Normally, the Organization has an FAO Imprest Bank Account to allow the Country Office to disburse funds in local currency and/or US dollars. Please note that only the FAO Director of Finance and Treasurer is authorized to open, make changes and close an FAO Imprest Account.

An FAO Imprest Account must have an Imprest Holder who is an FAO professional staff member. Requests for opening Imprest Accounts are submitted by the budget holder (either the FAO Representative, Sub Regional Coordinator, Director of Liaison Office or other Head of Decentralized Office) to CSF for review.

A signatory is any person who can operate a bank account i.e. sign cheques or draw money from the Imprest Account.

There are two preferred signatory panels:

• Panel A - professional staff
• Panel B - general service staff

In addition to the Imprest Holder, at least one additional signatory from the FAO Representation shall be appointed, as joint signatory. OSD recommends a Panel of Signatories that includes enough people to provide the necessary administrative services if the imprest holder or head of office is not available (usually from 4 to 6 signatories)

Joint signatories are required on all FAO bank accounts.  Additionally, all payments should be approved by two people listed on the signatory panels.  At least one of the individuals should be from panel A (A+A or A+B).

Should there be insufficient FAO Staff, than on an exceptional basis, the following persons will be considered to act as a signatories provided that the co-signer is an FAO professional staff member:

• A government employee. Approval is required from the Director, CSF. In addition, the requesting officer will obtain from the government an appropriate guarantee.
• A staff member of a UN Organization. Approval is required from the Director, CSF.

It is the responsibility of the Imprest Holder to submit signatory request through the Panel of Signatories module in COIN to the Regional Office for review. Following approval, action is taken by CSF.