Frequently Asked Questions - Accounts Payable

This is the preferred method of payment and part of an effort to reduce checks and eliminate paper waste and inefficiencies. It is not required. This will also decrease the time it takes to complete payment and is more convenient than handling a check.

Payments will be processed as credit card transactions, so your standard merchant fees will apply. There are not any direct fees imposed by the client or issuing bank.

It is not the Clients intention to absorb fees associated with your Merchant Service Provider.

The new payment process keeps that card account with a credit limit of $0 until an invoice has been approved for payment. Once it is approved, the card will be funded with the exact amount due and you will receive a remittance, which is an electronic confirmation that the card is ready to be charged. This technology makes keeping a card on file completely safe.

Would your company allow you to maintain only the first 12 numbers on the card? For security reasons, the remittance advice, which authorizes payment, only identifies the last 4 digits of the card; upon receipt of the remittance you would have the complete card information in order to process the transaction.

Your terms will remain the same, however, you do gain the float; funds are typically deposited within 48 hours after processing the transaction.

Your invoicing, current procedures and client contacts will remain the same.

For security purposes, we do not have account or billing information on file. We will indicate in our notes that additional information is required.

Please discuss this with your Client Accounts Payable contact or the Client Program Administer.

The client will contact you with the card information to keep on file; at that time you can provide your internal Card Authorization Form to the client and maintain that form with the card information. The remittance is your ongoing authorization to process the card for the exact amount indicated.

As described in the memorandum distributed by Vice President of Finance & Administration, John Carnaghi, the vendor authentication process requires vendors to complete and certify relevant federal reporting requirements and to certify that there are no conflicts of interest and no employee-employer relationships between the vendor and the University or FSU department.

The new Vendor Authentication Form is required to comply with IRS Taxpayer Identification Match rules and Form W-9 vendor certifications; it also reduces the University's exposure to penalties resulting from the misreporting of vendor information to the IRS.

The University reserves the right to decline a request to add a new vendor if the goods and/or services the vendor provides are already available from an existing University-preferred contract or Florida State eMarket-participating vendor or if the business has been identified as a Specially Designated National.

The process should normally take two days or less. If expedited handling is required, contact Disbursement Services at CTL-APVendors@fsu.edu. Occasionally, the process may take longer, depending on the responsiveness of the vendor.

Disbursement Services will let the department know if a vendor cannot be entered into the system. Otherwise, the department should check OMNI after a few days to find the vendor number.

The vendor authentication form can be found in the Payables & Disbursement Services section of the Controller's Office Forms page.

For protection of confidential information, the vendor should mail or fax the completed forms to Disbursement Services. (Please Note: When mailing the forms, the approval process may take longer than two (2) days). The mailing address and the fax number are on the vendor authentication form.

A letter or invoice from the vendor that indicates the address change is all that is required.

Disbursement services will look up the vendor to see why they were inactivated. Depending upon the reason, the vendor may be reactivated by having them fill out a new Vendor Authentication form to capture required federal reporting data, or reactivation may be denied due to a particular reason (e.g. vendor has been debarred; vendor is now using a different name and FEID #; vendor is listed on the National Designated Individuals List).

No. These individuals should contact FSU's Payroll Services department at (850) 644-3813.

If the business is a foreign entity, they should not fill out the Vendor Authentication Form. Instead, they should refer to the IRS instructions and forms for foreign businesses.

Consider the following, when choosing the proper W-8 form to use:

• Form W-8BEN (use if other W-8 forms are not applicable)
• Form W-8ECI – Applicable if the foreign entity has a trade or business in the United States
• Form W-8IMY – Applicable if foreign entity acts in the capacity of a custodian, broker, nominee or any other person that acts as an agent for another person
• Form W-8EXP – Applicable primarily when the foreign entity is a foreign government, foreign bank, foreign tax-exempt organization or foreign foundation.

