge Commonwealth indebtedness by paying into bank accounts.\n\n23\\. The Accountant shall preserve a record in the most convenient form of all authorities to pay into bank accounts, and shall fill in words in the certificate of every account, stating the name of the bank account into which the money is to be paid, or directing that the money be paid to “the proper claimant.”\n\n24\\. Before the ordinary certificate on Form 11 is signed, there shall be placed on every account for supplies a certificate signed by the Official Secretary, or one of his officers (other than the Accountant, the Sub-Accountant, and Paying Officer), showing what proof of due delivery has been accepted as sufficient, and the nature of the inspection made, if any.\n\n25\\. Duplicate accounts shall not be prepared except when an original account has been lost or mislaid. If it is necessary to prepare a duplicate, the Official Secretary shall state on the back thereof the reason for the non-production of the original, and shall certify, after due inquiry, that the account has not been paid. Across the race of duplicate accounts there shall be written, “Duplicate. See indorsement.”\n\n26\\. When a direction appears on any account for payment into a bank account, the cheque drawn in payment thereof shall be crossed by the Paying Officer in the following manner:—\n\nHe shall write between two parallel lines made across the face of the cheque the name of the bank and of the account into which the amount is payable.\n\n27\\. Cheques shall be drawn only in the name of the Commonwealth creditor, and not in favour of a number.\n\n28\\. The Official Secretary shall countersign all cheques legally drawn upon the Commonwealth’s London Bank Account, and shall see:—\n\n(a) in every case in which there is a direction on an account for payment into a bank account, that the cheque has been properly crossed as required by clause 26 of these Regulations, and that the details of the crossing agree with the particulars on the account;\n\n \n\n(b) that, unless inconvenience would apparently be caused to the claimant, cheques other than those payable to bank accounts are crossed and made payable to order;\n\n(c) that cheques are countersigned only for accounts which have been duly certified;\n\n(d) that the amounts of the cheques agree with the amounts of the respective accounts;\n\n(e) that two cheques are not drawn for the payment of one account, and that no two cheques bear the same number.\n\n29\\. To enable the test provided for in sub-clause (e) of the preceding clause to be applied, the Paying Officer shall place the number of the cheque on the account, Form 11 or Form 11a.\n\n30\\. An advance of £200 may be made to the Paying Officer, out of which he may pay duly certified accounts. The advance, which may be reduced or increased from time to time by the Treasurer, shall be paid into a bank approved by the Treasurer. All cheques drawn on the account by the Paying Officer shall be countersigned by the Official Secretary. The provisions of these Regulations in regard to payments from the Commonwealth London Bank Account shall also apply to payments from the Paying Officer’s Advance Account.\n\nThe Paying Officer may be given and may cash a cheque for £10 (or for such greater sum as may be approved by the Treasurer) for the purpose of paying petty expenses, and he may also be permitted by the Official Secretary to cash cheques drawn for payment of salaries and to pay the officers in cash.\n\n31\\. Payment shall be made by the Paying Officer—\n\n(a) Direct to the Commonwealth creditor.\n\n(b) To any bank in the United Kingdom to the credit of the creditor’s account if so authorized by him. A duplicate of the pay-in slip, signed by the Teller and stamped with the bank stamp, or a special form of receipt given by the bank, shall be attached to the account as a full acquittance.\n\n(c) To the holder of Form 12, which shall be retained in the London Office.\n\n(d) To a person authorized by power of attorney. If such power has not been registered by and retained for public inspection in the possession of any Public Official, it shall be retained by the Paying Officer, and shall be available for inspection by any person. If the power has been so registered, the Paying Officer shall note the reference numbers placed thereon.\n\n(e) To executors and administrators, on production of probate or letters of administration, and after registration of the documents by the Paying Officer.\n\n(f) To official assignees and trustees of insolvent estates.\n\n(g) To any person other than the original claimant to whom the Treasurer approves of payment being made.\n\n32\\. Every payment exceeding £50, unless made to a bank account, shall be made only in the presence of the Official Secretary or the Accountant, or the Sub-Accountant, who in such case shall sign the acquittance as a witness.\n\n33\\. Acknowledgments for moneys received shall not be given in manuscript. Machine-numbered printed receipts with counterfoils shall be obtained by the Official Secretary from a London printer, and the Accountant shall be advised as to the numbers of the receipts. Particulars\n\n \n\ncorresponding with those on the receipts shall be written on the counterfoils, which shall be initialed by the Paying Officer. The same details shall be transcribed into the Ban Account, Form 4.