Friday, May 25, 2007 |
In this issue: |
Finance MattersRSO is in the process of mailing several thousand financial statements, either as Form 300s or Statements of Revenue and Expenditure, to departments for projects requiring the researcher's signature. Signed financial statements issued in May are due back to RSO, via departmental administrators, by June 6, 2007. RSO is currently working on some discrepancies that have been identified between eTRAC and the Form 300s currently being sent to researchers. They are as follows: 1. Accounts payable transactions with foreign exchange components may be calculated differently between eTRAC and Form 300s. The Form 300s are using the correct rate, and we are working with Administrative Information Systems (AIS) to ensure that eTRAC uses the correct rate as well. 2. Certain salary transactions are being imported to eTRAC incorrectly. Human Resources and AIS are working on a number of fixes for this issue. 3. We are also aware of an issue with respect to balance sheet transactions that have been processed on projects that are reported in eTRAC. When eTRAC was originally designed, it was decided that such balance sheet transactions should not be reported in eTRAC. In a number of cases, we have noted that projects have had funds transferred to balance sheet accounts (i.e. account codes that begin with a 2 or a 3), and those transfers are not reflected in eTRAC's calculation of Funds Available. We are identifying potential solutions for this issue in consultation with AIS. However, until such a solution is implemented, any project that has had balance sheet transactions will report an incorrect balance in eTRAC. If there are any questions about these matters identified, please contact your designated Research Facilitation Office.
|
Grants Management Phase 2 Now UnderwayPhase 2 of the PeopleSoft Grants Management Project, now underway, is critical to support a comprehensive research administration solution. When completed in 2008, Phase 2 will combine pre-award activities for research grants and contracts, with post-award fiscal management functionality, ensure more rigid controls over the University’s allocation of research dollars, and provide grant information to the whole research community. These objectives will be met primarily through the implementation of the PeopleSoft Grants and Contracts modules and integration with existing PeopleSoft Financials modules, but also includes changes to processes and financial procedures. The next step towards implementation is to demonstrate the conceptual design to the University research community through a Conference Room Pilot (CRP) scheduled for June. During the CRP, the project team will demonstrate the software and processes using realistic University business scenarios containing representative University data. While referring to the business documentation from 2003-04, CRP sessions will focus on showing new ways in which representative business processes can be performed using the PeopleSoft Grants solution. For more information on Grants Management Phase 2, contact the RSO Business Lead, Tamin Pretty, or the AIS Project Steward, Barry Scott.
|
Customs BulletinOver the last several months, the Customs Division within Supply Management Services has been restructured to more effectively manage the University of Alberta’s international trade activities. Central customs services are provided to all University Faculties, Departments and Units. The Customs Division can provide information and guidance in the following areas:
The Customs Division works closely with the University’s Customs Broker, Livingston International and various courier and freight companies, to streamline the customs clearance process. To learn more about the customs services provided to the University of Alberta, please visit the Customs Division on the Supply Management Services website.
|
Postdoc Appointment LettersAs a result of recent events and department/faculty demand, the Postdoc Office (with the consultation of the U of A General Counsel) has added a termination section to all appointment letters. The Termination section will follow the Benefit section. To ensure that you are inviting the potential postdoc with the most current version, use the appointment letters provided on the Postdoctoral Fellows Office website. The website should also be referenced for other up-to-date forms such as the registration form and the pay/benefits action form. The web address has recently been changed to www.postdoc.ualberta.ca.
|
Seven Steps to a Highly Effective Research AssociateThere are seven simple steps to recruiting and appointing a Trust/Research Academic. Step 1 - Review the Trust/Research Academic Staff Agreement. Step 2 - Write up the position description using the template and referring to the benchmark positions. Step 3 - Submit it to Compensation and Job Design to be evaluated. They will provide the salary range. Don't forget to include in your budget 23 per cent for benefits and Trust Academic Benefits Stabilization (TABS) costs. Step 4 - Advertise the position. If foreign nationals are to be considered, you must advertise a minimum of 30 days in both CAUT and University Affairs. Don't forget to budget for this. If recruiting from Canada, posting on the U of A website for five days (this is free) is recommended. Step 5 - Collect applications, conduct interviews and select the candidate. Then, using the template for the academic appointment letter, make the job offer. Step 6 - If a foreign national accepts the offer, you must apply for a confirmation through Service Canada. Step 7 - Complete the Pay/Action and related supplemental forms and submit it to Staff & Student Payments. Don't forget the Dean's office needs to sign these. Trust Research Staff Agreement Step by Step Guide for Recruiting and Appointing a Trust/Research Academic Position description template, benchmarks and appointment letters
|
Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Printer friendly | Send this to a friend |
|
www.rso.ualberta.ca
This email was created and delivered using MyMailout |
