Credit Management for Research Receivables Procedures

All staff members at the University involved in raising invoices and credit notes, and the management of debtor accounts (except student debts which are managed by student administration).

This document accompanies the Credit Management for Research Receivables Policy. It provides specific instruction for the procedures to support the application of the policy document. It carries the same mandatory obligations and consequences as a policy document.

Approval of credit

Note: The decision to extend credit may only be made by those authorised in accordance with the Financial Delegations Policy.

1. Issues to be considered in making a decision to grant credit must include:

· the nature of the relationship between the University and the debtor

· the payment history of the debtor

· the amount involved (the minimum level of credit is $50)

2. Credit must not be extended to applicants who have a poor credit history. Credit may not be extended to applicants who have overdue debts with the University.

3. Credit checks must be carried out by the originating department, before a new debtor is created.

Refusal of further credit

4. Refusal of further credit must be applied with discretion, and will depend on the nature of the debtor, the value of their business, and how overdue the account is. All practical steps must be taken to manage the situation rather than lose a large account or unnecessarily offend a customer.

Terms of trade

5. The University's terms of trade are that payment must be made within 14 days of the invoice date.

6. For research receivables, this term will be managed between the Client/Funder and the Business Development Manager.

7. Variations to the standard terms of trade are subject to negotiation and must be clearly stated in the agreement or contract between the University and the external customer.

8. Direct credit is to be the preferred payment method for invoices. Where available, payment can be made by credit card.

Invoicing

9. All non-student related invoices are to be produced by the originating department using the Billing module in the financial system.

10. Interim accounts are to be sent for long term projects or contracts.

Note - This improves cash flow, and reduces the University's debt exposure.

11. The person producing the invoice is to check it for completeness and accuracy before finalising it in the Billing module of the financial system

Note - The PS Financials Billing and Accounts Receivable user guide provides detailed guidance on creating invoices.

GST

12. The University is legally required to charge GST on all invoices where applicable.

13. Faculties and Service Divisions are to quote prices as being GST exclusive in line with normal commercial practice.

Credit notes

14. A credit note is not to be given to write off a debt.

Note - Write-offs must be authorised in accordance with the Financial Delegations Policy.

15. All credit notes must be authorised by the designated approver for the billing business unit.

16. Credit notes are to be processed by the originating department using the billing module in the financial system. All supporting documents must be attached.

17. Credit notes may only be given in limited circumstances for example if an invoice has been incorrectly issued or the amount has been reduced by negotiation.

Collection of overdue accounts

Note - Follow-up action should be a continuous process commencing before an individual debt becomes overdue, rather than waiting for a particular time of the month for it to take place. The emphasis will be on personal contact with debtors and appropriate to the situation when an account is overdue.

18. Minimum debt amount to chase is $500 for private good. No change to public good debt minimum amount.

19. All collection actions are to be logged, including (as a minimum) the date and what was done. If a phone call was made, what was asked of the debtor and what their response was with regard to payment.

Note - The first collection action depends on the circumstances and nature of each debt and should occur at an appropriate point after the due date for the debt.

20. The objective of the first contact is to obtain a firm payment promise for a specified date from the debtor. The call is also an opportunity to ask the debtor if there are any factors relating to the account preventing payment, for example account errors.

21. The debtor should be asked to pay the portion of the account which is not under dispute. Reasons for non-payment of an account must be followed up and resolved promptly. The debtor should be advised once the issue has been resolved so that payment can be made.

22. If the account is still outstanding after the promised payment date, contact debtor reminding the debtor of their promise. The debtor should be advised that payment must be made to avoid referral to a debt collection agency and possible harm to their credit rating.

23. At the time of the second contact, a decision (based on the debtor's response) should be made whether to immediately send the delinquent account to a debt collection agency, whether to give another opportunity to pay based on another payment promise or whether to stop supply. Debtors should not be allowed to continue to make payment promises after it becomes obvious they will not be met.

24. In limited circumstances, automatic payment authorities can be set up under appropriate approval if a debtor cannot pay in full immediately. This would typically apply only to small debtors solely as an alternative to non-payment.

25. Month-end account statements can continue to be sent to debtors. However, care should be taken to ensure that any messages on them relating to the overdue portion of the account do not conflict with phone collection actions.

26. Accounts for which there is a reason for non-payment, for example query or awaiting a credit are to be flagged in the billing module of the financial system.

27. Collection action on these accounts is to be suspended pending resolution, but still need to be actively reviewed.

28. Accounts are to be referred to a debt collection agency as soon as it becomes apparent that the University's collection efforts are unsuccessful.

29. Bad debts are to be charged to the department that originated the bill.

The following definitions apply to this document:

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

Debtor is a party who owes money to the University

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

University means the University of Auckland and includes all subsidiaries.

Include the following:

• Credit Management Procedures
• Financial Delegations Policy
• PeopleSoft Financials Billing & Accounts Receivable User Guide

Owner: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations) 
Content manager: Chief Financial Officer 
Approved by: Vice-Chancellor
Date approved: 23 March 2018
Review date: 23 March 2023