5.2.1.8 Procurement Cards (PCard)

Overview
The Georgia Tech Procurement Card (PCard) is a Visa purchasing card that may be used by Institute employees for authorized business purchases within the delegated authority limit. The PCard is the Institute's primary tool for purchases of non-equipment, business related items under $5,000. The PCard should be used for purchases from suppliers who do not have a catalog in, the e procurement tool, “BuzzMart”. Cardholders must follow State of Georgia (DOAS), Board of Regents (BOR), and Georgia Tech purchasing policies and strive to obtain the maximum ultimate value for each dollar of expenditure. Additionally, Institute employees and officials assigned PCard responsibilities should familiarize themselves with the provisions of public law governing PCards to include Title 50, Chapter 5, Article 3 of the O.C.G.A. at:

Enter 50-5-83 in the search box and click Search
To view the text click on: § 50-5-83. Definitions; requirements for state purchasing card program

The use of the card is beneficial to the individual purchaser, the purchaser's department, the Institute, and the suppliers. It simplifies the purchasing and payment process and expedites receipt of goods. The PCard provides significant cost savings to Georgia Tech while providing electronic control and accountability. Any vendor that accepts Visa will accept the PCard.

General Guidelines
The purpose of this PCard Policy Manual is to provide Institute guidelines for the issuance and use of the PCard along with instructions for reconciliation and review of transactions. The Manual will be reviewed for adequacy by the Institute's PCard Program Manager at least annually.

General Information & Definitions

• Approver - The employee designated by the unit to review and verify cardholder transactions.

• Billing Address - The campus billing address of the individual cardholder (The address on the cardholder's monthly memo Statement). Address should include mail code. The Billing Address may be requested by vendors for order verification.

• Business Services - The Georgia Tech organization responsible for the overall administration of the PCard Program.
  
  
• Billing Date (Bank Posted Date) - The date the vendor transmits your purchase information to the bank for posting to your PCard account (Not necessarily the date you made the purchase). Visa's vendor contract requires account billing upon shipment of an order.       

• Billing Phone Number - The campus phone number of cardholder. May be requested by vendors for order verification.       

• Cardholder - Employee who has been issued a PCard.       

• Card Issuer - Bank of America, the bank issuing Georgia Tech's PCard.       

• Cycle Cutoff - The date the monthly statement is issued, the 27th of each month (excluding weekends and holidays).       

• Department Head - For purposes of these instructions refers to the VP, Dean, Director, or Department Head with budget authority for unit, or their designee.

• Director of Business Services - Responsible for the acquisition of goods and services at Georgia Tech. Serves as the Institute's primary liaison with the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS).

• Employee Agreement Form - The written agreement between Georgia Tech and the cardholder.

• Forms and Manuals - Forms and user manuals are available online at the Business Services website at www.procurement.gatech.edu . Revisions to the forms and manuals may be frequent. All employees should check the website often for current versions.

• The Manual - Refers to this instruction booklet.

• PCard Administration - Business Services unit that manages the day-to-day operations of the Institute's PCard Program.
  
  
• PCard Program Manager - Business Services representative responsible for PCard program. Serves as the Institute's official liaison with State Cards Program Manager.
  
  
• PCard Administrator - Business Services representative that assists PCard Program Manager administer PCard program.
  
  
• PCard Coordinators - Department representatives responsible for facilitating the Procurement Card Program within their departments.
  
  
• PCard Helpdesk - PCard Administration point of contact to assist with questions/concerns, available via phone at 404-894-1009 or e-mail at
  pcard.ask@business.gatech.edu.

Safeguarding of the Institute’s Assets
Rebates or refunds from vendors shall be the property of the Institute and shall be paid promptly into the Institute’s accounts. 

• Criminal and consumer credit checks will be performed in accordance with BOR and DOAS policy. The Institute will ensure that the results of background checks are provided the privacy protections required by law. 

• New cardholders, including Fed Ex “Ghost” cardholders, are required to have criminal and consumer credit checks prior to being issued a PCard. Employees with an existing criminal check on file will only need the credit check.
• Existing cardholders, including Fed Ex “Ghost” cardholders, as of July 1, 2008 are required to have a criminal check prior to issuance of the renewal PCard - if they do not have one on file. 

