A cheque can be defined as a written order made by a current account holder (Drawer) to a bank. (Drawee)
The main features of a cheque            
• Date
• Name of bank and branch
• The name of payee
• The term “Or bearer”
• The amount of money in words and figures.
• The term “Pay”
• Signature of account holder
• Magnetic recognition strip (Cheque no: Bank no, Branch no, and Account no.)
The different parties involved in a cheque
• Current account holder (drawer)
• Payee
• Drawee/ Bank

Cheques can be catergorized as follows

• Bearer cheque

• Order cheque
Factors taken into consideration when writing a cheque

• Use indelible ink when writing a cheque

• Note the relevant details on counter foil.

• Draw one line across any mistake you make and place full signature of the drawer

• Sign correctly according to the specimen signature

• Write the correct date and use safety method.

• No blank cheques should be signed.
A Crossed cheque

It is a cheque where two parallel alines are drawn across its face or the name of a commercial bank is stated called a crossed cheque

• A cheque crossed for security

• There are 2 types of crossed cheques . They are general crossing and special crossing.

• A general crossed cheque is not negotiable or Two parallel lines drawn on the face of a cheque

A special crossed cheque  refers  to the name of a commercial  bank with or without the parallel lines.

An endorsement is where you write your name on the back of the cheque as it appears on the face of the cheque. The endorsement will be made in the following instances
• When it is deposited in the bank
• When a cheque is transferred to another person
• Non – crossed cheques – encased over the counter
• When a bank refuses payment for a cheque it is called dishonoring
The reasons for dishonoring a cheque
• Stop payment
• The death of the account holder and the bank has been informed.
• Insolvency/ bankruptcy
• Court order
• Wrongly written
• Insufficient funds