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PCard Program Information Purchasing Card
 

 

 
 

Contents

     PCard Use and Restricted Items  >>

Use Of The Purchasing Card

PCard General Guidelines Card

PCard Misuse Policy and Pyramiding Policy

Characteristics of the Purchasing Card

Restrictions/Non-Allowable Expenditures

Strategic Alliances and University-Wide Contracts

Join the PCard Program >>

Criteria for Departmental Participation

Getting Started  

Card Management >>

Purchasing Cardholder Application and Management

Delegation or Assignment

Assignment of FRS Account Numbers

Spending Limits

Purchasing Card Security

Activating The Card

Card Renewal

Canceling A Card    

Placing an Order  >>

Transaction Flow

Placing Phone Orders

Sales Tax Information And Itemized Invoices

Customer Numbers

Delivery Instructions

Billing Address Information

Damaged Goods/Disputed Charges

Help For Vendor Problems when Placing Phone Orders

How to Make Changes  >>

Liason

Reconciler and/or Approver

Cardholder Changes

Allowable FRS Accounts

Allowable Object Codes

Roles and Responsibilities   >>

          Merchants

          JP Morgan Chase Bank   

          Financial Service Office/Accounts Payable   

          Purchasing   

          Purchasing Card Program Administrator   

          Department Head   

          Department Purchasing Card Liaison   

          Department Approver   

          Department Reconciler   

          Cardholder

 

PCard Use and Restricted Items  

Use Of The Purchasing Card

The Purchasing Card may be used wherever Visa is accepted, following University Purchasing policy and procedures.This convenient purchasing tool may be used directly at a storefront or for orders via the phone, fax or online.Suggested uses include operating supplies, lab equipment, computer equipment, conference registration fees, professional memberships and dues; as well as non-contracted services such as cell phone bills and equipment repair.The Purchasing Card is to be used for University of Arizona business only, not for personal use.  All transactions made using the Purchasing Card must benefit and support the University’s mission of education, research and public service.Fraudulent or intentional miss-use of the card will result in cancellation of the card and/or possible criminal charges.

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PCard General Guidelines Card

This wallet sized card provides a partial list of allowable and unallowable purchases on the PCard. JPMorgan Chase and PCard contact information is also listed.

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Purchasing Card Misuse Policy and Pyramiding Policy

In accordance with the University of Arizona policy for the Misuse of University Assets, the following guidelines have been established for reporting misuse specifically through the Purchasing Card program.

Suspected misuse of University assets through the Purchasing Card Program should immediately be reported to the Purchasing Card Administrator, Purchasing Card Program Manager or Purchasing Director.

The Purchasing designate who receives the notification will in turn contact the Senior Vice President for Business Affairs, as well as the credit card bank, JPMorgan Chase, to initiate a claim in the Visa Liability Waiver Program.

Following the University of Arizona Misuse of Assets policy, the Senior VP for Business Affairs will determine the appropriate course of action, which may include an investigation by Internal Audit, and/or the University Police Department.

These guidelines are established for reporting University Employee Misuse of a University Purchasing Card, and do not apply to non-employee fraud, such as lost/stolen cards. Non-employee fraud should continue to be reported to the PCard Administrator and the credit card bank, JPMorgan Chase.

The University of Arizona Policy on Employee Misuse of Assets:
http://web.arizona.edu/~policy/misuse.pdf.


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Pyramiding, or fragmenting, is making a purchase greater than $5,000 and paying for the item(s) in separate payments of less than $5,000 over an interval of time.  Individual purchases to any merchant may not exceed $5000.   Intentional fragmenting of a purchase may result in civil or criminal penalties under the Arizona Board of Regents Procurement Policy and/or cancellation of the Purchasing Card.  For more information, go to: http://pacs.web.arizona.edu/pacs_home.html.

