Final answer:
In a company's efforts to safeguard assets, the distribution of paychecks is usually the responsibility of the payroll department, while the custody of unclaimed paychecks should lie with the treasurer. This division of responsibilities creates a system of checks and balances to prevent misappropriation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of safeguarding of assets, different departments within a company have specific roles to ensure proper control and security of financial resources. The distribution and custody of paychecks are essential in preventing fraud and maintaining accurate records of financial transactions.
The correct responsibility for the distribution of paychecks generally lies with the payroll department. The payroll department is in charge of processing wage payments and ensuring that employees receive their paychecks accurately and on time. On the other hand, the custody of unclaimed paychecks should typically be with the treasurer. The treasurer, or the treasury department, is responsible for overseeing the management of the company's cash and ensuring that any unclaimed or undistributed funds are kept secure and properly accounted for.
Accordingly, the answer to the question is (b) payroll, treasurer. This framework of division of responsibilities ensures that there is a system of checks and balances, reducing the risk of misappropriation or theft of company assets.