• Cardholders will be required to personally reimburse the Institute for purchases made that are not appropriately documented.  Approving officials may be required to reimburse the Institute if the approving official approved the purchase. 

• Habitual loss of receipts/documentation may require personal reimbursement by the cardholder and/or approver and may also result in termination of the PCard.   

• Items of value purchased for distribution to students are allowed only in support of the educational objectives of the Institute.  Additionally, the cardholder must maintain sufficient documentation so as to identify the individual receiving an item.  The requirement to track individual recipients does not apply to items of de minimis value. 

• Departments must ensure that PCards are promptly cancelled upon employee transfer or termination.

Card Issuance
PCards may be issued to “permanent, regular-status” employees only. No student employees or Tech Temps may be issued cards.

• Authorization - A PCard Request Form is completed by/for the employee and then signed by Department Head or PCard Coordinator to indicate authorization, cardholder spending limits, and cost allocation information. Spending limits should be determined based on the cardholder’s job responsibilities, anticipated card usage levels, historical spending patterns, and budget limitations. The completed form with the required signatures is submitted to PCard Administration, who will order the card from the bank and maintain the form in a cardholder file.

• Distribution - PCard Administration will notify the cardholder and appropriate PCard Coordinator when the card has been received. Cards will be distributed to employees after completion of appropriate background checks, cardholder training and submission of the signed Employee Agreement Form.

• PCard Administration will review cardholder accounts annually to identify and close unused or low-usage cards for which there is no longer a business need.

Card Limits
PCard - Since Georgia Tech, not the individual employee, will pay for the purchases made with the card, additional controls have been added to the card accounts. These limits are imposed at the point of sale when the card is swiped.

• Institute Limits - The PCard may be used for purchases not to exceed the Institute maximum limits of $4,999.99 per transaction and $2,999.99 for inventoried equipment. The standard monthly dollar limit is $25,000. There are no further Institute cardholder spending limits. The cardholder’s Department Head or PCard Coordinator, however, may identify additional limits based on card usage and budget limitations. These limits should be noted on the approved Request Form and kept in the cardholder’s file.
  
  
• Increased Limit PCards may be used by department buyers and other specifically designated and pre-approved cardholders for purchases up to $100,000 on an as needed basis. Requests for transaction limits greater than $4,999.99 must be approved by the Department Head and submitted to the PCard Program Manager for review and approval. The PCard Program Manager will coordinate with the State Cards Program Manager when an exception to State PCard Policy is required. Increased Limit cards may not be used to circumvent the State’s no-bid limit.

• Cardholder Spending Limits - Adjustable limits per card are:

       Dollar amount limit per transaction
       Dollar amount limit per cycle (month)

• Changes to Limits - Requests for changes to card limits should be submitted by the Department Head or PCard Coordinator via email to PCard Administration. In an emergency or time sensitive situation, the request may be verbal with a follow up email confirmation. Change requests will be kept in the cardholder’s file.
  
  
• Merchant Activity Type Limits - Specific types of businesses identified by a Merchant Category Code (MCC) are restricted on the card. If you have difficulty using your card with any particular vendor, please contact your department PCard Coordinator or the PCard Help Desk.

• Policy - In addition to the limits that are controlled at the point of sale by the card, Georgia Tech limits the use of the card through policy. The card may be used only for purchases that are made under delegated authority or items exempt from review and approval by the Purchasing Department.

Authorized Uses of PCards
All purchases made with a PCard must be for official Institute business.  Cardholders and approving officials are designated as Institute purchasing agents and are subject to the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 45-10-1 et.seq. (State Employee Code of Ethics, Conflicts of Interest, etc.). 

The PCard may be used for:

• Equipment: Single units under $3,000.
  
  
• Supplies, Materials, and Services may be purchased for less than $5,000.  The Institute will monitor activity for purchases for the same supplies, materials, or services from the same vendor so as not to exceed $5,000 per year unless competitively procured as detailed in DOAS regulations and BOR policies and procedures.  Supplies and materials purchased may also include items purchased for resale.
  
