1. How do I get a Purchasing Card?
- Fill out the Online Application
- Print the application
- Sign it and get approval signatures of Account Executive (AE ) and Department Head
- Bring to the Purchasing Department
2. How do I raise my current card limits?
- Fill out the Online Update Form
- Get approval signature of the State Accountant and CFO
- Bring to the Purchasing Department
- Limit changes are subject to the approval of the Purchasing Department
- Changes take approximately 48 hours to become effective
3. What kind of purchases are/are not allowed on the card?
- See the Restricted List
4. Are travel-related purchases allowed on my card?
- No, travel reimbursement requests should be submitted to the Travel Office with appropriate supporting documentation
- Group travel ARE allowed for the student portion only.
5. What about Food Items and Business Meals?
- Food items which are necessary for a business purpose are allowed on the card if they are reasonable, necessary and occasional. The purchase must meet the criteria set forth in the Expenditure Guidelines.
- Business Meals procured at a restaurant are not allowed on the Purchasing Card. However exceptions have been granted in a very limited number of cases where there are documented needs demonstrating that such expenditures are reasonable, necessary and are for legitimate University business. For an exemption, please contact the purchasing card staff. No individual meal can be purchased by state employee.
6. Why must statements be signed within 30 days?
- Items on the monthly Purchasing Card Statement must be disputed with the bank within 30 days after the month’s closing date. By signing the statement, the cardholder indicates that all transactions have been reviewed and are accurate.
7. What documentation is required for card transactions?
(only ONE of the following is necessary for Purchasing Card Audits, with the exception of shipped items which require a packing slip in addition to one of the following)
- The Original itemized receipt is preferred
- Acceptable alternatives:
- A vendor invoice
- A fax order form with confirmation if possible
- A screen print of an internet order form or confirmation
- A copy of an order form that has been mailed
- A subscription order form
- All documentation must contain the date, vendor, described item(s), total price
- In case of a lost receipt or unavailable documentation, refer to the Missing Document Affidavit. Fill it out completely, get an authorized signature then keep it on file with the month’s purchasing card records.
8. What must I do if a receipt is unobtainable or lost?
- Contact the merchant for a possible duplicate.
- If a duplicate receipt cannot be obtained from the merchant, fill out a Missing Document Affidavit which is acceptable documentation
9. Is my personal credit affected or checked by being a cardholder?
- No, ownership and use of this card is in no way affiliated with your personal credit.
10. What should I do if my card is declined by a supplier?
- First determine whether or not you have exceeded your card limits.
- Second, ask the supplier to confirm the card number and expiration date they have entered.
- Consider the possibility that you have reached your cycle limit. The bank’s monthly cycle is defined as the 12th — 11th. To increase a Cardholder’s cycle limit, please complete a PCard Update Form.
- Contact the Purchasing Department to inform them that the card has been rejected. Please allow 24 hours after initial contact.
11. Can anyone else use my PCard?
- Bank rules state that the card is not to be used by any person except for the cardholder whose name appears on the front of the card. Employees who need to make purchases can apply for a card.
12. How do I cancel a card?
- Please notify the P-Card staff via an update form and destroy the card. All records should be retained in the Cardholder’s department.
13. Can I keep my PCard if I transfer to a new department?
- Your existing PCard must be cancelled and a new application submitted.