OATdb Archive

2009 - 2010

Contracts And Grants

Goal
Develop Policies And Procedures
Develop polices and procedures to govern post award administration of sponsored awards

Objective
Policies And Procedures Manual
Development of written policies and procedures for contract & grant awards

Indicator
Policy And Procedures Manual
Prepare a manual that lists policies and procedures for post award administration at SHSU.

Criterion
Policy And Procedures Manual
A written manual of the policies and procedures of the Contract & Grants Office at SHSU.

Action
Policy And Procedures
Findings: A hard copy of the manual is available at the Contract and Grants Office and an electronic copy is available on the office's webpage.

Action:  We are currently receiving feedback from faculty regarding the presentation of information in the policies and procedures manual. In fall of 2010 we will review faculty feedback and make any changes in the presentation of information.


Goal
Clean Up Of Invoicing Function
Invoices for sponsored awards are submitted to sponsors timely, payments are received and outstanding invoices are followed up.

Objective
Invoices Are Prepared Timely
Invoices are prepared in accordance with the award's terms

Indicator
Monthly & Quarterly Invoices
Sponsors are billed monthly or quarterly as indicated in the award's terms and conditions

Criterion
Monthly & Quarterly Invoices
Monthly & Quarterly invoices are not delinquent and are prepared within the timeframe specified by the contract terms and conditions

Action
Automation Of Billing Process
Fall 2010 Research Administration will begin implementing the Banner Billing module which will improve accuracy and timeliness of Invocies.

Objective
Invoices Are Prepared In Correct Format
Invoices to sponsors are prepared in the format specified by the award terms

Indicator
Correct Invoice Formats
Invoices will be prepared according to samples provided by sponsers.

Criterion
Formatting Of Invoices
Invoices will be formatted according to the samples provided by sponsors.

Action
Automation Of Billing Process
Fall 2010 Research Administration will begin implementing the Banner Billing module which will improve accuracy and timeliness of Invocies.

Objective
Invoices Are Prepared Accurately
Invoices to sponsors are accurate and reflect expenditures incurred on the University's fianncial records

Indicator
Invoices Are Accurate
Invoices are mathematically correct, report costs in correct category and agree to amounts per the University's records

Criterion
Invoices Are Accurate And Complete
Invoices submitted are correct, include required support documentation and reconcile to the University's Financial records

Action
Automation Of Billing Process
Fall 2010 Research Administration will begin implementing the Banner Billing module which will improve accuracy and timeliness of Invocies.

Goal
Clean Up Of Contract & Grant Awards
Closeout of old contract and grant awards to ensure all revenues due to SHSU have been recieved and the accounts may be removed from the University's financial records.

Objective
Review Of Old Contract & Grant Files
Review of old project files to determine if the project can be closed on the University's financial records

Indicator
Write Off Of Old Account Balances
Write off of balances on old accounts after reviewing project files

Criterion
Write Off Old Projects To Grant Audit Adjustment
Write off old account balances to grant audit adjustment account after review of old project file and approval by appropriate SHSU management.

Indicator
Invoice Or File Claim On Old Accounts
Invoice sponsors for revenues not paid to SHSU on old accounts. For State of Texas accounts, file miscelaneous claim form.

Criterion
Invoice Old Accounts
Review old accounts and invoice sponsors where necessary. File miscellaneous claims form to State of Texas on state awards.

Action
Clean Up Of Old Accounts
This effort has been completed.  All termed accounts are closed within 90 days of terminiation date, most within 30 days.

Goal
Establish Compliance Standards
Establish compliance measures that insure that the contracts and grants are executed within the terms and conditions of the grants and contracts.

Objective
Time And Effort Reporting
consolidate and simplify time and effort reporting and provide electronically to the PI's

Indicator
Monthly T&E Reports
Monthly electronic T&E reports are distributed for certification

Criterion
Time And Effort Is Certified
Distributed T&E reports are returned with certifications

Action
Time And Effort Reporting
Automation of Banner time and effort reporting will concide with the implementation of Banner Grants which is occuring fall 2010.  this new system will replace the current system which requires manual routing for signature.  The new wystem provides for electronic certification.


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement Policies and Procedures manual have been completed with some policies up for review and updating this fall.  Faculty input is being received and reviewed for further revisions to the policies.  Automation of Banner Grants module in Fall 2010 and the companion modules related to Billing and Time and Effort Reporting will conitnue the improvement made in invoicing and T&E reports over the last year.