Corporate Travel
& Expense Card Procedures
Contents
1.INTRODUCTION
2.GENERAL RULES REGARDING USE OF YOUR CORPORATE TRAVEL & EXPENSE CARD
3.PLACING AN ORDER USING THE CARD
4.ADMINISTERING YOUR STATEMENTS
5.CARD HOUSEKEEPING
6.PURCHASING SERVICES RESPONSIBILITIES
7.FINANCE (CREDITORS) RESPONSIBILITIES
8.FINANCE (MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS) RESPONSIBILITIES
9.SUMMARY
10. APPENDIX 1
1.INTRODUCTION
The University has identified that as part of their role and responsibilities certain staff members will be required to travel on University business and or provide external hospitality on a regular basis and will therefore incur individual incidental expenses as a result.
The objective of using these cards is to avoid the individual having to use their own money or credit card to facilitate payment of incidental expenses. A schedule of allowable and non allowable expenses is listed in Appendix 1
Please read the following procedure carefully as FAILURE to adhere to them WILL result in the University Card being withdrawn.
2.GENERAL RULES REGARDING USE OF YOUR CORPORATE TRAVEL & EXPENSE CARD
The University Corporate travel and expense card is issued in your name, which means that you are responsible for ensuring that the purchase transactions that are made against it are for legitimate business requirements.
University Corporate Cards are not provided as a means to by pass the normal procurement route for items such as:
- Air Travel Tickets
- Rail Tickets
- Hotel Accommodation
NB: It is accepted that whilst you are away on University business it may be necessary to book such items in order for you to continue with onward travel arrangements.
Where possible, travel arrangements should be made and purchased via your departmental, school purchasing co-ordinator as with all other requirements for goods or services.
Personal use of the card is not permitted, even if you intend to repay the cost of the transaction.
You must keep the credit card and PIN number safe and secure at all times.
It is not permitted to set up direct debit or standing order payments against the card. Please refer to the Finance Department for further advice on these types of payments
All purchases made with the card must be for legitimate University business travel or hospitalityexpenses.
- Travel – the cardholder must declare the date, destination and purpose of the travel expense. (Inland Revenue Requirement).
- Hospitality – the cardholder must declare the date, organisation, number of external and internal persons present and the purpose of the hospitality. (Hospitality can only be given in accordance with the University’s Entertaining and Hospitality Policy).
The corporate card is purely for individual incidental expenses and must not be used as a means to purchase goods or services for the department or school, any such none incidental purchases must be made via the departmental, schools normal purchasing route.
Purchases against the Card must not contravene the University’s Financial Regulations, Travel & Expense or the Entertaining & Hospitality Policies. Copies of which can be found at Policies and Procedures
3.PLACING AN ORDER USING THE CARD
3.1Using the Corporate card in person
When making a Purchase at a supplier outlet you will be asked to confirm the transaction by entering your unique PIN number. You must never disclose this PIN number to anyone. Also you cannot place an order by phone and then send someone else with the corporate card to collect the goods.
3.2Using the Corporate card by telephone
Once a supplier is identified, proceed to purchase by quoting your card details. Instruct the supplier to mark the packaging/paperwork with ‘corporate travel card’ and for the attention of [name and location]. If applicable, a VAT invoice/receipt clearly marked corporate travel card paid should be sent with the goods or directly to you. The supplier may request details of the University postcode for a security check. If asked for the Richmond Road postcode BD7 1DP should be quoted.
3.3Using the Corporate card for ordering by mail
Orders can be made if there is an application form that can be completed for Visa payment. The packaging and accompanying paperwork must be marked ‘corporate travel card’ and ‘for the attention of [name and location]’. If applicable, a VAT invoice/receipt clearly marked corporate travel card paid should be sent with the goods or directly to you.
3.4What if the supplier refuses to accept your card?
If the supplier refuses to accept your card, contact the bank in the first instance, who will advice what the problem is. Then if you are not able to resolve the problem you may need to contact the University Card Administrator.
3.5Do I need a VAT Invoice/receipt?
The University does not reclaim the VAT paid on its purchases through the Corporate card therefore it is not necessary for you to show an analysis of the VAT element.
All receipts/ invoices though must be attached with your statement and sent to the finance department for audit purposes.
3.6Recording purchases on the Transaction Log or Statement
You must record all your purchases on a transaction log or the monthly statement and include all the relevant information, invoices/receipts and goods received notes with it. You should ensure that there is sufficient detail to facilitate reconciliation to the card statement at the end of the month.
3.7What to do if goods need to be returned
The following Procedures should be followed:
Inform the supplier immediately.
Make arrangements for the replacement goods to be sent to you (where applicable)
Return the rejected goods to the supplier, or arrange for supplier to collect them.
Enter details onto the Transaction Log sheet or monthly statement.
When the monthly statement is received, check to ensure that the supplier has credited your account, and recharged you where applicable.
4.ADMINISTERING YOUR STATEMENTS
4.1Receiving monthly statements
Each month you will receive your University Corporate travel and expense card statement. Match this statement against your Transaction Log sheet (if kept). Once verified that the transactions are correct, add the relevant cost codes against each transaction.