Characteristics of the Purchasing Card

 

  • The University of Arizona Individual Purchasing Card is a J P Morgan Chase Visa card issued to an individual employee. The Department name appears on the card under the cardholder name for reference.  Individual Purchasing Cards are nontransferable and non-assignable and remain the property of the University of Arizona and J P Morgan Chase.
  • The University of Arizona Departmental Purchasing Card is a J P Morgan Chase Visa card issued to a University department.  The University’s name appears on the card under the Department name for reference.  Departmental Purchasing Cards are transferable and assignable and remain the property of the University of Arizona and J P Morgan Chase.
  • Each Purchasing Card is assigned a default FRS account number and object code. The FRS account number and object code may be changed at any time.  To change or split fund an account number or to change an object code on a single transaction, the cardholder must notify their reconciler when documentation is handed in for each transaction. 
  • Purchasing offers three Purchasing Card Programs for Individual or Departmental PCards: the Classic PCard Program, the Travel Enhancement Program and the PCard Plus Program. Each PCard may be set up with a combination of these programs.

 

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Restrictions / Non-Allowable Expenditures

Policy Restrictions by Program:

 

Expenditure Category

Classic PCard Program

Travel Enhancement Option

PCard Plus Enhancement Option

Alcohol

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Airfare / Primary Mode Transportation

Not Allowed

Allowable (4)

Not Allowed

Animals

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Business Meetings / Business Entertainment

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Allowable

Cash advances / Wire transfers / Money orders

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Conflict of interest vendors

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

eBay or PayPal (if used in conjunction with eBay)     

Allowable(1)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Employee Service & Achievement Awards

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Allowable

Firearms or ammunition 

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Flowers / Decorations

Restricted (2)

Not Allowed

Allowable (2)

Food

Restricted (3)

Not Allowed

Allowable 

Foreign Visitors  (Non-Resident Alien)
(Payments to or on behalf of a foreign visitor; including travel related expenditures such as airfare, shuttle, train, etc.)

Not Allowed 

Not Allowed 

Not Allowed

Gifts / Donations

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Not Allowed 

Hazardous Materials
(Hazardous materials are defined as radioactive materials, compressed gas, bulk ethyl alcohol and DEA licensed materials, including prescription drugs)

Not Allowed 

Not Allowed 

Not Allowed 

Hotels

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Payments to Individuals  Refer to FSO Policy 9.12

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Medical Services 
(Medical Services are defined as expenses related to medical care or services.)

Not Allowed 

Not Allowed 

Not Allowed 

Pre-paid Cards including Gift Cards and Phone Cards

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Purchases over $5,000

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Relocation / Moving Expenses for Employees

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Not Allowed

Rental Vehicles/Gasoline

Not Allowed

Allowable (5)

Not Allowed 

NOTES:

(1)   Purchasing cardholder must identify the seller on eBay before making a purchase through eBay or PayPal (if used in conjunction with eBay).  Seller info must be printed from eBay or PayPal if complete, or an email response from seller, which includes: full name and complete address (including state / country) must be printed and attached to the itemized invoice. Purchasing cardholder agrees to review the “seller information page” in eBay before making a purchase. If the seller information page reflects a negative / problem seller, or if the seller refuses to identify the necessary information required, the cardholder agrees NOT to bid on or purchase the item(s) in question

(2) Flowers / Decorations are restricted where no business is conducted nor business objectives present (for example, a life event such as a birthday or memorial service, a holiday related party or employee social function).

(3) Food for research, animal feed, water for research, food for patients (i.e. snacks for patients after blood draws), food for training (nutritional research or classroom use) is currently allowed on the PCard without the PCard Plus Enhancement Option.

(4) Airfare and Primary transportation (shuttle, bus, train, taxi) may be purchased for employees or on behalf of non-employee; non-employee being defined as a seminar / conference speaker, visiting expert, an unpaid employee, a candidate being interviewed for an open position (recruitment) or a student.  Non-employees must be a US Citizen and not a foreign visitor (non-resident alien) to use the PCard.   

(5) Purchasing Rental vehicles or gasoline on behalf of a non-employee is Not allowed; Purchasing gasoline for a personal vehicle is Not allowed on the PCard; even if used while on University Business.

