Step by Step

Voiding a Check

Policy and Principles

If a check has been printed but not given to the payee, there is no need to request a stop payment if there is a problem with the check. If the check is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was printed, void the check in MLS.

Note: If the check is lost, stolen, canceled, or no longer in your possession, contact your administrative office immediately to stop payment on the check. See “Stopping Payments.”

Watch

Procedures

If you make a mistake printing a check or there is some other problem with the check, you need to void the check. Do not shred or tear the check up and throw it away.

Cut the signatures out of the printed check, and destroy the piece containing the signatures. Keep the rest of the check and check stub with the expense documents for that expense batch. You will need this for the auditors. Keep it for three years plus the current year in the United States or five years plus the current year in Canada. For other countries, follow guidelines from the assigned administrative office.

Void the check in LCR by doing the following:

  1. On the LCR menu bar, click Finance.
  2. Click View/Update Expenses.
  3. Click the link for the check number you need to void. Note: If the check number is not listed in LCR, no further action is needed.
  4. Click Void.
  5. A window appears listing the reasons for which you may void the check. Click Continue.
  6. Enter the reason you are voiding the check. Click OK.

Voided checks appear on the View/Update Expenses screen with three asterisks (***) before the reference number.