updated 7/09/08

Cornell University Policy Library -- Policy 3.7

ACCOUNTING SYSTEM

INTERIM POLICY


Volume 3, Financial Management
Chapter 7, Accounting
Responsible Executive: Vice President for Financial Affairs and University Controller
Responsible Office: University Accounting
Issued: February 1996
Revised: May 2001
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APPENDIX

Categorical Listing of Credit Object Codes

Object codes in this Section are organized into the following categories:

Serial and alphabetical lists of object codes appear elsewhere in the "Appendix" Section of this document.

Caution: Generally, only the first three digits of the object code are used for annual financial reporting. Departments may use any number in the fourth digit unless the university has defined a specific meaning for the fourth digit.

In this section most object codes are listed with an X in the fourth digit. See the "Appendix" Section of this document for the serial listing of object codes before assigning a fourth digit to any credit object code, to be certain it has not already been specifically defined by the university.



1. Allocations

Transactions using allocation object codes must be processed on a budget journal. The use of an allocation object code on a budget journal generates an automatic accounting entry in the same amount.




2. Appropriations, Government Agency

These codes identify funds received through government agencies. Use limited as noted in each explanation.




3. Budget Codes, Miscellaneous

Transactions using miscellaneous budget object codes must be processed on a budget journal.




4. Credits, Miscellaneous

These codes are used to record miscellaneous credits.




5. Loan Fund Codes

These codes are used to record activity in student and parent loan funds, (FND 1XX). Use limited to the Division of Financial Affairs.




6. Revenue, Enterprise

This series of codes is used to record revenue in Designated Fund Balance Accounts (FND 461), and in Enterprise and Service Fund Balance Accounts (FND 462).




7. Revenue, Gift

A gift is an irrevocable transfer of assets, without consideration, from one entity to another. Gifts may be in the form of cash, stocks, bonds, real property, and personal property such as works of art.

Gift funds may only be used for the purpose, program, or activity specified by the donor, if any (e.g., Financial Aid, Chemistry Department, College of Engineering). If none is specified, the funds are considered unrestricted and, unless there is an administrative limitation on the funds, are recorded as unrestricted, undesignated gift revenue.

All gifts received must be reported to the Alumni Affairs Records Office (PAR) for proper recording and acknowledgment. Any gift checks received should be sent to PAR, 55 Brown Road with a completed Standard Gift Information Form. PAR will credit the appropriate general ledger account (see University Policy 3.1, "Accepting University Gifts").

Caution: Clearance to use the fourth digit of the gift object code must be obtained from Alumni Affairs Records.




8. Revenue, Government Grant and Contract

These codes are used to record government grant and contract revenue. Use of these codes is limited to the Division of Financial Affairs.




9. Revenue, Grant and Contract

This series of codes is used to record various types of sponsored revenue received for work performed under sponsored agreements. Use limited to the Division of Financial Affairs.




10. Revenue, Investment Income

These codes indicate the earnings (net of expenses) or distribution of earnings from various investment pools.




11. Revenue, Miscellaneous Earnings and Transactions

This series of codes is used to record the various types of income earned by the university. This series also records miscellaneous transactions.




12. Revenue, Tuition and Fees

Various tuition and fee revenues are recorded using this code. If none of the specifically defined codes fit, code 1400 is used for tuition, and code 1440 for non-mandatory fees.




13. Transfer Codes, Credit

Transfer codes are used to record the movement of funds between accounts. The fund groups of the accounts involved dictate the transfer codes to be used. Transfer codes must be used on both sides of the transaction; a transfer to an account is balanced by a transfer from an account, and vice versa. Transfer object codes must not be used to correct expenses or revenues recorded in error. Corrections are made by adjusting the object codes and accounts erroneously assigned in the original transaction (see the "Correcting a Revenue Object" segment of this document).

Caution: Transfers to an account within the same fund group (e.g., designated to designated, enterprise to enterprise) use code 245X. Transfers to an account in a different fund group use codes as indicated below.

Caution: Current unrestricted funds cannot be transferred to restricted accounts.

Caution: Transfer codes cannot be used in state or federal appropriations accounts, fund groups 44X and 45X, respectively.


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