Credit Management Policy

Application

This policy applies to all University staff members who are involved in raising invoices and credit notes, and the management of debtor accounts (except student debts which are managed by student administration).

Purpose

To provide a framework for accounts receivable and credit management within the University.

Introduction

The areas covered by this policy are the raising of invoices, credit notes, the payment of accounts, and collection of overdue accounts.

Policy

1. Payment for goods and services must be received before goods / services can be delivered unless credit terms have been granted.

2. Payment on credit terms is only allowed where payment cannot be obtained in advance and the debtor's credit credentials have been adequately established.

Note- In most cases this will be by credit reference checking.

3. Debtors must agree to this policy before they can be approved to trade with the University on credit terms.

4. In line with normal commercial practice, debtors are to be requested to provide a purchase order when purchasing goods and/or services from the University.

5. Credit is not normally extended to staff or students and will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

6. Further credit will not normally be given to a debtor whose account is overdue.

7. The Director of Faculty Finance and Finance Managers are responsible for all decisions to grant credit for goods and services supplied by their faculty/service division.

8. The University will charge for all goods and services supplied to students and third parties.

9. Credit notes can only be given in limited circumstances. They must be authorised by the designated approver for each billing business unit within the financial system.

10. The collection of overdue accounts will be performed by the originating faculty or service division. Financial services may assist the originating department to collect overdue debts.

11. The mandatory procedures that also form part of this policy appear in the related document Credit Management Procedures.

Definitions

The following definitions apply to this document:

Credit means deferred payment by a customer for the goods/services provided by the University.

Debtors is a party who owes money to the University.

Staff member refers to an individual employed by the University on a full, casual or part-time basis.

University means the University of Auckland and includes all subsidiaries.

Key relevant documents

Document management and control

Owner: Group Financial Controller
Content manager: Financial Services
Approved by: Vice-Chancellor
Date approved: 3 April 2014
Review date: 3 April 2019