 

  Join the PCard Program

Criteria for Departmental Participation  

In order to participate in the University of Arizona Purchasing Card program, each department/unit must be able to give "yes" answers to the following questions:

  1. Will your unit be able to insure that rules and regulations governing the use and protection of the Purchasing Card will be followed? These concerns stem from the fact that the Purchasing Card is not a personal credit card, thus is not protected from fraudulent use in case of loss or theft or misappropriation of the account number unless JP Morgan Chase is notified by the end of the month following the month in which fraudulent charges occurred.
  2. Will your Department Head or equivalent administrator empower one of your employees to act as a Purchasing Card Liaison for purposes of reporting Purchasing Card policy violations or any other misuse of the card? This employee will need top level authorization and on-going support.
  3. Will the Department Head take immediate, appropriate action upon learning of card misuse? Cards can be suspended temporarily, individual and monthly purchase limits can be lowered, or cards can be canceled, based on the degree of misuse. Notify the Program Administrator immediately.
  4. Do you have staff that can provide prompt, reliable reconciliation and approval of Purchasing Card transactions?  Both primary and backup Reconcilers and Approvers should be identified within your unit. NOTE: Reconcilers may be cardholders, and may reconcile or approve their own transactions, but not both. If the Approver in a department must also be a cardholder, another person must function as the Reconciler or Approver for their transactions.
  5. Will your department be able to establish a system for handling and archiving purchase documentation, including order forms, receipts, invoices, packing lists, etc. Note: The department is solely responsible for maintaining detailed documentation for audit purposes.
  6. Do the Reconciler and Approver have the computer hardware necessary to run the JP Morgan Chase PaymentNet Web Site required for this program?  Each Reconciler and Approver will need a computer for this purpose.

In order to run PaymentNet effectively, we recommend the following:

· An Internet browser that supports SSL (Secure Sockets Layers). We recommend Internet Explorer 4.01 SP2 or greater, as well as Netscape 4.7 or greater. · Screen resolution of 800 x 600 or greater is recommended. · Access to the Internet.

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 Getting Started

When your unit meets the criteria described above, here are the steps for getting started. (If your unit wants to participate even though it does not have sufficient staff to provide for a Reconciler, an Approver and backups for them, contact the Purchasing Card Program Administrator).

Step 1

Submit a New Department Application.   This includes determining whom the Liaison between your cardholders and the PCard Program Department will be. The Department Head or equivalent administrator must sign and authorize their department to join the PCard Program.  New Department Applications should be mailed to the PCard Program Coordinator.

Step 2

Assign Reconciler and Approver roles (including backups) to department employees. .

Step 3

A.  Identify department members that are to be cardholders and submit applications.  Complete an Individual Purchasing Card Application for each employee.  Fill out all fields, click on the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the screen, print the resulting form and get it signed by the cardholder, liaison and department head.  New applications should be mailed to the PCard Program Coordinator.

B.  If requesting a Department Card, identify the responsible person who will administer the card.  Complete a Departmental Purchasing Card Application for a card in the name of the department to be held in the business office. Fill out all fields, click on the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the screen, print the resulting form and get it signed by the responsible person, liaison and department head.  New applications should be mailed to the PCard Program Coordinator.

Step 4

Set up a system for handling and archiving purchase documentation, including order forms, receipts, invoices, packing lists, etc. Remember: The department is solely responsible for maintaining detailed documentation for audit purposes.

Step 5

Identify potential cardholders by applying the following criteria:

  • An employee of the University of Arizona. Responsible and reliable in following the policies concerning the use and protection of the card. The majority of potential purchases are suitable for Purchasing Card use.
  • Will be responsible and reliable in timely submission of order information, invoices, receipts, etc. to the Reconciler.

Consider the possibility of requesting a Purchasing Card for a centrally located employee to place orders for those who might need to make these kinds of purchases only infrequently.

Step 6

The University of Arizona and the departments are responsible for determining credit card transaction limits for each cardholder. The University has set the maximum limit for single transactions at $5,000. Any department may set a lower limit for individual transactions for any cardholder or departmental card. Cardholders within a department may have various limits, determined by the department's needs. 

Departments must also set a dollar limit per cycle (month) for each cardholder or departmental card. It is recommended that the lowest limits practical be set to minimize risk.  Departments must set limits on each cardholder's or departmental card’s number of transactions per day and number of transactions per cycle.  Should a cardholder or department wish to increase or decrease any of these limits after they have been set, they should confer with their supervisor and the Department Purchasing Card Liaison. The Liaison will send a Change Form to the Program Coordinator to make approved changes.

