I don't think so.  If they allow the inclusion of administrative costs, how it's
presented is a matter of style.  I think the stumbling block here is stylistic
in the accouting sense.  They probably include these costs in their "cost of
pens" figure whereas we come up with a cost of pens plus overhead.  By including
the overhead in the "cost of the pen" we avoid the confusion.  How we determine
overhead is a whole 'nuther animal you don't want to bring up.  That will truely
confuse and mystify.  Lest you doubt that, try to explain it to a PI.  And
that's probably exactly the source of Mr. Chermside's problems.

Jennifer Sharp wrote:

> Do you run into the risk of the appearance of impropriety by doing this?
>
> Jennifer Sharp
> Contract Attorney
> Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute
> 1120 Marshall Street
> Little Rock, AR  72202
> 501-320-3571
> 501-320-3547 (Fax)
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Greg Schmidt [SMTP:xxxxxx@FAMU.EDU]
> > Sent: Monday, September 13, 1999 12:43 PM
> > To:   xxxxxx@hrinet.org
> > Subject:      Re: Japanese Business Practices
> >
> > Debbie -
> >
> > EXCELLENT  idea!  Fully load the costs.  I'm kicking myself for not
> > thinking of that.
> >
> > "Deborah (Debbie) L. Smith" wrote:
> >
> >       I am no expert on Japanese business practices, but when I run across
> > ANY
> >       sponsor that has a problem with F&A, I just suggest to the PI that
> > we build
> >       it into the total cost and not show it separately.
> >--

Greg Schmidt
Manager, Contract & Grant Accounting
Florida A&M University
201 FHAC
Tallahassee, FL  32307-3200

DUNS:  623751831

College of the Year - 1997

voice:   850 561-2956
fax:     850 561-2461

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