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New UVM Policies and Procedures Affecting Grants: Advance Accounts, Cost Transfer, and Residual Balance
Sponsored Projects Training ProgramDecember 8th, 2011
Beverly Blakeney, Ruth Farrell, Michael Meunier
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Welcome
An introduction to the presenters and the topics.
Time line and next steps for implementation of these policies and procedures.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Learning Objectives
Increase awareness of upcoming changes in cost transfer policy and two new, separate procedures that will soon be in place.
Help participants understand new operational practices that they will have to plan for.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Reminder – the Cost Principles
AllocableAllowableReasonableConsistently charged
Advance Account Procedure a.k.a Guaranteed Funding
Advance Account – What?Creation of a sponsored project
chart string before an award document is received or accepted from the sponsor
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Advance Account – Why?Need to start the workAllows PIs and Departments to
record and track expenditures in appropriate chart string
Reduces salary and non-salary cost transfers
Eliminates re-work for principal investigators, department administrators, and staff in central offices Sponsored Projects Training
Program
Evaluating RiskWritten confirmation from
sponsorSponsor’s history with UVMNegotiation risks
Sponsored Projects Training Program
What needs to be in place? –How?Department or unit must assume
riskWritten confirmation from
sponsorProposal must be fully routed and
approvedRegulatory requirements must be
satisfied◦IACUC, IRB, IBC, COI
Competed request formModified budget (optional)
Sponsored Projects Training Program
LimitationsRequest 90-180 daysCan limit dollar amountAny limitations of the sponsor
Sponsored Projects Training Program
ResponsibilitiesPI – initiating request, collecting
required documents, spending within the constraints of AA
Unit – submit request, assumes fiscal risks, monitors, ensures expenses and encumbrances conform to advance account duration
VP or Dean of unit – assumes financial risk
SPA – advise on potential risk, confirm all regulatory approvals are obtained, approve AA and establish chart string, provide training
Sponsored Projects Training Program
What happens next?Award received and acceptedSPA completes the set up processBilling can occurOr – no award is received charges
need to be moved
Sponsored Projects Training Program
ResourcesMonthly reportPS Query
◦UV_GM_FINDINGAWDTHRUREFAWD◦ It can be run on an ad hoc basis, by
department number, award number, reference award number or wide open using wildcards. The search fields are not case sensitive.
◦Can be used to locate an award if you only know the sponsor's award number
◦Can be run at any time to identify all advance accounts by department or for the whole university
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Questions?.
Cost Transfers Involving Sponsored Agreements Policy
- Revision Update -
Michael MeunierCost Accounting Services
(CAS)1:30-2:30Memorial LoungeDecember 8, 2011
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Cost Transfer Policy Topics
Policy Review Process
Cost Transfers at UVM
Key Policy Changes
Cost Transfer Form
Policy current status: Campus wide policy comments on this policy
are currently being considered.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Cost Transfer Definition
A cost transfer is the assignment of an expense to a sponsored agreement that was initially recorded elsewhere in the University’s general ledger.
◦ Removal of an expense from a sponsored agreement to a non-sponsored chart string will continue to require an explanation and appropriate approvals.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Cost Transfer Policy – Review Process
Profiled university cost transfer activity
Reviewed Grant Lifecycle Committee Report (August 2009)
Benchmarked other University policies/procedures
Analyzed key sponsor specific regulations ◦ HHS, NIH, NSF, Federal Formula grants
Reviewed external audit reports and recommendations
Solicited feedback from Academic Business Managers
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Cost Transfers at UVM
UVM has significantly more cost transfers, particularly late cost transfers, than similar Universities
• Allowability concerns (red flag to auditors)
• Inefficient use of University resources
• Fiscal management of sponsored agreements
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Cost Transfer Policy – Key Changes
Accountability statement
Minimizing cost transfers
Timeliness
Approvals
Unallowable Expense Transfer Authority
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Key Policy Changes - Accountability
All University personnel are expected to be aware of and comply with this University policy and the principles and requirements listed below.