  
• Purchases from properly established Statewide and Agency Contracts are permitted. 
  
  
• Conference Registration Fees for Institute personnel on official Institute business with the requirement that employees not request reimbursement for meals paid with the conference registration fees.
  
  
• Departments must ensure that conference registration fees for employees paid pursuant to this section are recorded as required by Institute Travel Regulations.  Departments should require employees to capture the aforementioned registration expenses on the employee’s travel expense statement. Care should be taken to ensure that the employee clearly identifies those items paid with the PCard versus those items requiring reimbursement.
  
  
• Student food, student travel, and food for instructional uses is permitted as outlined in the Institute Business and Finance Manual (BFM) Sections 5.2.1.9 and 6.16 subject to documentation requirements outlined in this policy.  Additionally, food purchased for sponsored research use as approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is permitted.
  
  
• Employee food may be purchased with a PCard only when an employee is participating in a Group Meal or an on-campus academic program/on-campus sanctioned event as described in BFM Section 5.2.1.9. Employees participating in off-campus events or in a travel status must request reimbursement. 
  
  
• Repairs and maintenance are authorized for Institute vehicles.  All costs associated with vehicle repair and maintenance must be reported in accordance with DOAS fleet management regulations using the Maximo system. 

Prohibited Uses of PCards
The PCard may not be used for: 

• Personal items.  The use of the PCard for personal expenditures is strictly prohibited.  Cardholders who violate this rule must reimburse these funds and, if the violation is determined to be intentional, they may be subject to both the loss of employment and criminal penalties.

• Employee Travel expenses (lodging, transportation, meals).
  
  
• Entertainment expenses.
  
  
• Alcoholic beverages or tobacco products.
  
  
• Motor vehicle fuel (except for authorized rental vehicles for official student program group travel).
  
  
• Professional services as listed in BOR Business Procedures Manual (BPM) Section 3.1.2 including certified public accountancy, architecture, professional engineering, doctors & registered nurses, lawyers, and veterinary medicine.
  
  
• Gift cards, funding the BuzzCard, stored value cards, prepaid cards, calling cards, gift certificates, or other cash equivalent items.
  
  
• Food except as authorized under BFM Section 5.2.1.9.
  
  
• Cash advances, cash refunds, or “store credit.”
  
  
• Memberships and/or fees to wholesale shopping clubs or “warehouse type” retailers.
  
  
• Agency (funds held on deposit) or affiliated organization expenditures except as permitted for Study Abroad Programs as detailed in BPM Section 21.4.
  
  
• Purchases made from units of the Institute. No internal Institute charges are allowed on the PCard - this includes, but is not limited to, OIT printing services, Library, and Parking.

Please note: The PCard may be used for official Institute business at outsourced businesses including the GT Bookstore, VWR, and Sodexho (if card is approved for food purchases).

• Split purchases. Dividing one purchase into two or more to circumvent the single transaction limits and procurement requirements previously enumerated is not allowed. 
  
  
• Sales tax.  Sales tax should not be paid for purchases made from vendors within the State of Georgia using institutional funds.  Institutional funds used to further institutional business purposes are not subject to sales tax as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 48-8-3 (8).  Sales tax may be paid when required for vendors out of state.

Limitations on Vendors

• Cardholder must not make PCard purchases from vendors where the cardholder has a financial interest.
     
• Cardholder must not accept any gift or gratuity from any source when it is offered, or appears to be offered, to influence your decision-making regarding PCard purchases.

Cost Allocation
Each card will be assigned a default project ID and expense account number, as identified on the PCard Request Form, to which transactions will be automatically charged. The account number cannot default to a “generic” PCard general ledger expense account, as this is prohibited by the State Purchasing Card Policy. Charges must be redistributed to the appropriate general ledger expense account, as well as the appropriate Project ID if necessary, through the Institute’s web based redistribution system, Works PCard Manager (WPM). PCard transactions are loaded to WPM daily by the bank and remain available for review and redistribution for 7 calendar days before being posted to the General Ledger (GL). For example, transactions with a Bank Posted date of May 1st would be posted to the GL on May 8th. Changes identified after the transactions are posted to the GL may be accomplished via journal entry.