After completion of the required form, send the original, signed document to Disbursement Services. Note: The Vendor Relations team will check all the necessary resources to ensure no federal or state restrictions exist on the foreign entity before they are entered into the University's vendor file.

If the potential vendor is an individual and he or she is not a U.S. Citizen or a permanent U.S. Resident, the Vendor Authentication form should not be filled out. Instead, he or she should contact FSU’s Payroll Services Department at (850) 644-3813.

ePRF is the Electronic Payment Request process in OMNI for allowable unencumbered payments. Allowable Unencumbered Disbursements

Yes. Basic Entry of an ePRF

On myFSU Portal under My Security Center is e-ORR – Online Role Requests. Chose Submit Request – Add/Remove Role. Please request the FSU_AP_PRF_APPROVER Role. Note: The individual must be listed as a Principle Investigator (PI) on the project. The ePRF Approver Authorization Form is found on the Controller’s website: Forms

FSU_CTRL_UNVCHRD_PRF_STATUS: you choose a Request Status and DEPT ID. FSU_CTRL_EPRF_STATUS_BY_DEPT: this query will show what is vouchered by using the department ID and a date range.

An ePRF should be submitted for an allowable unencumbered disbursement or when a PO is closed (please review the FAQ on how an ePRF is submitted on a closed purchase order). Payment Requests should be submitted in time for the vendor to receive payment. The review and approval could take up to five business days, so departments should include this time period before their submission.

No, departments are only required to list two Level 1 Approvers; however, ; however, listing a Level 2 approver may be beneficial in certain circumstances.
Helpful Query: FSU_DPT_EPRF_LVL1_LVL2_APPR

At least two approvers must be designated by a department in case one approver is out sick or on vacation. That way, requests can continue to be handled with minimal delay when one approver is away from the office.

If your department decides to have a second level of approval for this process, then yes- a minimum of two Level Two Approvers must be designated by your department. If your department does not want to make use of the second level of approval, no designation is required.

• Accounts Payable.
• Foundation when using Fund Code 599.
• Research Foundation when using Fund Codes 540 & 545.

Contact Accounts Payable for assistance.

Contact Accounts Payable for assistance.

If a Purchase Order (PO) is closed before an invoice is paid the department can submit an ePRF. The closed PO must have retained an encumbrance to pay the invoice and the invoice information must match the PO. The requestor will put in all the pertinent information in addition to the closed PO number in the comments field. If the PO is closed with no encumbrance to pay the invoice the department should contact Procurement@fsu.edu.

The AP Job Aids

• Adding a New Supplier
• Creating a Membership Payment Request Form
• Determine if Payments Have Been Made
• Expenditure Guidelines
• Finding Invoices in OMNI
• Resolving Budget Errors
• Searching for Account Codes
• How to Select a Remit Address
• Basic Entry of an ePRF

The AP Forms contains links for required forms

No. Cash advances do not encumber funds on a budget, so it is critical that departments account for the outstanding cash on their reconciliation. Cash advances can be viewed on the Departmental Ledger in BI under “Other Assets.”

Employee Cash Advances, for non-travel purposes, are typically used for change funds. Employee Cash Advances can only be requested by Faculty, A&P and selected USPS employees. OPS employees and graduate students are unable to request Employee Cash Advances.

Employees who wish to refund the University for a temporary cash advance can make payments via cash, money orders, or personal checks. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Florida State University.

Physical payment should be submitted along with a completed Departmental Deposit Form using the permanent advance (168300) or temporary advance (168400) account code. Do not use an expense (7XXXXX) or revenue (6XXXXX) account code to return unspent funds.

This payment can be placed in the Drop Box outside of the Student Business Services office at A1500 University Center. If payment is unable to be dropped off, it can be mailed to:.

Florida State University Accounts Receivable
P.O. Box 3062397
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2397

Please review the Employee Cash Advance guidance found on the Controller’s Office website for assistance with submitting an ePRF for cash advances.