Confirmed violations will result in disciplinary action. In some instances, civil claims and criminal charges may also result.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Key Policy Changes – Minimizing Cost Transfers
• Charge only allowable expenses to sponsored agreements
• Utilize advance accounts
• Minimize posting expenses to department suspense
• Quarterly meetings with PIs (Effort, Non-salary expenses)
• Submit timely and relevant salary distribution changes
• Reallocate PurCard expenses within University deadlines
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Key Policy Changes – Timeliness
1) Identifying errors in a timely manner • Monthly verification of financial transactions (PMBR)• Department Suspense Review
2) Timely Cost transfer Submissions • < 90 days after original accounting date (GL)• Salary transfers included (no more 30 day grace
period)• Department submission date is official submission
date
Note: NIH only allows cost transfers within 90 days after the error was discovered.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Key Policy Changes – Justification / Documentation
Justification
• Detailed explanation• Independent reviewer understanding• Subject to audit (No email threads!)
Supporting Documentation• Current Salary Distribution Form• Original Additional Pay Voucher (APV)• Project monthly budget report (non-salary
xfers)• List of business meal attendees• Certified Effort Report w/ changes
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Key Policy Changes – Untimely Submissions
Untimely Cost Transfer Submission (> 90 days)
◦ Original General Ledger accounting date◦ Cost transfer requests > 90 days after the error
is discovered is unallowable (NIH policy)
Additional Written Justification Required
◦ Lateness◦ Extenuating circumstances◦ Corrective action to prevent future occurrences
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Key Policy Changes – Required Approvals
Department Approval• No one person has complete control over all
aspects of the cost transfer submission (Preparer, Approver)
Timely Cost Transfer Central Office (< 90 days)
• Cost Accounting Services (CAS) Salary/Wages
• Sponsored Project Administration (SPA) Non-Payroll
Untimely Cost Transfer Request (> 90 days)
• Principal Investigator signature is required• Vice President signature is required
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Key Policy Changes – Transfer Authority of Unallowable
Expenses
Non-Payroll Expenses• SPA has authority to transfer expenses to
department general fund account
Uncertified Payroll Charges• CAS has authority to transfer non-certified payroll
expenses to the employee’s home department general fund chart string.
Note: Sponsored Projects Expense Transfer policy will be eliminated.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Cost Transfer Procedure & Form
Required for all cost transfer submissions
• Salary Distribution Changes• Additional Pay Vouchers • Wage Transfers• Non-Payroll cost transfers (email form to
SPA)
Cost Transfer Procedure/Form
• Standard Form• Salary Distribution Form
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Cost Transfer Forms
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Cost Transfer Policy Summary - Key Changes -
Minimize cost transfers (Advance accounts, Prospective payroll distribution changes, timely
PurCard transactions)
Timeliness (< 90 days)
(Monthly PMBR review, Sufficient justification)
Untimely Cost Transfers ( > 90 days)
(Additional justification and approvals, Corrective action)
Cost transfer procedures/form (Updated, standardized)
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Cost Transfer Policy Changes- Questions/Feedback -
Residual Balance Procedure
What is a residual balance?Residual balance: For fixed-
price agreements only, this is the term for any funds remaining after all charges have been incurred to complete the project and all project activities are complete.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Current practiceResidual balances remain in
sponsored project restricted chart string.
Project end-date is recorded as “indefinite.”
P.I. continues to expend funds for additional research.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Current practice issuesDoesn't recognize the unrestricted
nature of these funds.Cost considerations, such as
required effort and sponsor allowable costs are no longer applicable.
If federal, remains on Schedule of Federal Awards and subject to audit.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
New procedure for residual balances
Residual balances remaining at the conclusion of sponsored project funded by a fixed price agreement, less appropriate Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs, will be transferred to an unrestricted chart-string for the Principal Investigator’s use.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Conditions for transferring residual balances to department accounts
All deliverables have been received and accepted by the sponsor.
All costs for the project have been posted to the project’s chart-string.
All payments for the project have been received from the sponsor.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Conditions for transferring residual balances to department accounts
The residual balance must be more than $200 direct.
If the residual direct cost balance is greater than 20% of the direct costs awarded, an explanation detailing why the actual direct costs were substantially less than anticipated is required.
If the residual direct cost balance is more than $5,000, the intended use must be described.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Process SPA staff will follow the standard
award closeout procedures for all awards within 90 days of end-date.
For balances greater than $200, SPA will contact the Principal Investigator and academic unit administrator for a residual funds chart-string request form.
Once all conditions have been met, SPA will transfer direct funds to unrestricted account.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
Re-CapDirect cost residual funds on fixed-
price agreements will be transferred to unrestricted chart string for PI use.
Certain conditions have to be in place for this to occur (project complete, all expenses posted, large balances analyzed).
SPA will request the completion of a request form during close-out if funds remain.
Sponsored Projects Training Program
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Questions??
Sponsored Projects Training Program
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