Training
Department PCard Coordinators are required to complete a formal training class before cards can be issued within the department and attend an annual refresher class thereafter.

• Cardholders are required to complete the “PCard Cardholder Training & Certification” online training tutorial prior to receiving a card.

• Cardholders are required to re-certify annually each January. Failure to re-certify will result in card suspension until the re-certification is completed.

• Departments should ensure that Approvers complete the “PCard Cardholder Training & Certification” online training tutorial initially and annually thereafter.

• Departments are responsible for ensuring Cardholders and Approvers are trained in internal departmental PCard policies and procedures.

• Departments should ensure that non-procurement personnel are acquainted with small value purchase procedures.

• Works PCard Manager redistribution system training is available online, to be used as needed.

Employee Agreement Form
Before being issued a PCard, a completed Employee Agreement Form, signed by the employee and Department Head or PCard Coordinator must be submitted to Business Services. By signing the form, the employee acknowledges:

• Receipt of training and understanding of the regulations for use and protection of card.
• Understanding of responsibilities in reconciliation process and billing disputes.
• Understanding and acceptance of consequences for PCard violations.

Department Responsibilities

• Ultimate responsibility for a department’s program resides with the Department Head.
  
  
• Department Head may delegate operational responsibility to a PCard Coordinator, but delegation does not relieve the Department Head of program responsibility.
  
  
• Designate unit program officials: Coordinators, Approvers, Cardholders
  
  
• Ensure internal procedures are in accordance with established Institute policy.
  
  
• Monitor department program for compliance - identify and address policy violations.
  
  
• Maintain written list of Approvers that identifies the Cardholders assigned to each.
  
  
• Establish coordination procedures between Cardholders, Approvers, and Coordinators to ensure timely reconciliation of bank statements and accountable documentation.
  
  
• Department Coordinators (or other department authorized designees) are required to verify via the on-line PCard Compliance Report that monthly PCard reconciliation packages, consisting of signed cardholder bank statements and appropriate accountable documentation, are complete and have been reviewed by the appropriate Approver.
  
  
• Establish redistribution procedures to ensure expenses are charged to the appropriate fund.
  
  
• Develop procedures to ensure the responsible budget holder is required to verify charges to sponsored accounts are appropriate.
  
  
• Ensure documentation is retained in accordance with Institute policy.
  
  
• Re-evaluate transaction and monthly (cycle) spending limits periodically.
  
  
• Review the ongoing business need for cards issued within the department annually.

Approver Responsibilities
Review and verify assigned cardholders PCard purchases.

• Ensure appropriateness of purchases to the best of their knowledge.
• Verify completeness of PCard documentation including signed & reconciled monthly bank statements and detailed back up documentation (receipts).
• Provide evidence of the review through a signature on the bank statement.
• Report cardholders’ monthly compliance status to unit Coordinator.

Cardholder Responsibilities
Georgia Tech follows the doctrine that the use of and responsibility for PCard procurements rest with the cardholder (employee). The cardholder is accountable for all transactions on their card. To reinforce the doctrine of cardholder accountability with departmental oversight of the PCard:

• The card is to be under the control of the cardholder.
• Card-sharing is prohibited. Cardholders may not lend their card or card number to anyone.
• Use of the card as a “departmental” or “checkout” card is prohibited.
• All cardholders are required to have training in the use of a PCard. Training deals with both card use and with delegated procurement responsibilities.
• PCard training specifically reiterates the cardholder’s responsibility and consequences of card misuse.
• PCard Coordinators are required to attend training on program specifics and requirements of departmental oversight on cardholder’s PCard procurements.
• Georgia Tech has implemented a web based interface, Works PCard Manager, that:
• Allows cardholders and coordinators to review PCard charges and reallocate project numbers and general ledger expense account numbers in near real time.
• Allows cardholders and coordinators to receive an email notification when a charge has been posted to their PCard account.
• Provides online management reporting capability on all PCard activity. Purchases may be tracked by unit, cardholder, merchant, project ID, and account number.