• 168300 – permanent advances
• or 168400 – temporary advances

Expense (7XXXXX) or Revenue (6XXXXX) account codes should NEVER be used for unspent funds.

The expense (7XXXXX) account code that most closely associates with the purpose of the cash advance should be used. For example, 740355 is for human subject participant incentive payments.

Contact your SRA Grants Accounting Coordinator immediately. Repeated failure to follow the cash advance procedures for incentive payments may result in payments being denied and/or the employee not being reimbursed.

The amount of cash requested should be reasonable based on the timeline for disbursing funds. For example, if you plan to disburse $1,000 per month for 6 months, you don’t necessarily need $6,000. The first month can be replenished after it is disbursed to reuse for future disbursements. As a general rule, the cash should not exceed your immediate need for disbursement (30-60 days).

A Cash Advance Extension will be reviewed on a case by case basis. A New Temporary Employee Cash Advance Request Form must be completed with the remaining balance, updated expiration date and be approved by SRA. Only human subject incentive payments requiring cash payments will be allowable as an Employee Cash Advance. In addition, Employee Cash Advances are no longer available to procure Gift Cards. Temporary Employee Cash Advance Request Form

Cash advances should be reconciled monthly; with funds either being replenished or the cash advance partially closed if additional funds are not needed.

If a custodian has disbursed a $500 cash advance and they only want to replenish $300 for their remaining payments, they can partially replenish/close the advance. In this example, the $300.00 would be partially replenished. The $200.00 would be partially closed in a separate voucher. See “Employee Cash Advance- Partial Close” job aid.

No.

Yes, every cash advance requires “special handling” when inputting the ePRF, to state the name, phone number, and address of the custodian. The assigned custodian or designee will be contacted by Disbursement Services when the check is ready.

Yes. You can download the Vendor Direct Deposit Authorization at the FSU Controller’s site. Submit the completed application through FSU’s Drop Box to ctl-epayments@fsu.edu to ensure security and privacy.

Payments with greater than eight distribution lines which are unencumbered may be submitted via Spreadsheet Upload. If you have eight or more unencumbered payments to a single vendor, then Spreadsheet Upload is the preferred method of processing those payments. Spreadsheet Upload is useful for processing payments for expenditures such as rent, utilities, and similar payments. Payments associated with a purchase order may not be submitted for payment via Spreadsheet Upload.

No, Non-Duty Stipends must be submitted through Student Business Services.

Yes. Accounts Payable will provide Voucher IDs for the payments. It is the requesting department’s responsibility to attach backup documentation to the payment vouchers.

Yes. Please ensure the future invoice date is provided and enter the scheduled payment due date into the upload template.

Vouchers that have been marked as Special Handling (on the Payments tab) are set aside by the Controller’s Office. Currently there is not a pickup option for checks due to COVID-19. The individual noted in the Message field will be called/emailed/messaged when the check is ready and given the option to have the check sent through Campus Mail via Mail Code or sent to an address of their choosing. If special accommodations are required regarding the delivery of a check, please contact Accounts Payable.

It is located on the Controller’s Website, under Services, Cash Management & Banking, Forms, Cash Management and Banking Forms, Stop Payment Form. This form is the means by which Departments request a stop payment on a supplier or travel expense-related payment. There are two options with this form. The payment can be cancelled and reissued, or a full stop can be issued. For any changes of address or changes to any specific supplier information, please email CTL-APVendors@fsu.edu for assistance.

A payment cancellation closes the voucher and reverses the initial accounting entries, returning the expended funds to the department. A reissue will generate another check or EFT to the vendor, without taking additional funds from the department.

No, a check payment cannot be cancelled and reissued in the same day. Checks will be reissued the following Wednesday following cancellation.

All checks are processed Wednesday and are sent to Postal Services by 1:00 PM. Any requests for special considerations must be made before 12:00 PM of the same day.

The quickest and most efficient method for getting payment questions answered is to email Accounts Payable. This email is monitored constantly throughout the business day and a will provide the requestor with the most accurate information.

