[Plantsci] Wonderful Wednesday!

Wed Sep 27 11:47:00 MST 2023

Happy Wonderful Wednesday Everyone!

Lots to cover this week, as always - please reach out with any questions or concerns!

  1.  Object Codes for Research Expenses:  Attached is the summary of the most commonly used object codes for research purchases.  This is important information to use when ordering through BYWAYS to ensure the purchase is coded correctly for tax exemption purposes.  This is what we discussed at the faculty meeting.

  1.  New Student, Faculty, Staff Hires  - Lizeth Enriques created the attached information on the new hire process.  Please refer to this tool as needed to ensure a consistent and smooth hiring process.

  1.  Travel meal reimbursement per diem-  There are two methods of reimbursing travelers for meals.  One is via receipts and one is via meal per diem, cannot be a combination of the two methods.  Regardless of how much receipts total, travelers cannot be paid over the allowable per diem amount based on dates of travel and location.  That being said, I believe it is easier on everyone if the meal per diem method is used.  This would eliminate the whole need for collecting and submitting receipts that sometimes must be reduced due to unallowable purchases or tips paid out over the 20% limit.  It is up to each individual on how they want to be reimbursed and we will process reimbursements as submitted.

  1.  Account reviews-  This one is a doozy.  I have only a few meetings left that are scheduled.  As I mentioned at the staff/faculty meeting- the endeavor to meet with everyone and ensure the accounts are reflecting balances accurately was more complicated than I could ever have anticipated.  So far there hasn't been one person that I have met with that didn't have at least some issues, most had very many issues.  Identifying the issues and understanding from you what needs to be done is the first step.  Actually doing the work to correct everything (in many cases going back to FY2022) is next and it is going to take time.  I am prioritizing accounts that closed or will close between June and September.  I understand how important it is that nothing is left on the table and will ensure that doesn't happen.

  1.  October Account Reports- These will be coming out the second week of October.  This is to give Gaby and I time to get as many accounts updated on the report as possible prior to sending them out.  Any reports that are sent out without all updates completed will be noted on the report.

I want everyone to know that the business office is doing the very best they can with the workload we have.  In all honesty we are overwhelmed, and I am looking forward to getting the necessary training completed for existing staff and the addition of a student worker (Adamari was not replaced, nor was the accounting associate-Tahj).  Your team of 2 financial staff, 1 admin staff, 1 HR staff, supports around 149 staff and 178 students with 339 accounts between the UA and UA Foundation (this information per UA Analytics within the last week).  The transaction count for edocs in the financial system is 4073 (from Sept 2022-Sept 2023).  There is no way to measure the time that it takes to complete all these tasks as they vary depending on several factors. That is why it is so very important for us all to work together to find and utilize any efficiencies to better our productivity with the limited human resources that we have.  As the leader of this fantastic team,  I can't give you stats on what I do as I am involved in every aspect of what the team does as well as support the Department Head and the unit.  Just updating you on the state of the office as it were.

I hope everyone has an amazing Wonderful Wednesday!

Sincerely,

[The University of Arizona block 'A' logo.]
Leslie Bonilla
Manager, Finance and Administration
School of Plant Sciences
THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

Forbes, 303
1140 E South Campus Dr | TUCSON, AZ 85721
Office: 520-621-8689 |
lesliebonilla at .arizona.edu<mailto:lesliebonilla at .arizona.edu>
cals.arizona.edu/spls<https://cals.arizona.edu/spls>

[Integrity, Compassion, Exploration, Adaptation, Inclusion, Determination]<https://brand.arizona.edu/signature>

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