\n\n34\\. The full amount of Commonwealth moneys collected shall be paid to the Commonwealth’s Bank Account at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, without any deduction whatever.\n\n35\\. Officers are strictly forbidden to obtain signatures to blank forms or to acquittances or receipts before the actual payment of the accounts.\n\n36. Bank accounts shall not be opened in London without the approval of the Treasurer.\n\n37\\. Commonwealth moneys shall not, under any circumstances, be lodged in a bank to a private account, or be mingled with private funds.\n\nPart IV.—Bookkeeping and Miscellaneous.\n\n38\\. The Register of Accounts, Form 7, shall contain such detail or references to other records as would enable a complete statement of every account to be prepared after the despatch of the voucher to Australia.\n\n39\\. The Official Secretary shall, in his own handwriting, enter in a Memorandum Book (Form 9) the number and amount of every cheque countersigned by him. The Sub-Accountant shall have access to the Memorandum Book, and at the close of every day require the Paying Officer to produce vouchers for all cheques which have been countersigned. If any vouchers are not forthcoming, the cheques themselves shall be produced, or a satisfactory explanation (to be noted in the Memorandum Book) given. The Sub-Accountant shall complete the record in the Memorandum Book as required by the form thereof, and shall re-enter in the first column of the record for the next day the numbers and amounts of cheques for which vouchers have not been produced. The Sub-Accountant shall at this stage check the acquittances, and shall initial the same if satisfied that the requirements of Clause 31 of these Regulations have been carried out. Memoranda addressed to the Commonwealth creditors in cases where payment has been made to banking accounts, shall be handed with the vouchers to the Sub-Accountant, who shall sign and see personally to the despatch of such memoranda.\n\n40\\. The Bank Account, Form 4, shall be treated as a book of original entry, and the entries posted therefrom to the several Ledger Accounts. Entries not passing through the Bank Account shall be posted from the Journal.\n\n41\\. Except as otherwise prescribed, the accounts shall be kept in the Ledger under such heads as may be directed by the Secretary to the Treasury.\n\n42\\. Payment for stamps affixed in London to any bill forwarded from Australia or for discount on any bill shall be debited to an account called “Bill stamps and discount.”\n\n43\\. Advances to the Paying Officer (see Clause 30) shall be posted to his debit in the Ledger. At any time he may be reimbursed the amount expended by him out of such advances. To the claim for reimbursement there shall be attached vouchers for all sums of more than 5s., except in cases, such as cab fares, where it is not usual to obtain written receipts. On the claim there shall be set out the several accounts to be debited in the Ledger, so that there may be transcribed into the Bank Account, Form 4, such detail as will enable proper posting to be made\n\n \n\ntherefrom. Reimbursements of the advances will not be posted to the debit of the Paying Officer.\n\n44\\. In every case in which, after all the expenditure chargeable to any Ledger Account has been made, a balance remains at credit of the account, the Accountant shall immediately report the fact to the Treasury through the Official Secretary, in order that action may be taken to close the account.\n\n45\\. The Accountant shall carry on a continuous audit of the Paying Officer’s accounts in such manner as he may think fit. His audit shall, however, include the following steps, to be taken at least twice a month:—\n\n(a) Comparison of every entry in the expenditure column of the Bank Current Account, Form 4, with the vouchers and with the Bank Pass Book, which he shall, with his own hands, or with proper precautions through a person other than the Paying Officer, lodge in and receive back from the bank.\n\n(b) Inspection of every voucher to see that none but duly certified accounts have been paid, and that, unless the acquittance has been signed by the Commonwealth’s creditor himself, the authority to pay the person who has signed it has been duly recorded, and, where necessary, retained in the office.\n\n(c) Examination of correspondence records and counterfoils of receipt books to see that all money received has been duly brought to account.\n\n(d) Reconciliation of balance of Bank Pass Book and balance of Bank Account, Form 4.\n\n(e) Examination of Bills Receivable and Fixed Deposit columns of the Bank account, Form 4, to see that the entries are correct, and that the bank duly transfers to current account the amount of every Bill on its maturity.\n\n46\\. The Bank Account, Form 4, shall be added and the balances carried down twice a month. At the end of each month a copy shall be prepared of all the entries made in that month. Such copy shall, after certification by the Accountant, be handed with expenditure vouchers to the Official Secretary, who shall transmit all the documents to the Treasury by the first available mail.