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VP for Finance & Treasurer
University of Pennsylvania
Suite 731 Franklin Building
3451 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA. 19104

215.898.9844 (Phone)
215.573.6392 (Fax)

[ Financial Policy Manual ]

2303 Use of a Purchasing Card
Effective: July 1993
Revised: April 2008
Last Reviewed: April 2008
Responsible Office: Purchasing Services
Approval: Purchasing Services
View PDF Version

Purpose

To establish the policies and procedures related to the appropriate use of a University of Pennsylvania Purchasing Card (includes Fleet Fuel Card).

Policy

1. The appropriate Senior Financial Officer must approve all requests to obtain a new Purchasing Card.

2. The Cardholder must successfully complete required training, and, upon completion of training, sign and accept the terms and conditions of the Purchasing Card Cardholder Agreement prior to receiving his/her Purchasing Card. Cardholders must also complete a bi-annual refresher training course in order to retain use of their Purchasing Cards.

3. All Purchasing Card transactions must be processed in accordance with University Procurement and Disbursement financial policies, the authorized buying method instructions listed in the Buying Decision Chart and the BEN Financials Commodity Matrix.

4. All Purchasing Card cardholders must adhere to the ethics in purchasing guidelines.

5. The standard Purchasing Card monthly spend limit is $4,999.00. The standard single transaction limit is $1,000.00. Requests to increase the standard spend or transaction limit must include an explanation of the business purpose for the request and must be approved by the appropriate Senior Financial Officer. The request must then be forwarded to the Chief Procurement Officer (or designee) for final review and approval.

6. The Purchasing Card cannot be used for purchases of restricted commodities and/or purchases from restricted suppliers.

7. All Purchasing Card transactions must be made by the individual to whom the Purchasing Card is issued.

8. All Purchasing Card transactions must be made for the sole use and benefit of the University of Pennsylvania. Personal purchases are not permitted under any circumstances as per the terms and conditions of the Cardholder Agreement.

9. As an authorized agent of the University, it is the cardholder’s responsibility to ensure proper use of the University’s sales tax exemption number.

10. It is the cardholder’s responsibility to maintain appropriate supporting documentation for each Purchasing Card transaction along with a copy of the monthly statement of account for all transactions.

11. Purchasing Services is authorized to review Purchasing Card purchasing activity to ensure compliance with this policy. Purchasing Services is authorized to suspend the Purchasing Card privileges of any Cardholder who is deemed to be in violation of this policy.

12. Violation of this policy and/or the duties and responsibilities listed in the Purchasing Card Training program will result in further action by the Dean, Director, or School or Center Senior Financial Officer in accordance with the University of Pennsylvania Human Resources policies.

13. Fraudulent use of the Purchasing Card will result in actions being taken in accordance with the procedures established in the Cardholder Agreement form.