Five Steps to Writing a Business Check

Jessica Kent reports:

"Writing a business check is similar to writing a personal check. Always use a pen when writing business checks. Write all the information clearly on the check to ensure proper payment is made. You can also use your computer to print checks through common business software programs. Be aware that the company’s image is reflected in the type of check you choose to use. An attorney, for example, may not want to use checks with pre-printed cartoons as that choice would be more suitable for a toy store...Write the date at the top of the check. Use the date the check is being written, not a date in the future. If the check number is not pre-printed on the check, number the checks in the checkbook you are working with before writing any checks. Pre-numbered checks cut down on the issuing of duplicate check numbers and helps to keep track of any checks written...Write the name of the payee in the space provided. Use the entire name of the company...Indicate the amount the check is payable for in both words and numbers. Do not use abbreviations. The bank will use the two formats to ensure the check is being cashed for the proper amount. When discrepancies exist, banking errors can occur...Complete the memo portion of the check with pertinent information...Check with the company you are making a payment to and verify if the entire account number needs to be included on your check. For security reasons, some lenders allow you to put only the last four numbers of the account...Sign the check. Even if you are using a software program to write your checks, the check must still be signed in ink. Record the check information in your checkbook to make reconciling the bank account easier at the end of the month...Avoid writing checks payable to 'Cash.' If a check payable to cash is lost or stolen, anyone can endorse the check and cash it for the amount written. Similarly, do not sign checks that do not have both a payee and amount filled in. Signed checks are the same as cash."