\n\n47\\. The certificate referred to in clause 46 shall read—\n\n“I certify—\n\n(a) That this is a true copy of the Commonwealth’s London Bank Account for the month ended\n\n(b) That I have duly audited the Commonwealth’s Accounts of Receipts and Expenditure in London up to the end of the month referred to, and have found them correct.”\n\n48\\. On the last day of every month the Ledger Accounts shall be balanced, and a list of all the Ledger Balances, together with a copy of all Journal Entries made during the month, shall be forwarded to Australia by the first available mail. The list shall be certified by the Accountant as follows:—\n\n“I certify that the foregoing list of balances agrees with the books kept by me.”\n\n49\\. Arrangements shall be made with the bank in which the Commonwealth’s London account is kept to make on the last day of every month a copy of the transactions in the current account during that month, and to send such copy direct to the Treasury in Melbourne.\n\n \n\n50\\. The Official Secretary may arrange with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, in which the Commonwealth’s London account is kept, or such other bank as may be approved by the Treasurer, to place such amount of the London moneys on fixed deposit as will not be required for disbursement during the term of such fixed deposit. If the fixed deposit is made with any other than the bank in which the Commonwealth’s current account is kept, the transaction will require a special Ledger Account.\n\n51\\. The Official Secretary shall insure against marine risks all supplies shipped from the United Kingdom for the Commonwealth Government.\n\n52\\. The Treasury shall, immediately on receipt of the documents from London, compare the vouchers with the copy of Bank Account, Form 4, and with the copy of the Current Account furnished by the bank, and generally make such examination as may be considered expedient, to see, as far as possible, that these Regulations have been complied with, and that no unauthorized transactions have occurred. Vouchers and documents shall be forwarded to the Auditor-General after examination.\n\n53\\. The Treasury shall keep such record of London accounts as may be considered necessary.\n\n54\\. In every Department for which money is transferred to Trust Fund—London Liabilities Account there shall be kept a record thereof, the amount for each order being separately shown. Against each amount in such record there shall be entered particulars of the expenditure as disclosed by the London vouchers, which shall be transmitted by the Auditor-General for the purpose.\n\n55\\. The Auditor-General shall make such examination of the London documents after their receipt in Australia as he may think fit.\n\n56\\. In all matters of receipt, payment, and account, directions issued from the Treasury shall be followed.\n\n57\\. The London Account Regulations (Statutory Rules 1908, No. 131) made under the Audit Acts 1901-1906 on 8th December, 1908, are hereby revoked.\n\nForm I (Clause 13).\n\nCommonwealth Treasury,\n\nMelbourne.\n\nDate 19\n\nSir,\n\nHerewith are forwarded accounts and Forms 18 to enable you to purchase a draft for £ on London at days sight in favour of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, London. It is requested that the first of exchange be forwarded by registered mail to the Manager of the bank referred to with an advice in Form 3 (a) of the London Account Regulations, that the second of exchange be forwarded by registered mail to this office with an advice in Form 3 (b) of same Regulations, and that the third of exchange be pasted to the back of the account (Form 9 of Treasury Regulations) in which the purchase of the draft has been authorized. At the foot of the Form 9 referred to a reference should be made to the third of exchange pasted on the back. When these steps have been taken the Paying Officer may make adjustment of the special advance in the usual way.\n\nI have the honour to be, sir,\n\nYour most obedient servant.\n\nSecretary to the Treasury.\n\nThe\n\n \n\nForm 2 (Clause 15).\n\nAdvice of Remittance.\n\nTreasury of the Commonwealth of Australia.\n\nMelbourne, 19\n\nThe Official Secretary in Great Britain of the Commonwealth of Australia, London.\n\nA Bill drawn on at days’ sight for £ was, per mail which left Sydney on , despatched by registered post from to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, London. The Manager of that bank has been asked to acknowledge the receipt of the Bill to you, and on the maturity thereof to collect the amount and place it to the credit of the “Commonwealth of Australia” in current account with the bank.\n\nIt is important that, if you do not receive such acknowledgment immediately, you should make inquiries at the bank, and take such other steps as the case may require.\n\nOn receipt of the acknowledgment there will be made in your books a debit to the bank (in column “ Bills Receivable ”) and a credit to each of the accounts set out below:—\n\n```html\n

