Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: Second Term
Week: 3
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Store Management
Curriculum Theme: Financial Management
Previous Lesson: Risk Management: Meaning, Classification and Methods.
Topic: Introduction to Imprest system.
Subject Matter: Meaning of imprest system, characteristics of imprest system, items under imprest system, preparation of imprest account.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define imprest system.
State the characteristics of an imprest system.
List common items managed under the imprest system.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of the imprest system in managing small expenses.
Participate actively in class discussions on the imprest system.

Psychomotor Domain:

Prepare a simple imprest account.

Collaborate with peers to understand and solve problems related to imprest accounting.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Store Management for Senior Secondary Schools by Adewale & Sons

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Cardboard sheet with imprest format
Whiteboard and markers
Textbooks

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand how organizations manage small, recurring expenses effectively. It enables them to grasp a practical financial system used in many businesses and prepares them for future roles in store management or accounting.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have a basic understanding of cash transactions and record-keeping.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Imprest System

Meaning of Imprest System

The imprest system is a fixed cash system used for managing small, recurring expenses within an organization. A fixed amount of money (the ‘float’) is given to a petty cashier. When expenses are incurred, the cashier pays from this float. At regular intervals or when the cash runs low, the cashier submits an account of expenses and is reimbursed for the exact amount spent, bringing the cash float back to its original fixed amount.

Characteristics of Imprest System

The following are characteristics of an imprest system:

A fixed amount of money (float) is initially issued to the petty cashier.
The petty cashier makes payments for small expenses from this float.
Expenses are supported by vouchers or receipts.
At the end of a period or when cash is almost exhausted, the cashier submits an account of expenses.
The cashier is reimbursed for the exact amount spent, restoring the float to its original fixed sum.
It prevents large sums of cash from being held by junior staff.

Items under Imprest System

The following are common items managed under the imprest system:

Stationery (pens, paper, staples)
Postage and courier services
Transport fares (e.g., bus fares for errands)
Minor office supplies (e.g., cleaning materials)
Refreshments for visitors
Small repairs and maintenance
Newspaper and magazine subscriptions

Preparation of Imprest Account

An imprest account, often kept in a petty cash book, records all transactions. The goal is to track expenses and ensure the float is replenished to its original amount.

Example: A petty cashier is given an imprest float of N10,000. During the week, the following expenses were incurred:

Monday: Transport N1,500
Tuesday: Stationery N2,000
Wednesday: Refreshments N1,000
Thursday: Postage N500

Steps to Prepare the Imprest Account:

Step 1: Record the initial float.

Step 2: Record all expenses.

Step 3: Calculate the total expenses and balance remaining.

Total Expenses = N1,500 + N2,000 + N1,000 + N500 = N5,000

Cash Remaining = Initial Float – Total Expenses
Cash Remaining = N10,000 – N5,000 = N5,000

Step 4: Request reimbursement.

The petty cashier requests N5,000 (the total amount spent) from the main cashier to restore the float to N10,000.

Petty Cash Book
Date | Particulars | Cash Received (N) | Transport (N) | Stationery (N) | Refreshments (N) | Postage (N) | Total Paid (N)
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | —
[Start Date] | Cash from Main Cashier | 10,000 | | | | |
Monday | Transport | | 1,500 | | | | 1,500
Tuesday | Stationery | | | 2,000 | | | 2,000
Wednesday | Refreshments | | | | 1,000 | | 1,000
Thursday | Postage | | | | | 500 | 500
| Total Payments | | 1,500 | 2,000 | 1,000 | 500 | 5,000
| Balance C/D | | | | | | 5,000
| | 10,000 | | | | | 10,000
[End Date] | Cash from Main Cashier | 5,000 | | | | |
[Next Period] | Balance B/D | | | | | | 5,000

Note: The “Cash Received” column will show the initial float and subsequent reimbursements. The “Total Paid” column will sum up the individual expense categories for each period.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them how small, everyday expenses are handled in their homes or school. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Introduction to Imprest System.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions and listen attentively.
Learning Point: Pupils relate daily experiences to the concept of managing small cash and are introduced to the lesson topic.

Step 2: Meaning of Imprest System

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of the imprest system, emphasizing the concept of a fixed float and reimbursement. The teacher uses simple examples to clarify.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions, and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definition of an imprest system.

Step 3: Characteristics of Imprest System

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Listing/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the key characteristics of the imprest system, such as the fixed amount, use of vouchers, and periodic reimbursement. The teacher encourages pupils to identify these characteristics.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion and note down the characteristics.
Learning Point: Pupils can state the main features of an imprest system.

Step 4: Items under Imprest System

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Brainstorming
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to brainstorm common small expenses that would typically be handled by an imprest system in an office or store. The teacher then lists and explains additional common items.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils suggest items and copy the complete list.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify various expenses suitable for an imprest system.

Step 5: Preparation of Imprest Account

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses the cardboard sheet with the imprest format to demonstrate how to prepare a simple imprest account using the example provided in the lesson content. The teacher explains each step clearly.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration, ask clarifying questions, and try to follow the process.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the practical steps involved in preparing an imprest account.

Step 6: Practice and Application

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides a short, simple problem for pupils to try preparing a portion of an imprest account in their notebooks. The teacher walks around to provide assistance.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to solve the practice problem.
Learning Point: Pupils apply their knowledge to a practical scenario.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

What is an imprest system?
State three characteristics of an imprest system.
Mention four items that can be paid for using an imprest system.
If a petty cashier receives N7,000 as float and spends N2,500, how much will be reimbursed to restore the float?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the definition, characteristics, and importance of the imprest system. The teacher assigns homework: “List five advantages of using an imprest system in a business.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding and prepare for further learning.

Lesson Keywords

Imprest System – A fixed cash system for managing small expenses.
Petty Cash – The small amount of cash kept on hand by a business for minor purchases.
Float – The fixed amount of money initially issued to the petty cashier.
Reimbursement – The act of paying back money spent by an individual or organization.
Voucher – A document showing that a payment has been made or authorized.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, the teacher can provide an additional, more complex imprest account scenario with multiple expense categories and a longer period. For pupils needing more support, the teacher can provide a partially filled imprest account to complete or work through another example step-by-step with them individually or in small groups.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that pupils understand the practical application of the imprest system by relating it to everyday scenarios. Emphasize the importance of documentation (vouchers) in maintaining accountability. Encourage pupils to practice preparing simple imprest accounts to build their confidence and understanding.