FAQs

1. Tracking our unit's equipment through Banner Fixed Assets and our biennial inventory is a lot of work. Why do we have to do this?

This tracking, though inconvenient, is extremely important for several reasons:

• System policy requires that each unit be responsible for the equipment in its custody. State law (Illinois Property Control Act) also requires responsible equipment control.
• Equipment records are part of system overhead (used in calculating the facilities and administrative (F&A) rate), the indirect cost we charge sponsored projects. If our calculation is wrong, it could cost the system money.
• Tracking equipment is required under the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
• It is part of system financial statements that are used to calculate our credit score. The system’s credit score affects our bond rating, which then affects our ability to raise money.

By following consistent accounting principles it is possible to compare one unit to another and our University to other universities. It helps us assess our general financial health.

2. We just bought a new computer and I'm trying to process it in FABweb, but FABweb isn't displaying the computer in the list of new acquisitions to be processed. What's wrong and how do I fix it?

If all information was not correctly entered when the item was purchased (for example, an incorrect equipment account code), Banner Fixed Assets will not recognize the purchase as equipment to be displayed in FABweb. Some additional common reasons the item may not display are:

• Invoice not paid
• Equipment was paid for from an organization code you do not have permission to view

For additional troubleshooting information, consult FABweb Common Issues: Acquisitions.

3. Who owns the equipment in our unit?

The equipment in your unit is owned by the State of Illinois because the system is an agency of the state. The only exceptions to this are equipment bought by and titled to an employee or project sponsor. If sponsored funds were used to purchase an item, the sponsor may choose to give title to the University or retain it themselves.

4. If equipment is owned by a project sponsor or loaned to us from another University, is it processed differently?

Once the unit receives equipment, it must be entered into FABweb as a non-cash addition. From that point on, it will be treated no differently than system- or university-owned equipment. It will be included in your monthly report and biennial inventory.

Equipment that is titled to an outside agency may not be attached to property not owned by the same sponsor. It must not be altered in such a way as to lose its "identity" or purpose. See Sponsor-Titled Equipment in 12.1.7 Affix Property Labels.

5. I am the property accounting unit contact for a self-supporting activity that sells items. I'm overwhelmed at the thought of keeping track of our "for sale" inventory as part of our unit's biennial inventory of our equipment.

Your unit's resale inventory differs completely from the biennial inventory for equipment used to conduct your day-to-day business activities. Equipment is tracked in Banner Fixed Asset. Inventory for resale should never be in, nor should it be added to Banner Fixed Assets. For more information on inventory of merchandise for resale, see 5 Receivables.

6. We have several pieces of equipment that are unneeded. However, they have been categorized as antiques. Is there a special process for disposing of antiques?

Contact University Property Accounting and Reporting (UPAR) before doing anything further. Special rules apply to disposing of antiques and works of art. The Director of the State Department of Central Management Services (CMS) determines their final disposition.

7. We cannot locate some rather valuable equipment and suspect it has been stolen. What should we do?

If you know the item has gone missing recently, contact your university police. Give the police a complete description of the equipment, including the manufacturer's serial number. If you are not sure how long the equipment has been missing, do a thorough search. Depending on whether the item was lost or stolen, consult the procedures in 12.4.1 Remove Stolen Equipment from Inventory or 12.4.6 Process Unlocatable Equipment.

8. What are some important differences about tracking equipment in sponsored projects?

Some common equipment procedures require additional steps when equipment is part of a sponsored project. You must know who holds the title for equipment in order to dispose of or transfer it properly. You can identify the title holder by viewing the Title To Field in the FFIMAST form in Banner Fixed Assets. Sponsored project equipment can be titled to the federal government (F), the State of Illinois (S), or a corporation or other institution (O). To dispose of federally-titled equipment, contact your university’s sponsored programs Grants office. See 12.3.4 Transfer Sponsored Equipment to Another University, 12.3.6 Loan Equipment to Another Institution, 12.4.3 Dispose of Unneeded Equipment.

9. What should I do when sponsored equipment has been brought to our campus from another institution?

First, confirm that both the system and/or university and the other institution have approved the transfer. Even if the other institution retains title, that equipment is still the responsibility of the university and/or system. The items must be added to Banner Fixed Asset. Follow the procedure to 12.1.9 Add Donated, Found, and Other Non-Cash Addition Equipment to FABweb.

10. We are working with Purchasing to enter into a lease agreement. They are asking for paperwork we've never had to submit before. Why is this transaction different?

The system follows the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) accounting practices guidelines for leases and financed installment purchases. Therefore, financed purchases and leases are entered differently in Banner. University Property Accounting and Reporting (UPAR) capitalizes these agreements depending on the type of agreement as defined and required in GASB's standards.