Limit changes may be made at any time and as often as required.

Step 7

After the cards are ready, the PCard Program Coordinator will contact the Liaison to set up software training for Reconcilers and Approvers and training for cardholders.


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Card Management

Purchasing Cardholder Application and Management

  The cardholder must complete and sign the Individual Purchasing Card Application including the Purchasing Cardholder Agreement. This application establishes the default FRS account for each cardholder, the cardholder's purchase limit and identifies the Reconciler and Approver for each cardholder. By signing the Purchasing Cardholder Agreement, the cardholder agrees to comply with the following terms and conditions:

  • Guidelines in the University of Arizona's Procurement Policies and Procedures Manual
  • Notify the proper authorities if the card is lost or stolen

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Delegation or Assignment

  Individual Purchasing Cards MAY NOT be delegated or assigned to others. Departmental Purchasing Cards MAY be delegated or assigned to others.  A responsible cardholder of department cards must authorize use of the card for each transaction.  Responsibility for the card should be transferred or the card temporarily suspended during the absence of a responsible cardholder (i.e.  Sabbatical leave, vacation, extended illness, etc.)

All Purchasing Cards are the property of The University of Arizona and JP Morgan Chase.

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Assignment of FRS Account Numbers

  During the Purchasing Card application process, each Purchasing Card is assigned a default FRS account number. Transactions that are not reconciled and approved by the department within ten business days after they appear in the PCard software will automatically be charged to the default FRS account numbers. If reconciled before the end of the tenth working day, the FRS account may be changed to any account within the department. Object codes may also be changed.

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Spending Limits

  The University of Arizona and the department determine the Purchasing Card spending limits.

The department sets a per transaction limit of $5,000 or less for each card. They also set monthly dollar limit, a daily transaction limit and a monthly transaction limit (the University of Arizona's cycle ends on the sixth of each month). It is recommended that the lowest limit practical be set to minimize risk. Should a cardholder wish to increase or decrease any of these limits after they have been set, they should confer with their supervisor and the Department Purchasing Card Liaison. The Liaison will send a Change form to the Program Administrator to effect approved changes. Transactions greater than $5,000 are blocked on the PCard and will be denied at the point of sale.

 

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Purchasing Card Security

  Cards must be diligently safeguarded. Each cardholder must know where his/her card is at all times.

In case of loss or theft of the card or misappropriation of the card account number, fraudulent charges are forgiven by the bank ONLY if they are notified by the end of the month following the month in which the fraudulent charges occur (this is called the notification period). The cardholder must call 1-800-270-7760.


1-800-270-7760, is available 24 hours a day every day

EVERY CARDHOLDER MUST KEEP THIS PHONE NUMBER
SOMEWHERE SEPARATE FROM THE CARD,
FOR EASY ACCESS IN CASE OF LOSS OR THEFT.

If the bank is not contacted within the notification period, fraudulent charges could become the liability of the cardholder's department, or if denied by the department, the liability of the cardholder. Through prompt reconciliation, reconcilers may be the first to become aware of fraudulent charges, and should notify the cardholder and see that the bank is notified immediately.

Cardholders: "SAFEGUARD YOUR PURCHASING CARD!!!!!!!"

It is strongly suggested that, if a cardholder finds card use to be extremely infrequent, they turn in their card for cancellation or storage in some secure central location within the department, in order to prevent loss of the card.

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Activating The Card

  The cardholder should call the 1-800 number on the sticker of the Purchasing Card to activate the card.  This automated line will prompt the cardholder for the credit card number (on the face of the card), social security number (use an Employee Identification Number or EID number, not a social security number) and mother’s maiden name (if mother’s maiden name was not used, enter chosen password).

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Card Renewal

The PCard is valid until the last day of the month in which it expires.  The Purchasing card will automatically be renewed before the expiration date.  JPMorgan Chase Bank will mail the replacement PCard directly to the cardholder.  The cardholder should call the 1-800 number on the sticker of the Purchasing Card to activate the card.  This automated line will prompt the cardholder for the credit card number (on the face of the card), social security number (use an Employee Identification Number or EID number, not a social security number) and mother’s maiden name (if mother’s maiden name was not used, enter chosen password).