Card Security
The cardholder should use basic security measures, as outlined below, to prevent unauthorized use and limit the potential for fraud.

• Sign the card as soon as you receive it.
• Always keep PCards and account numbers in a secure place.
• Safeguard the PCard as you would your personal credit card.
• Be aware of your surroundings when using the card.
• Monitor card activity in Works PCard Manager.
• Reconcile monthly statements in a timely manner.

Lost or Stolen Cards
Lost, stolen, or fraudulently used PCards must be reported to the Bank of America at 1-888-449-2273 as soon as possible after of discovering the loss, theft, or fraudulent use.  The cardholder’s approving official and the PCard Coordinator must also be notified. Evidence of fraudulent use may be requested to include transaction detail. Lost or stolen cards require card cancellation. Failure to report the loss, theft, or fraudulent use of the PCard may result in increased financial loss to the institution.

• The PCard Coordinator has the responsibility for communicating the information to PCard Administration.

Surrendering the PCard

• The card is the property of State of Georgia. The cardholder is to surrender the card to the PCard Coordinator upon request, retirement, termination, or transfer to another department.
  
  
• The PCard Coordinator should destroy (cut up) the card and notify PCard Administration via email (or by phone with follow up email confirmation) to cancel the card.

Documentation Requirements
For each transaction, accountable documentation (i.e. a sales draft or receipt) must be obtained as proof of purchase. This documentation will later be used to verify the purchases shown on the cardholder memo statement issued at the end of the monthly billing cycle. The documentation must contain line item description and line item pricing for the purchase. The documentation should include:

• Vendor name
• Transaction amount
• Date of the purchase
• Itemized list of items purchased
• Other information as required by the department

If a sales draft or receipt does not provide a description, the cardholder should write the description on the document. For items such as subscriptions and registrations, where a receipt is not normally generated by the merchant, a copy of the ordering document may be used so long as it contains a description and price. Copies or facsimiles of the original receipt may be acceptable if the original is not available.
If the documentation for a transaction has been lost, it is the cardholder’s responsibility to obtain a duplicate from the vendor. If a duplicate cannot be obtained, the cardholder should complete the PCard receipt replacement form to serve as the documentation. The form should contain the itemized information for the transaction, as listed above, and describe the cardholder’s attempt to obtain a duplicate from the vendor. The receipt replacement form may only be used on an exception basis. Excessive use of receipt replacement form, defined as more than three times in one fiscal year, may result is suspension of card privileges.

Maintaining PCard Documentation

• Documentation should be retained in accordance with fund requirements - for a minimum of 7 years.
• The documentation must be retained under the control of the department business office - not the cardholder.
• The documentation must be made readily available for review/audit if requested.

Using the PCard - Making the Purchase
The PCard can be used to make purchases over the counter, by mail, by fax, by telephone, or by Internet at any vendor that accepts Visa. The following procedures should be followed for PCard purchases.


Obtain Best Value
When accepting a PCard, the cardholder becomes an authorized purchaser for the Institute with specific responsibilities for expending public funds. The cardholder should ensure the purchase is appropriate and in accordance with all Institute and State rules and regulations. Additionally, PCard purchases must comply with requirements of the Georgia Procurement Manual concerning Order of Precedence and Competitive Bidding. When purchasing goods or services, the order of precedence that should be followed in selecting the appropriate vendor is:

(1) Statewide Mandatory Contracts
(2) GT Agency Contracts
(3) Georgia Correctional or Georgia Enterprises, and then
(4) Statewide Convenience Contracts and the open market.

After verifying the item is not available on a Statewide or Agency contract, the cardholder must utilize lowest cost based on requirements, quality, and availability to obtain the maximum value of each dollar expended.    
Vary the suppliers to give fair treatment to all suppliers and to assure that the price obtained is reasonable. Transactions you make may be on behalf of Federal sponsors. Purchasing on behalf of government clients requires special sensitivity on the part of the purchaser to obtaining fair and reasonable prices, spreading purchases among many suppliers including small, small-disadvantaged, and women-owned businesses, and adhering to strict ethical conduct.