Florida State University offers a Virtual Payment as one of the quickest methods of receiving a payment. These payments are essentially a Virtual “Credit Card” that is good for one time use in the specific amount of your invoice. As the payee, once your V Card process is setup with FSU, you will receive an email notification on how to process individual payments for outstanding invoices. If you are not receiving these emails or have outstanding payments, please contact Accounts Payable.

If your payment was not retrieved in time, FSU can cancel and reissue your payment via the V Card Portal again. You will receive an email just like the original. Follow the same instructions to collect the payment from Wells Fargo.

Florida State University offers an alternative secure delivery option via Dropbox. Dropbox offers the supplier the opportunity to process the payments manually via the payment information. Dropbox (https://dropbox.fsu.edu/) insures that the message is delivered to the intended recipient by validating that the email exists and the recipient has agreed to receive a message. Payment information is sent securely via Dropbox in two separate emails. One contains the payment information and the other the login info.

To switch a payment from check to EFT, please contact vendor services at epayments@admin.fsu.edu. Be prepared to provide them with:

• A voided check which confirms the account/routing number on your form.
• A signed letter from a bank representative on bank letter head which confirms the account/routing number
• A signed letter from the company's CFO/member of executive team on company letter head which confirms the account/routing number

Payments made via EFT by Florida State University will post from FSU’s account the same day they are processed. However, the amount of time it takes for the payment to post to the payee’s bank account is entirely up to the payee’s bank. If a payment has been processed by Florida State University via EFT and is not showing up in your account, please contact your financial institution.

A request to make a partial or full payment for goods or services before receiving all designated goods or services or without receiving an immediate benefit.

Progress payments are payments made prior to shipment or completion of services under a fixed price procurement contract, which are based on actual costs incurred or on an actual stage or percentage of completion accomplished.

To safeguard public funds, Florida Law requires, with few exceptions, that goods and services be inspected and received before payment is made. When the university commits to a purchase from a supplier, the supplier is expected to have adequate resources or working capital to provide the requested goods/services. Advance payment to a supplier can incur additional costs for the university, present a risk of loss of the funds advanced in case of supplier bankruptcy, and can reduce the university’s ability to negotiate in the event of a dispute.

Procurement Services is authorized to approve advance payments up to $5,000. The Controller’s Office must approve all advance payments above $5,000. Advance payment requests will be sent to the Controller’s Office by Procurement Services. Departments are responsible for providing Procurement Services with the justification for the advance payment.

The department must justify that the advance payment is in the best interest of the university and that there is adequate protection to ensure the goods/services will be provided. Specifically, the department must describe the:

• Savings the university will experience by using this supplier (state if quotes or bids were obtained, or
• Savings for prepaying multiple years, or
• Industry specific payment standards, or
• Other specific reason

• The requisition must be accompanied by documentation explaining the reason for pre-payment
• Documentation must include evidence of the Supplier’s demand for pre-payment
• The dollar amounts must be correct and include any handling or shipping charges
• Documentation verifying the prices, such as a quotation from the Supplier, price list, Supplier order form, or pro-forma invoice
• The amount of the desired pre-payment will need to be receipted in OMNI and the invoice must be provided to Accounts Payable
• The Supplier must also be registered in the Supplier Database

Note: Procurement Services working with the Controller’s Office will make the determination as to whether the advance or progress payment is in the best interest of the University.

Advance payment approval should be requested during the requisition process. The approval should be attached to the requisition.

The following types of expenditures do not generally require advance payment authorization:

• Approved Procurement Card purchases
• Approved Travel Card purchases
• Charter travel (bus or plane)
• Entertainer, speaker, or similar fees
• Insurance premiums
• Monthly lease payments
• Annual subscription payments
• Annual membership dues
• Annual maintenance agreements (i.e., if full payment is generally expected annually at the beginning of the agreement term)
• Registration fees