Sign the statement, attach all relevant paperwork and pass it to your budget manager for authorising.
4.2What to do if you dispute an item on the statement
Occasionally you may not be able to reconcile your log sheet against the monthly statement for one of the following reasons:
4.3Transactions you are not aware of
Contact the University Card issuers Customer centre, the telephone number will be on the reverse of your card and request details of the transaction in question. Once you are sure that it is not a transaction you have forgotten about send Form 2 (see Appendix 2) to the University Card Administrator for action. The bank will also issue you with a form to complete so the transaction can be credited against your account.
4.4Supplier’s price is greater
Contact the supplier direct in order to discuss the difference. If you are unable to solve the difference, complete Form 2 and send to the University Card Administrator for action.
4.5Billed for goods not yet received
If the goods have not been despatched, inform the University Card Administrator. It is a Visa regulation that the transaction is not processed until the goods are despatched. If the goods have been despatched check the delivery address with the supplier and follow up with the relevant store/delivery point.
You must ensure that any credit received is applied directly to your University Card account and is not settled by way of cash reimbursement or cheque.
4.6The reconciled statement
This must be signed and passed to your Authorising Officer within 3 days of the statement being available. This is to enable your Authorising Officer sufficient time to authorise and return the completed form to Finance within 5 days of the statement being produced. Continual failure to comply with these times scales will result in your card being withdrawn.
5.CARD HOUSEKEEPING
5.1Security of the Card
Lost or stolen cards should be immediately notified to the University card provider. Complete Form 3 (see Appendix 3) and forward this to the University Card Administrator. A new card will be forwarded by the bank shortly.
5.2Card Expiry
If a replacement card is not received by the time the old card expires, contact the University Card Administrator. Expired cards should be cut up, in particular the “microchip” and disposed of securely.
5.3Damaged card
If you damage your card contact the University Card Administrator.
5.4Change of Personal details
Contact the University Card Administrator if you change your name, your job/department or you leave the University’s employment.
Cut the card up and return it to the Purchasing Office.
5.5Cardholders liability
Although the University Card is embossed with your name the account and therefore liability is in the name of the University. The card does not have an impact on your personal credit status.
6.PURCHASING SERVICES RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the responsibility of the Purchasing Office to ensure that:
New and existing cardholders have signed the cardholder agreements before the cards may be used.
The Card Authorising Officer/Administrator approves any requests to amend credit limits.
Guidance and procedures are issued to new cardholders and Card Authorising Officer/Administrator.
Training is provided as appropriate.
Cards are terminated on a timely basis.
A log is maintained on a shared drive within Finance of the cardholders details.
Suppliers are encouraged to accept card payments, in liaison with the cardholder.
The Purchasing Office will monitor management information in respect of the level of the usage, values and nature of purchases made in order to consider whether the cards continue to offer value for money.
7.FINANCE (CREDITORS) RESPONSIBILITIES
That Cardholder and Authorisers adhere to the timetable as detailed above and that statements are sent to Creditors on a timely basis.
Check that the statements have been appropriately coded authorised.
Regular monthly checks are carried out to ensure outstanding balances are being cleared and monthly reversing journal prepared for outstanding balances.
Creditors input received statements correctly and on a timely basis to the appropriate ledger codes and clear the appropriate balance on the card holding account.
Maintain a record of statements.
8.FINANCE (MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS) RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Accounts allocate direct debits to the correct holding account.
Creditors balances are cleared off on a timely basis by JPC transaction.
9.SUMMARY
The basic object of using the University corporate card is to reduce administration, but we also need to maintain the appropriate controls as given in this document.
The University reserves the right to withdraw the card if the cardholder does not follow the established procedure and may face appropriate disciplinary action.
The University continues to search for new ways to improve the way we conduct our business. Your use of the University Card in conducting your daily business can help significantly reduce the number of transactions we process for payment each month. If you have any questions about these procedures or need additional information, please contact the Purchasing Office.
10.APPENDIX 1
The list below is currently being reviewed as of June 2010.
Overseas internal country flights that cannot be pre-booked prior to departure using preferred travel agentsHotels overseas that cannot be pre-booked prior to departure using preferred travel agents
Rail and Tube fares that cannot be pre-booked
Meals and drinks
Laundry
Taxi and bus fares
Car Parking charges
Reasonable Tips (up to 10%) if not in service charges
Telephone & Internet connection charges
Small gifts for hosts where customary
Alcohol with meal only
Drugs, medicines and tablets appropriate for the trip
Visas
Hospitality for hosts i.e. meals, drinks and transport / Flights that can be pre-booked prior to departure using preferred travel agents
Hotels that can be pre-booked prior to departure using preferred travel agents
UK Rail tickets that can be pre-booked
Fines i.e. parking fines
Premium hotel services ( i.e. pay TV )
Toiletries and cosmetics
Travel bags or cases (except in an emergency)
Computer peripherals (except in an emergency)
Newspapers
Alcoholic drinks (except with a meal)
1