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Canceling A Card

  Upon termination of employment or transfer to another department, the cardholder must return his or her Purchasing Card to the Department Liaison. The Liaison must then prepare a card cancellation by completing a Delete Form.  The completed form should be mailed to the   Purchasing Card Coordinator. The Liaison should cut up the card and carefully dispose of the pieces.


Placing an Order

Transaction Flow
  • Cardholder makes a credit card purchase
  • Cardholder gives itemized receipt to Reconciler
  • Reconciler scrutinizes itemized receipt and reconciles charge.  (The Reconciler/Approver have 10 business days to both reconcile and approve)
  • Approver scrutinizes itemized receipt, reviews reconciliation and approves charge (The Reconciler/Approver have 10 business days to both reconcile and approve)
  • PCard Office conducts weekly transaction reviews for compliance
  • Approver reviews monthly statement and forwards documentation to FSO
  • FSO Compliance performs post transaction reviews for compliance with PCard and University Policy
  • PCard transaction documentation is retained by FSO for 8 years

Placing Phone Orders

  The Purchasing Card may be used to place orders over the phone. Cardholders must provide the vendors with the following information: the Purchasing Card number and expiration date, quantity and description of goods to be ordered and detailed instructions on delivery. In addition, the cardholder must request that an itemized invoice complete with sales tax information be sent with the shipment.

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Sales Tax Information And Itemized Invoices

  The cardholder is responsible for requesting from the vendor an itemized receipt, invoice, bill or other related document that includes itemized tax. All documentation including but not limited to receipts, packing slips, invoices must be submitted immediately to the department Reconciler. With the documentation for each purchase, the cardholder must include information about the FRS account(s) to be charged. Please refer to Purchasing Card polices and procedures from your own department for specific instructions.

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Customer Numbers

  Cusomter numbers are the merchant’s method for associating a billing and shipping addresses in their records. If a merchant asks you for your customer number, tell them they must set up a new one, complete with your billing and delivery address. Please tell them not to use any other customer number that they have in their file for the University of Arizona. Make a note of the customer number the vendor assigns to you; giving it to them when you order from them again will speed the ordering process.

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Delivery Instructions

  Cardholders must provide the vendor with detailed instructions for delivery. All goods must be shipped directly to the department not to Central Receiving. Please note that different addresses are used if the goods are shipped via US mail or a commercial carrier. A Post Office Box number must be used for shipping through US mail. Street addresses must be used by campus departments for shipping by a commercial carrier. Cardholders must ask the vendor which shipping method will be used. Examples follow.  

U.S. Mail:

Joe Zona
Any Department
Destination Building, Room 601
P.O. Box 2100xx
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona 85721-00xx

Commercial Carrier
(UPS, Federal Express):

Joe Zona
Any Department
Destination Building 77, Room 601
140 East M Street
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721

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Billing Address Information

  Some vendors may ask for your billing address. For Purchasing Card transactions, it is the address on your purchasing card application or the most recent change form. This address appears on the cardboard folder around new cards.

After obtaining your billing address, the vendor may call the bank and verify the information as an additional check that you are a bona fide cardholder. Warning: If the vendor gets one character in the address wrong, the bank may decline the sale. They will not assist the vendor in getting it right; their position is that they protect your information and do not share it.

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Damaged Goods/Disputed Charges

  The cardholder should immediately attempt to resolve any discrepancy directly with the vendor.

A discrepancy can result from failure to receive goods, fraud, altered charges, defective merchandise, incorrect quantity or incorrect merchandise, duplicate charges, credits not processed or discounts not received. If the cardholder is unable to reach an acceptable solution or agreement with the vendor, he or she should notify the Department Purchasing Card Liaison. The charge can be disputed online through PaymentNet by the reconciler or approver.  The cardholder may also call J P Morgan Chase Customer Services at 1-800-270-7760.  If the bank is not notified within 30 days after the last day of the billing cycle during which the charge appears, fraudulent charges could become the liability of the cardholder's department or if denied by the department, the liability of the cardholder.

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Help For Vendor Problems when Placing Phone Orders

  If a vendor has difficulty in handling a Purchasing Card (e.g., says it's not valid, says it's expired) and the cardholder is unable to resolve the problem, HELP is available from J P Morgan Chase Customer Services at 1-800-270-7760. 

