Receipt and Recordkeeping Requirements

Each cardholder should maintain files by billing cycle. Included in each electronic file should be itemized receipts/invoices/backup documentation, and the completed, electronically signed monthly activity report (MAR).

For each purchase, the cardholder must request a receipt or confirmation of the order and provide a detailed business purpose for the transaction. The business purpose is a statement that adequately describes why the expense is a necessary, reasonable, and appropriate business expense. When using University funds, documentation of a clear business purpose is required so that an approver, reviewer and/or auditor may reasonably conclude and agree that the expenditure supports or advances the goals, objectives, and mission of the University.

The business purpose should include:

Receipts for business meals or entertainment expenses must be itemized and accompanied by a list of attendees and an explanation of the business purpose.  See Entertainment/Business Meal Policy for more details.

Receipts are required as an internal control that helps substantiate transactions, are evidence that transactions are legitimate, and help prevent abusive practices. All receipts/invoices must include:

• the date of purchase
• vendor name and address
• detail listing of purchase, including item description, quantity, and price
• the total amount of the order
• shipping address

Examples of acceptable supporting documentation include, but are not limited to:

• Original sales receipt
• Original packing slip
• Original cash register receipt
• Copy of order form or application
• Email confirmation of internet order

The cardholder should add all shipping documentation to the transaction in OnBase as part of the backup documentation. Receipts for business meals or entertainment expenditures must be reasonable and must be managed in a prudent and fiscally responsible manner. Units are expected to operate within their approved budget and any allowable expense must be funded from within that approved budget. See Entertainment/Business Meal Policy for more details.

Policy for Missing Receipt:  When an original, itemized receipt is lost or otherwise unavailable and all measures to obtain a copy have been exhausted, the ProCard Missing Receipt Form should be completed.  It must be signed by the cardholder/responsible party and their supervisor.  This form should be retained with all other receipts, bank statements, and the transaction documentation in the monthly ProCard reconciliation file.  The ProCard Missing Receipt Form should be used on rare occasions and may not be used on a routine basis.  Excessive use of the ProCard Missing Receipt Form may result in the revocation of your ProCard. A pattern of missing receipts could be an indicator of fraud.

OnBase will retain electronically filed receipts and monthly activity report (MAR) for the current fiscal year plus 3 prior years. (Refer to the Controller's Office Retention of Records Policy for the archival period associated with grants and contracts.)