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What's New
Per Diems make a partial return - September 21, 2012
Following a clarification of provincial regulations, McMaster's Reimbursements to Individuals for University Business policy is changing to allow the use of per diems in some circumstances.
Per diems for meals and incidentals were eliminated on May 1, 2012 in accordance with provincial legislation and the Broader Public Sector Expenses Directive. (A per diem provides a specified amount of money per day for meal or incidental expenses with no requirement for receipts).
Since then Financial Affairs has obtained a written clarification from the province that allows per diems from non-Province of Ontario Funds. Specifically, expenses charged to accounts may use per diems if there is sufficient non-operating (Province of Ontario funds) to cover the per diems. Notably, funding from the Tri-Council agencies may be used for per diem expenses.In general, the Directives apply to accounts that receive their base funding allocation from Provincial sources; therefore, most Operating accounts may not be used to pay for per diem expenses.
It is the responsibility of researchers to ensure that they spend research funds in accordance with the rules laid out by their granting agency. If you are unclear about the terms of a specific grant, talk to your research accountant.
The changes to the policy are detailed in the revised version of the Reimbursements to Individuals for University Business policy and companion procedures guide which comes into effect on October 1, 2012.
If you have questions about this change contact Terri Wetton, Senior Manager, Accounts Payable (wetton@mcmaster.ca). Further regular updates will occur each January for matters such as our kilometre reimbursement.
ECR (Electronic Cheque Requisitions) Upgrades –March 2, 2009
Based on user feedback, the Electronic Cheque Requisition System has received a facelift. It will now let you know the approval status of your cheque requisition. For those users who use the Cheque Requisition system for payments to individuals, the screens now incorporate the Independent Contractor guidelines.
If you are a regular user of the Cheque Requisition System, we think you will find
these changes quite straight-forward. We have provided a high level summary and screen shots of the changes. Please click on http://www.mcmaster.ca/bms/pdf/cheqreqguide.pdf to review the summary.
For those individuals who wish more detailed information, short half hour training sessions will be held as outlined below:
In the afternoon of Thursday February 26, 2009, Room DTC 211 and all day Friday February 27, 2009, Room DTC 146. Start times for the morning sessions are: 9:00 am/9:45 am/10:30 am/11:15am and afternoon sessions are: 1:00 pm/1:45 pm/2:30 pm/3:15 pm. Please contact Kelly Fisher at finserv@mcmaster.ca , supplying name, contact information, date and session preference by noon on
Wednesday February 25, 2009.
If you are not currently a user but wish to use the system please click HERE
to sign up for the next regular training session (March 27, 2009).
Additional information is available from Wetton@mcmaster.ca or daleyc@mcmaster.ca
New BMS Surplus Auction Test Site Now Live
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 23, 2008
In January 2007, the University updated and posted its policy for Independent Contractors. By May 1, 2008 departments were advised that all independent contractors were to have the new contracts in place by September 1, 2008. We are now ready to move to the 3rd phase of implementing this policy...
Business Management Services is pleased to announce the launch of a new McMaster University Surplus Auction web site.
The new site, hosted by BMS Purchasing Resources and built in collaboration with Media Production Services, is now live and will feature its first on-line auction
beginning early February. It will allow McMaster departments and faculties to post surplus university items to auction and McMaster personnel to bid on them. Sample listings are presently posted.
Lilian Scime, Assistant Vice-President (Administration) is excited about this project. “This is not only an opportunity for departments and faculties to place items for sale that are no longer required, but for the entire McMaster community to support
reusing and recycling,” states Lilian. “This site has been months in development and
we decided to launch this beta (test) version now to support the sustainability
efforts of the university. We urge McMaster personnel to register and place useful, functional items up for bid and for other individuals to scout the site for items that they can put to use.”
The site can be found linked from the BMS web site’s Purchasing Resources Surplus Equipment page or by clicking here (http://auction.mcmaster.ca).
To view the full press release, click here.
Payments to Individuals (Independent Contractor vs. Employee) REVISED (Simplified) Procedure for those under $5000:
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 23, 2008
In January 2007, the University updated and posted its policy for Independent Contractors. By May 1, 2008 departments were advised that all independent contractors were to have the new contracts in place by September 1, 2008. We are now ready to move to the 3rd phase of implementing this policy...
McMaster Welcomes AMERICAN EXPRESS
On behalf of the Payment Processing Steering Committee please read the attached memo regarding changes to payment processing across the university...
June 2008 Clarification on ICQ Procedure
Payments to Individuals
(Independent Contractor vs. Employee)
With respect to the new ICQ process, there are a number of recurring problems that are slowing down processing time.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE of the comments...
Year End Salary (VIP) Accruals
With the implementation of the new payroll system (VIP), additional entries will be recorded in individual departmental accounts. These entries will be completed by Financial Services for the 1st preliminary statements.
- the final pay for faculty & staff posted to April 2008 is for the 2 weeks ending April 19th.
- accruals for the 8 business days between April 20 and April 30th will be accrued to each department’s account for faculty and staff.
- another journal entry will be recorded by departmental account to reverse the 2007 salary accrual.
- the result of these journal entries is approximately 1 fiscal year of salaries by departmental account.
McMaster adopts a "Socially Responsible Purchasing" policy
A code of Labour Practices for McMaster University suppliers and licensees has been approved by McMaster University. At present this code applies to McMaster suppliers and licensees involved in the production, distribution, and/or sale of Apparel as well as Apparel and Non-apparel products bearing the name, logo, image or trademark of McMaster University. For more, click here.