Evelyn,

I have created an computerized accounting system for grant management,
which includes electronic requisitions, travel processing and check
requests. After the requisitioner has entered the items, the account,
and expense category the system checks the real-time balance for the
account before the order can be placed. As long as there are funds
available in the category the requisitioner can submit the order. At
that time the system determines the approvers based on account and $.
There is a PI approval (up to three people at different $ levels) and if
necessary a safety approval (radio active items). Once the approvals
have been given on-line (notification of pending approval by e-mail
and/or pop-up notifier) it bounces to our post-award grant specialist
who checks for compliance with award policies (Policies are on-line and
can be pulled up on the approval screen). As soon as this approval is
given the requisition prints directly to the purchasing dept (or
accounts payable for Check Request and Travel). We were able to cut out
checks by the account/budget offices (we have two) by making the system
eliminate the chance for overspend. Our average time Order Entry ->
Purchasing is 28 minutes, and when requested we can achieve Order Entry
-> Delivery within 24 hours. This has been very beneficial to us as
Research is about 1/4 mile from main hospital and university and orders
previously required significant walking time.

Hope this helps,

-David

-----Original Message-----
From: Evelyn Ford [mailto:xxxxxx@PGH.AUHS.EDU]
Sent: Friday, January 30, 1998 3:35 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list RESADM-L
Subject: Signature Authority

I'd appreciate some info regarding signature authority:  What
signatures do you require for purchase requisitions, check requests,
travel documents, etc., after the P.I. (or his/her designee) signs
off but before the document reaches Accounts Payable, the Purchasing
Department, or whatever.  Does it have to go through your research
finance office?  Local (department) administration?

Thanks.

--------------------------------------------------------
Evelyn J. Ford, Research Administrator
Center for Neurosciences Research
Allegheny University of the Health Sciences
Allegheny Campus, Pittsburgh PA 15212-4772
voice 412.359.4475
fax 412.359.4499
xxxxxx@pgh.auhs.edu