Sales/Use Tax
When using the PCard, the cardholder should inform the vendor that the purchase is for official State of Georgia purposes, and therefore, may not be subject to Georgia state or local sales tax. If requested by the vendor, cardholders must present an “AP - Sales & Use Tax Certificate of Exemption / Georgia Form”. The form is available online in the Forms section of the Business Services website at:      
         

If sales tax is erroneously charged by the vendor, cardholders should make every effort to obtain a credit directly from the vendor. Documentation of attempts to obtain credits should be maintained with the transaction documentation.
Please note: Sales tax may not be Disputed through the bank.

Making the Purchase - Over the Counter

• Verify that supplier accepts the Visa. (Note: If not and it is a supplier you will need for future purchases, notify PCard Administration.)       

• Provide the PCard for payment.       

• Inform the clerk that the purchase is for official State of Georgia purposes, and therefore, exempt from state and local sales tax. The PCard indicates sales tax exemption, but cardholder should verify that clerk does not charge sales tax.       

• Verify the dollar amount is correct and no sales tax has been included, then sign the sales draft.       

• Retain your copy of the sales draft and receipt. If the copy does not provide a description of item(s) being purchased, the cardholder should write the description on sales draft or receipt.       

• Follow PCard transaction/documentation process established by the department.

Making Purchase - Mail, Fax, Telephone, or Internet Orders

• Provide supplier with requested card information.       

• Inform supplier that the purchase is for official State of Georgia purposes, and therefore, exempt from state and local sales tax.       

• Give supplier detailed shipping instructions. It is recommended that you have the goods shipped directly to your campus address (this would normally be the cardholder’s Billing Address).  Please note: Goods should be shipped to official Georgia Tech business addresses only.       

• Retain documentation for purchase. Acceptable documentation includes: a copy of order form, copy of catalog page showing cost, or email/faxed order confirmation showing price along with packing slip, print out of the online order form, print out of the online order confirmation, or a print out of the e-mail confirmation.

Returning Purchases Made With PCard
If you determine that the material is defective or incorrect, notify the supplier that the item needs to be returned and request an address to ship to, and a Return Authorization Number. Request that the supplier process a credit transaction through the Card. Document that goods have been returned for credit and communicate information through proper channels within unit. Ensure that the credit appears on the next monthly statement. If not, process the charge as a Disputed Transaction.
It is a good practice to keep original boxes, containers, and special packaging until you are certain you are going to keep the goods. Some items must be returned in the original packaging.

Disputed Transactions
It is the cardholder’s responsibility to resolve discrepancies and ensure credits are received. When a cardholder discovers an incorrect amount has been charged for goods or services received, or a questionable purchase or transaction appears on a cardholder’s monthly statement, the cardholder must immediately seek to resolve the problem with the vendor. Any communications should be documented on the statement (or attachment) including dates, persons involved, and a brief description of the problem.

If the cardholder is unable to resolve the problem with the vendor, a PCard Dispute Form should be completed and faxed directly to Bank of America at the fax number on the form. The PCard Coordinator should be notified of the dispute and a copy of the dispute form should be attached to the monthly statement. The cardholder should check the following month’s statement to ensure that credit was received.
Please note: Disputes must be submitted within 60 days of the statement date.

Reconciling PCard Monthly Statement
A monthly memo statement will be generated by Bank of America and mailed to the cardholder. When the cardholder receives the statement, it must be reviewed and reconciled against the accountable documents retained from each transaction. If the cardholder believes a transaction listed on the statement is incorrect, then procedures outlined in the Disputed Transactions section should be followed.

The reconciled statements are to be signed by the cardholder and counter signed (verified) by the approver designated by the Department Head or PCard Coordinator. In no instance should the cardholder and approver be the same person, for signature purposes.

Cardholders must provide the monthly PCard reconciliation package, consisting of the signed bank statement and appropriate accountable documentation to their Approver within 20 days of the statement date. The Approver’s verification process must be completed in time for the Coordinator, or other department designee, to submit a status report on all card reconciliation packages to the PCard Program Manager via the on-line Monthly PCard Compliance report within 45 days of the statement date. In the event the coordinator is also a cardholder, the department must designate another employee to perform the reporting duties for the coordinator’s card. In no instance should a coordinator be allowed to approve or report on the compliance for their own card.  

