Financial Roles at the University

Initiator/Requester

An individual who requests or initiates an event that results in a financial transaction. They are responsible for conducting activities and events within the boundaries of compliance with University policies and procedures and funding agency restrictions. Any University employee has the potential to be an initiator.

Preparer

An individual who prepares, codes, reviews, and/or processes sponsored and nonsponsored transactions in compliance with University policies and procedures and funding agency restrictions. They also resolve discrepancies and prepare some reports.

Approver

An individual who reviews and approves sponsored and nonsponsored accounting transactions to ensure compliance with University policies and procedures and funding agency restrictions. They also identify problems and ensure resolutions.

Fiscal Monitor

An individual responsible for policy interpretation and implementation for a department (or collegiate unit or higher). They manage sponsored and nonsponsored accounting and the fiscal operations of a department (or collegiate unit or higher) in compliance with University policies and procedures and funding agency restrictions.

Principal Investigator/Project Manager

An individual who provides leadership for a research grant and/or a subunit within a department by managing, problem solving, ensuring compliance with policies, and monitoring budgets.

Academic/Administrative Head

An individual who provides leadership for the unit and the University in general. They participate in policy formation and ensure policy implementation for their unit. They are also responsible for their unit’s overall financial management.