Title
Office of Sponsored Research - 500.17, Procedure 1 - Prepaid Card Request & Reconciliation
Corresponding with:
- Office of Sponsored Research - 500.17 - Prepaid Cards
Purpose
This procedure details the steps to request and reconcile prepaid cards related to a sponsored project.
The UNC Finance Division (Finance) procedures should be followed for requesting and reconciling prepaid cards for non-sponsored activities.
Expectations of Prepaid card management:
- All prepaid cards distributed within a calendar month must be reconciled by the 15th (or next business day) of the following month, unless required sooner for reporting purposes.
- Prepaid card use is strictly limited to payment of study subject/participant incentives for sponsored projects.
- Funds advanced for prepaid card use should not exceed the sponsored project’s budget for the expense to which the prepaid cards will be reconciled upon distribution.
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Procedure
I. Requesting an Advance for Prepaid Cards
Transaction Creation
- Complete Prepaid Card Set-Up Form
- Complete the following document: Prepaid Card Set-Up Form
- Submit this to UNC Accounting Services for approval
Approval Process
- Accounting Services routes form and applicable information to OSR for approval
- Request is reviewed for completeness and allowability on the project by the assigned Sponsored Project Specialist
- If approved, Accounting Services will create and submit a journal entry advancing funds to the sponsored project for prepaid cards
- OSR Pre-Audit Technician approves or rejects the request
- The transaction will be subject to rejection without all required documents
- If approved, UNC Accounting Services will request sponsored project set up in the Bank of America Prepaid Card Administration Tool
II. Reconciling Prepaid Cards
Transaction Creation
Create a Campus Journal – Intraunit Other Journal Entry (JOT) in ConnectCarolina
- Create reconciling journal moving expenses from account code 559520 to the appropriate account code for the type of expense
- Complete and attach the following documents to the journal transaction:
- Reconciliation of Prepaid Cards for Study Subjects
- Original Advance Journal and Settlement Inquiry Screen (printout or screenshot)
- Copy of all relevant receipts, invoices, and/or other expense documentation
- Prepaid card activity report from the Bank of America Prepaid Administration Tool
- Submit journal for OSR Pre-Audit approval with sufficient time to meet appropriate reporting deadlines, as applicable.
- The total amount reconciled, including the current reconciliation, should not exceed the amount of the prepaid card advance.
Approval Process
- OSR Pre-Audit Technician reviews the journal documentation for completeness and allowability
- The transaction will be subject to rejection without all required documents
- OSR Pre-Audit Technician approves or rejects the reconciliation journal
- If rejected the advance may be reconciled to non-sponsored funds
Related Requirements
External Regulations and Consequences
Unit Policies, Standards, and Procedures
Contact Information
For questions regarding this procedure and its related operating standard, please contact ResAdminOSR@unc.edu.
For questions regarding Pre-Award management or Post-Award administration, please contact the assigned Sponsored Projects Specialist (SPS).
For invoicing, reporting and other financial matters, please contact the assigned Sponsored Projects Accountant.
OSR Staff assignments may be found in RAMSeS or on the OSR website.