Cardholder’s cards whose reconciliation packages are not reported as complete within the 45 day time-frame will be suspended. Repeated non-compliance will result in card cancellation. If a cardholder has multiple cards, all cards will be suspended/ cancelled. Cards will be suspended/ cancelled as follows:

• First Offense - PCard(s) suspended 7 days or until written notification (email is acceptable) is received that the reconciliation package is complete and the cardholder is in compliance, whichever is greater. PCard Coordinator notified of suspension.
  
  
• Second Offense - PCard(s) suspended 30 days or until written notification (email is acceptable) is received that the reconciliation package is complete and the cardholder is in compliance, whichever is greater. Cardholder must re-certify by completing the on-line “PCard Cardholder Training & Certification” tutorial. PCard Coordinator and Department Head notified of suspension.
  
  
• Third Offense - PCard(s) cancelled. Department Head may request cardholder be re-instated after 90 days provided written notification (email is acceptable) is received that all reconciliation packages are complete. Cardholder must re-certify by completing the on-line “PCard Cardholder Training & Certification” tutorial. PCard Coordinator, Department Head, and OHR notified of cancellation.
  Please note: In extenuating circumstances (such as extended travel, on leave, etc), departments may request that specific cards be exempted from suspension for a brief period.

Violations of Policy
Violations of rules governing use of PCards can be classified as minor or major. Violations are evaluated on an individual basis and any action taken is dependent upon the nature and frequency of the violation.

Minor Violations include honest mistakes, such as inadvertently using the wrong card; allowable purchases from Institute funds, but those which are not allowed on the P Card. Minor violations should be addressed as follows:
First Offense - The department is to address the violation with the cardholder and provide additional guidance as needed. Actions taken should be documented in writing with a copy sent to the PCard Program Manager.
Second Offense - PCard(s) may be suspended for 30 days. Cardholder must re-certify by completing the on-line “PCard Cardholder Training & Certification” tutorial. Department is to ensure that the PCard Program Manager and Department Head are notified.
Third Offense - PCard(s) may be cancelled. Department Head may request cardholder be re-instated after 90 days. Cardholder must re-certify by completing the on-line “PCard Cardholder Training & Certification” tutorial. Department is to ensure that the PCard Program Manager and Department Head are notified.

Major Violations are those violations that indicate a willful intent to disregard rules that results in cardholder misuse (i.e. would include knowingly making personal purchases). The circumstances of the violations will determine the appropriate action, which could include termination of employment and criminal penalties. When cardholder misuse is suspected, the department is to immediately notify the PCard Program Manager and the Director of Internal Auditing.
The PCard is to be suspended pending further review and investigation by Internal Auditing.

Georgia Tech employees can confidentially and anonymously report suspected PCard misuse to the Department of Internal Auditing Hotline at:

Reviews/Approvals
Monthly review and approval of PCard transactions is required at the department level. The Department Head/PCard Coordinator will determine who the reviewers will be for their departments.

• Departments are responsible for reviewing all transactions to:
• Ensure the appropriateness of purchases and funds being utilized.
• Verify the completeness of documentation (signed & reconciled statements, detailed receipts, disputed transactions).
• Identify any policy violations and take appropriate action.

Payment
Business Services will receive a consolidated monthly billing statement from Bank of America for all Institute cardholders. The statement will be reconciled and processed for payment, in accordance with a plan on file in Business Services.

Compliance Reviews
Transactions will be reviewed online in accordance with plans on file in Business Services and Internal Auditing. Cardholder files will be reviewed in accordance with a plan on file in Business Services. Internal Auditing periodically conducts on-site compliance reviews in each department. These visits will be designed to:

• Review departmental records and record keeping practices
• Monitor adherence to policy guidelines
• Identify opportunities for process enhancements
• Offer “best practice” procedures

Results of these reviews will be used to enhance Georgia Tech’s PCard processes and will be shared with the Department Heads.