FINANCE
30.05
Revised 12-09
Controller's Office
335-2013
Budget Office
335-9681
ACCOUNTS
University units track financial transactions by monitoring University accounts.
Code Components
Account codes are made up of several components which permit University personnel to precisely identify each financial transaction. These components are:
Fund
An accounting entity with self-balancing set of accounts for recording assets, liabilities, a fund balance, and changes in the fund balance. Separate accounts are maintained for each fund to ensure observance of limitations and restrictions placed on the use of the resource.
Appropriation
A legislative authorization to incur expenditures for specific purposes and limited as to time and amount from designated resources.
Subfund
A managerial division of a fund used to provide greater detail. In state-appropriated accounts, e.g., Fund 001, this may also be referred to as an appropriation.
Program/Subprogram
The various operating functions within the University (e.g., instruction, administration, and plant operation). See also 70.03.
Budget
The accounting level for an administrative unit within the institution.
Project
The accounting level for a unique activity within a subdivision or an administrative unit.
Example of a State Account
001-01-07S-2561-0002
001
Fund: State General Fund
01
Subfund: General University
07S
Program: Organized Activities Related to Education
2561
Budget: Veterinary Clinic Supervision
0002
Project: Small Animal Hospital
Example of a Sponsored Account
145-01-11V-2452-0066
145
Fund: Grants and Contracts
01
Appropriation: Federal
11V
Program/Sub-Program: Federally Sponsored Research
2452
Budget: Chemistry
0066
Project: NSF Grant No. GP-9252
ESTABLISHING ACCOUNTS
New accounts are established to classify and track revenue and expenditures.
Only departmental personnel with expenditure authority may approve expenditures from a given account. The department completes and submits Expenditure Authority Delegation forms to make changes to authorized signatures. See 70.02.
Programs 01-10
Educational and general accounting programs
Budgets
Usually new budgets are established at the beginning of the biennium or when new functions are authorized by a special legislative session. In these cases, the Budget Office advises the administrative unit and Controller's Office of the account.
If an administrative unit identifies the need for a new budget component of the account code, the dean or equivalent area administrator directs a memorandum to the Budget Office. The request outlines the circumstances which require the new budget code, suggests a budget title, and identifies the source of the funds, and the nature of the proposed expenditures.
- The Budget Office evaluates the request in terms of the proposed types of expenditures and sources of revenue. If the request is approved, a program-budget code is assigned to reflect the appropriate classification. The Budget Office notifies the Controller's Office and the new budget is entered into the accounting system.
The Budget Office advises the administrative unit as to the disposition of the request for a new budget coding.
- If the new account requires an allocation of funds or a transfer of funds to the account, the dean or equivalent area administrator sends a memorandum to the Budget Office indicating the amount and source of funds. The Budget Office prepares a budget journal voucher to allocate the funds. The Budget Office sends copy of the budget journal voucher to the requesting administrator.
NOTE: For accounts in Fund 148-01, the area administrator sends a memorandum to the Controller's Office requesting a revenue transfer to fund the new account.
Projects
Departments may establish projects within a budget as necessary for the administration and management of the unit.
Administrators must provide the following information to the Controller’s Office:
- Budget,
- Project title,
- Purpose,
- Objects required, and
- Source of funds.
The Controller's Office is available to assist an administrative unit in establishing new projects.
Programs 11-14
Sponsored programs
As the University is awarded grants or contracts for projects with specified objectives, the Sponsored Programs Services assigns and approves account codes. See 40.04.
Programs 15-33
Auxiliary enterprise, service funds, trust or agency funds or similar accounts
Sources of revenue for these miscellaneous major activities vary. The revenue source usually determines the kind of account and the responsible administrative unit.
The General Accounting Section of the Controller's Office works with the administrative units to establish and control these accounts.
The Executive Director, Business Services/Controller approves the establishment of new accounts. The appropriate unit routes the approval request to the Controller's Office. This request may be a Service Center Application (see 30.15), a Special Course Fee Request (see 30.95), or a memorandum if requesting a different type of account. The request must include the budget number of the requesting administrative unit, the source of funds, and planned expenditures.
Discretionary Accounts
Discretionary accounts (scholarship and development) supported by private donations are established through the Finance and Gift Accounting section of the WSU Foundation; telephone 335-1686. See 30.70.
RSO Accounts
WSU Pullman registered student organization (RSO) accounts are established through the Financial Services Office located in Compton Union Building 60; telephone 335-1085.
RSO accounts at the regional campuses are maintained by the following offices:
- WSU Spokane Student Affairs; room Academic Center Suite 130; telephone 509-358-7526.
- WSU Tri-Cities Office of Student Affairs; room West 201B; telephone 509-372-7139.
- WSU Vancouver Office of Student Involvement; room VFSC 123; telephone 360-546-9530.
Scholarship Accounts
Scholarships with recipient selected by donor are processed by the Student Accounts Section of University Receivables, Controller's Office.
Service Center Accounts
Service center accounts are administered by the Controller's Office. See 30.15.
Special Fee Accounts
Service fee (student) and special course fee accounts are administered by the Student Accounts Section of University Receivables, Controller's Office. See also 30.95.
Other Accounts
Other miscellaneous major activity accounts are established and coordinated by the General Accounting Section of the Controller's Office. Examples include Auxiliary Enterprise Funds (e.g., Housing and Dining Services, ASWSU and Athletics), and Suspense and Clearing Accounts (e.g., employee withholdings).
Programs 34 and Above
Capital Outlay Projects
Major Capital Projects
The Controller's Office, the Budget Office, and the Office of Capital Planning and Development coordinate to establish major capital project codes.
Minor Capital Improvements
Facilities Operations interacts with the Budget Office and Controller's Office to establish minor capital improvement accounts.
Miscellaneous Revolving Funds
The Budget Office and the Controller's Office interact to establish these account codes.
CHANGING ACCOUNT TITLES
Titles Reflect Activity
Account titles are to reflect the associated financial activity. An account title may be updated periodically if the update does not infer a different financial activity. Establish a new account if a different financial activity exists.
Title Limits
A full account title is made up of a budget title and a project title.
Each budget title may not exceed 45 characters. Each project title may not exceed 45 characters.
Budget Titles
Budgets are usually titled after the departments they service, e.g., Veterinary Clinic. An area administrator may change a budget title within his or her area by submitting a memorandum to the Budget Office.
Project Titles
Projects are usually titled after departmental subunits, e.g., Small Animal Hospital, or activities, e.g., Visiting Speakers. An area administrator or department head may change a project title under his or her control by submitting a memorandum to the Controller's Office.
TERMINATING ACCOUNTS
Terminating Budget Number
Notify the Budget Office when a budget number is no longer required or utilized. The Budget Office notifies the General Accounting Section of the Controller's Office of the change.
NOTE: Notify University service centers (e.g., University Stores, University Publishing, etc.) to cancel any service center requisition numbers (blanket orders) associated with the terminated project.
Used Budget/Project Numbers
Those budget and project numbers which have been previously assigned and terminated may not be used again for a period of four years.