.

Name of Account

Amount.

£

s.

d.

Total.....

\n```\n\nSecretary to the Treasury.\n\nForm 3 (a) (Clause 14).\n\nTreasury of the Commonwealth of Australia, Sub-Treasury at\n\n19\n\nSir,\n\nEnclosed herewith is a Bill for £ at day’s sight drawn in your favour by the at on the London.\n\nIt is requested that you will be so good as to:—\n\n1\\. Acknowledge receipt of the Bill to the Official Secretary in Great Britain of the Commonwealth of Australia, London, also to the Secretary to the Commonwealth Treasury, Melbourne.\n\n \n\n2\\. Place necessary Duty Stamps on Bill and debit the “Commonwealth of Australia.” in current account with the cost.\n\n3\\. Collect amount of Bill on maturity and place it to the credit of the “Commonwealth of Australia” in current account.\n\nAcknowledgment to me of the receipt of the bill is not necessary.\n\nI have the honour to be, sir,\n\nYour most obedient servant,\n\nPermanent Head of the Commonwealth Sub-Treasury at The Manager of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, London.\n\nForm 3 (b) (Clause 13)\n\nSub-Treasury at\n\n19\n\nSir,\n\nAs instructed in your dated I have this day forwarded, by registered mail, which left Sydney on . , to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, London, the first of exchange of a bank draft for £ at days’ sight drawn in favour of that Bank. The draft was drawn by the at on the London.\n\nI forward herewith the second of exchange of the draft referred to.\n\nI have the honour to be, sir,\n\nYour most obedient servant,\n\nPermanent Head.\n\nThe Secretary to the Treasury of the Commonwealth, Melbourne.\n\nForm 4 (Clause 17a).\n\nThe Commonwealth Bank of Australia.\n\n```html\n

Dr.

Cr.

Date on which amount of Bill or Fixed Deposit Receipt credited to Current account or renewed.

Reference to posting.

Details.

Current Account.

Bills Receivable.

Fixed Deposit.

Registration Number.

Voucher Number.

Cheque Number.

Reference to Posting.

Details.

Current Account.

Bills Receivable.

Fixed Deposit.

\n```\n\nC.788. B \n\nLEDGER.\n\n```html\n

Form 5 (Clause 19c).

Account.

Date.

Transactions.

Balance.

Dr.

Cr.

Dr.

Cr.

\n```\n\nForm 6 (Clause 19c).\n\nORDER BOOK.\n\n```html\n

Australian Order No.

Dated

Amount, £

\n```\n\n```html\n

Details of Supplies.

Order placed by Official Secretary.

Deliveries.

Accounts Passed.

Quantity.

No.

Date.

With whom.

When Due.

Date.

Name of Ship.

Particular or Accounts passed.

Amount.

Regulation Number.

£

s.

d.

\n```\n\nForm 7 (Clause 19c).\n\nREGISTER OF ACCOUNTS.\n\n```html\n

Registration Number.

Date.

Name.

Particulars (period of Service, Quantity, Rates. &c., or reference to Record showing full Particulars).

Amount.

Voucher Number.

Ledger Account to be charged.

Remarks.

£

s.

d.

\n```\n\nForm 8 (Clause 19c).\n\nJOURNAL.\n\n```html\n

Reference to Posting.

Dr.

Cr.

\n```\n\n \n\nForm 9 (Clause 39).\n\nMemorandum of Cheques countersigned and Vouchers seen on................\n\n```html\n

Cheques countersigned (Including those of previous days for which Vouchers were not seen by Sub-Accountant).

Acquittances seen and initialed by Sub-Accountant.

Cheques seen by Sub-Accountant at end of the day and re-entered in first column of next page.

Cheques not seen by Sub-Accountant at end of day and for which Vouchers not produced. Amount re-entered in first column of next page.

Remarks.

Number.

Amount.

\n```\n\nExamined\n\n........................\n\nSub-Accountant.\n\n…………..19\n\nForm 10 (Clause 21).\n\nOffices of the Commonwealth of Australia,\n\n| | | | | | | London, | | | 19 |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ------- | --- | --- | --- |\n\nTo\n\nUnder the circumstances noted hereunder a sum of money will become due to you by the Commonwealth of Australia, and I shall be glad if, by filling up and returning the attached document, you will be so good as to authorize me to pay the money, as well as any other money which may become, due to you at any time, to your credit at a bank. Should you grant the authority sought, advice of every lodgment to your credit will be sent to you by post simultaneously with the lodgment.\n\nOfficial Secretary\n\n.............................................................\n\n19\n\nCommonwealth of Australia.\n\n(Standing Authority.)\n\nThe Paying Officer at the Offices of the Commonwealth of Australia, London,\n\nPlease pay to the credit of my account at the all sums due and all sums which hereafter may become due to me by the Commonwealth of Australia.\n\n![](image.001.png)Signature of person to whom money is or may become due.\n\nNote.—Notice in writing to the Official Secretary in Great Britain of the Commonwealth of Australia, London, should be given of the withdrawal of this authority.\n\n \n\nForm 11 (Clauses 19a and 19b)\n\n```html\n

The Commonwealth of Australia,

London Voucher Number

Dr. to

\n```\n\n(Insert Address when necessary.)\n\n```html\n

Account to be debited in London Books....................................................................................