Customer Services is authorized to talk only with cardholders and with the Program Coordinator, but the UA liason may be included on a conference call or speakerphone after the cardholder has provided his/her identifying information to the bank.
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How to Make Changes 

Liaison

  1. Fill out the New Department Application.  Change the title of the form to "CHANGE LIAISON". Have the new liaison and the department head sign
  2. Send the form to the PCard Program Coordinator.

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Reconciler and/or Approver


Complete a Change Form or Send a memo/email signed by the liaison to the PCard Program Coordinator. Back to top


Cardholder Changes


Use the Change Form to change:

  • Cardholder's last name.
  • Cardholder's address.
  • Dollar and/or transaction limits.
  • Reconciler and/or Approver.

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Allowable FRS Accounts / Object Codes

 Recommended FRS account numbers for Purchasing Card use. Please contact your Fund Accountant for further information.

100001 - 243520
246000 - 499240
530000 - 571999

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Allowable Object Codes

 Recommended object codes for Purchasing Card use. Please contact your Fund Accountant for further information.

3240 - 3780 and 3820, 3840, 3860, 3870, 3990
4110, 4120, 4150, 4180, 4210
4610 - 5490 (except for 4830, 4990, 5170 and 5240)  5520, 5540, 5560
5610 - 5790, 5810,5820
6140, 6240, 6340

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Roles and Responsibilities

 

Merchants

  • Ship orders, including itemized invoices Process Visa charges at the time of shipment.
  • Rectify any discrepancies in orders.

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JP Morgan Chase Bank

  • Receive Visa charges.
  • Assist cardholders with difficult vendor problems.
  • Issue Purchasing Cards.
  • Cancel Purchasing Cards immediately upon request of the UA Program Administrator or cardholder.
  • Notify UA Program Administrator of any suspected fraudulent use of a card.

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Financial Service Office/Accounts Payable

  • Reconcile FRS Purchasing Card data with JP Morgan Chase
  • Merge Purchasing Card and FRS 1099 data

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Purchasing

  • Analyze cardholder merchant use patterns; negotiate lower price contracts with them.
  • Negotiate discounted purchasing contracts with other vendors

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Purchasing Card Program Administrator

  • Receive & process credit card applications from departments
  • Receive cards from JP Morgan Chase; store them securely until cardholders are trained
  • Maintain Purchasing Card Manual on Web Page
  • Provide training for each department/unit, cardholders and reconcilers/approvers
  • Issue cards to cardholders or department Liaisons for distribution to cardholders
  • Post review transactions campus wide
  • Track termination or transfer of cardholders
  • Cancel cards
  • Make changes to cardholder accounts
  • Issue renewed cards to existing cardholders.

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Department Head
  • Ensures that a system is established and implemented that promotes compliance within UA/ABOR Policies and Regulations governing the use and security of the Purchasing Card.
  • Ensures a manager is designated to serve as a Purchasing Card Liaison for purposes of monitoring, recording and reporting Purchasing Card policy violations or any other misuse of the card by the unit. This employee will need top level authorization and on-going support.
  • Note:  Any changes to a Liaison’s P-Card or responsibilities must be
                            approved by the Department Head.
  • Takes immediate action as appropriate upon learning of card use that constitutes or appears to indicate a violation of the UA Procurement Policy and Compliance Procedures or The University of Arizona Misuse of Assets Policy.  (Department Heads may suspend temporarily or cancel Procurement Cards based on the degree of misuse.)
  • Ensures appointment of primary and backup Reconcilers & Approvers so as to provide prompt reliable reconciliation.
                Note: Reconcilers & Approvers may be cardholders, and may

                        reconcile or approve their own transactions, but not both. <>
  • Ensures department establishes a system for processing and archiving purchase documentation, including order forms, receipts, invoices, packing lists, etc..
  •             Note: The department is solely responsible for maintaining original
                        detailed documentation for audit purposes.
  • Ensures the Reconciler and Approver have the computer hardware necessary to operate the JP Morgan Chase PaymentNet Web Site required for this program.  (A computer is required for each, the Reconciler and Approver.) 

