Inspecting Authority and Account Office Roles - Postal Manual, Volume VI, Part III – Branch Office Rules

 1. Account Office (Typically a Sub Post Office or Head Post Office):

• Every Branch Post Office operates under the direct supervision of an Account Office.
• The Sub Postmaster or Head Postmaster of that Account Office is responsible for its oversight, including auditing accounts and managing official correspondence.

2. Inspecting Authority:

• As stipulated in the Branch Office Rules (Postal Manual, Volume VI & VII), every Branch Post Office must be formally inspected at least once per calendar year.
• These inspections are conducted by Inspectors of Post Offices (IPOs) or Assistant Superintendents of Post Offices (ASPOs), who operate under the authority of the Superintendent of Post Offices (SPOs).

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📜 Rule Reference

Postal Manual, Volume VI, Part III – Branch Office Rules

• Rule 153: “Every Branch Office should be inspected once in a calendar year by the Inspector or Assistant Superintendent of Post Offices.”
• Rule 154: “The Account Office shall also verify balances of cash and stamps in Branch Offices at least once every quarter.”