*19

£

s.

d.

Total

pounds

shillings

pence.

£

\n```\n\n\\* Insert In this column—Date of Supply or period of Service.\n\nI certify that this account is correct in every particular. I direct that the amount be paid to..............................................................................................................................\n\nOfficial Secretary.\n\n/ /19\n\n```html\n

Received on the

19 , from the Commonwealth of Australia,

the sum of

pounds

shillings

pence

\n```\n\nIn full payment of the above account.\n\nCheque Number\n\n(To be printed on back of Form)\n\nCertificate to be signed in Australia if the amount on other side hereof has been paid for supplies.\n\nI certify after due inquiry that the supplies mentioned on the other side hereof have been duly delivered at , and that the payment has been duly recorded in this Department as expenditure out of the amount of £ included in transfer account forwarded to the Treasury on\n\nI also certify that, so far as I can ascertain, this account is correct.\n\nCertifying Officer,\n\nDepartment of\n\n/ /19\n\nCertificate to be signed in Australia if the above certificate does not apply.\n\nI certify that the payment as on the other side hereof has been duly recorded in this Department as expenditure out of the amount of £ included in transfer account forwarded to the Treasury on\n\nI also certify that, so far as I can ascertain, this account is correct.\n\nCertifying Officer,\n\nDepartment of\n\n/ /19\n\n \n\nForm 11a (Clause 19a)\n\nLONDON OFFICE SALARIES.\n\nLondon Voucher Number.\n\nThe Commonwealth of Australia,\n\nDr. to the undermentioned persons for Salaries and Wages, from the day of to the day of 19 , inclusive.\n\n```html\n

Account to be debited In London books

Period

Salary

I. the undersigned, do hereby acknowledge to have received from the Commonwealth of Australia the sum opposite to my name, being in full of my Salary or Wages for the period herein specified.

Dato of Payment.

From

To

Rate.

Situation.

Name

£

Per

Amount.

£

s.

d.

\n```\n\nI certify that this account is correct in every particular.\n\nOfficial Secretary,\n\nDate / /19\n\nCheque Number\n\n(To be printed on back of Form)\n\nI certify that the payment as on the other side hereof has duly recorded in this Department as expenditure out of the amount of £ , included in transfer account forwarded to the Treasury on\n\nI also certify that, so far as I can ascertain, this account is correct.\n\nCertifying Officer,\n\nDepartment of\n\n/ /19\n\nForm 12 (Clause 31c)\n\nCommonwealth of Australia.\n\nORDER TO PAY AGENT.\n\n19\n\nTo the Paying Officer\n\n![](image.002.png)at the Offices of the Commonwealth of Australia, London.\n\n```html\n

I beg to request that you will pay to my agent

Signature of Person or Firm to whom Order is given.

(whose signature appears in the margin) or on his

indorsement, to the person producing this order, the sum of

pounds

Shillings and

pen

, being the amount of my account for

\n```\n\nSignature of Claimant\n\nANDREW FISHER,\n\nTreasurer.\n\nDepartment of the Treasury,\n\nMelbourne, January, 1913.\n\nPrinted and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Acting Government Printer for the State of Victoria.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"model":"kimi-k2.5","source":"moonshot-realtime","completionTokens":2387},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is the original 1913 instrument that established the London Account regulatory framework. While it supersedes earlier provisional regulations from 1908 and 1910-1911, it maintains the same core purpose of regulating Commonwealth financial operations in London without expanding beyond that original intent."},"complexity_factors":["57 clauses with extensive cross-referencing between sections (e.g., 'see clause 39')","12 prescribed forms with specific formatting requirements (Forms 1-12)","Strict role-based restrictions prohibiting certain staff combinations (Clause 16)","Detailed bookkeeping mandates requiring 4 separate record types (Ledger, Order Book, Register, Journal)","Multi-layered approval processes for payments involving certification, countersigning, and witnessing","Conditional procedural rules based on monetary thresholds (£50, £200, etc.)"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets a strict financial rulebook for how the Commonwealth manages funds in London: all payments route through the Official Secretary, duties are split among officers to prevent fraud, and money must be pre‑allocated into a London Trust Fund before spending. \n\nIt mandates detailed ledgers, twice‑monthly reconciliations, monthly reports to Melbourne, controls on cheques and bank accounts, prohibition on mixing private funds, and marine insurance—ensuring accountability for taxpayer money managed overseas."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/c1913l00059","history":"/api/acts/c1913l00059/history","analysis":"/api/acts/c1913l00059/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/c1913l00059/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/c1913l00059/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/c1913l00059/documents"}}