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Department Purchasing Card Liaison

  • Acts as contact with the UA Purchasing Card Department
  • Designated signer on all PCard documentation including change forms; delete forms and new applications; as well as any departmental program changes.
    • Note:  Any changes to a Liaison’s P-Card or responsibilities must be
      approved by the Department Head.
  • Develops and enforces internal department policies and procedures
  • Monitors department card activity
  • Maintains copies of cardholder applications, agreements and card numbers.
  • Forwards applications and agreements to the UA Purchasing Card Administrator 
  • Serves as department contact for lost or stolen cards 
  • Assists with disputed charges that cannot be resolved by the cardholder
  • Provides internal training
  • Disseminates information from PCard Administrator to cardholders
  • Handles any questions related to the Purchasing Card Program
  • Advises the Department Head of problematic cardholders or misuse of a card
  • May store infrequently used Purchasing Cards
  • Collects Purchasing Cards from employees who terminate employment with the department
  • Ensures that the ownership of a department card is transferred or the card temporarily suspended during the absence of a responsible cardholder (i.e.  Sabbatical leave, vacation, extended illness, etc.)

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Department Approver

  • Reviews transactions processed by the Reconciler
  • If a cardholder is designated to reconcile and approve their own transactions, then the department head must manually review and sign the monthly statements (must be pre-approved by PCard Administration)
  • Assures that correct FRS accounts/object codes are used on transactions; and that sales tax is coded correctly
  • Reviews validity of a transaction by scrutinizing the receipt
  • Prepares various reports for cardholders, division administrators, etc.
  • Maintains archived Purchasing Card documents at the business office for audit, in compliance with The Records Retention policy (8 years)
  • Complies with the University Misuse Policy to report suspected employee misuse of the PCard

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Department Reconciler

  • Receives daily documentation such as receipts, packing slips, etc. from cardholders and maintains in a pending file until the transaction has been completed and reconciled
  • Assures that correct FRS accounts/object codes are used on transactions; and that sales tax is coded correctly
  • Reviews validity of a transaction by scrutinizing the receipt
  • Reviews and resolves discrepancies
  • Complies with the University Misuse Policy to report suspected employee misuse of the PCard

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Cardholder

  • Ensures that the Purchasing Card is used for University of Arizona business only, not for personal use.  All transactions made using the Purchasing Card must benefit and support the University’s mission of education, research and public service.
    Fraudulent or intentional misuse of the card will result in cancellation of the card and/or possible criminal charges.
  • Complies with all policies relating to the use of the card
  • Complies with the provisions of The University of Arizona’s Misuse of University Assets Policy since some unauthorized purchases may violate this policy.  If it is determined through investigation that a purchase violates the Misuse of Assets Policy, the purchaser is subject to disciplinary action; go to http://web.arizona.edu/~policy/misuse.pdf.
  • Upon termination of employment or transfer to another department, cardholders must return their Purchasing Card to the department liaison.  The liaison will cancel and dispose of an individual card or transfer ownership of a departmental card to another employee.
  • Safeguards Purchasing Card
  • Reports lost or stolen card immediately
  • Reviews any discrepancies with the Reconciler; notify the Bank of suspected fraudulent activity
    Note: In case of loss or theft of the card or misappropriation of the card account number, the bank forgives fraudulent charges ONLY if they are notified within 60 days from the date the charge appears in PaymentNet (this is called the notification period).  The cardholder must call J P Morgan Chase Customer Service at 1-800-270-7760.  If the bank is not contacted within the notification period, fraudulent charges could become the liability of the cardholder’s department or if denied by the department, the liability of the cardholder.
  • Forwards all documentation (receipts, packing slips, etc.) to the Reconciler on a daily basis
    Note: Failure to comply with PCard policy or failure to forward documentation for credit card purchases may result in suspension and/or cancellation of the PCard.
  • Resolves any discrepancies with the Vendor
  • Obtains Travel Authorization number before purchasing travel related purchases and write T# on receipt
  • A responsible cardholder of department cards must authorize use of the card for each transaction.  Responsibility for the card should be transferred or the card temporarily suspended during the absence of a responsible cardholder (i.e.  Sabbatical leave, vacation, extended illness, etc.)

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   Questions about these web pages last updated March 6th, 2009