Expenditure Guidelines Matrix

This matrix is intended to assist the user in identifying the appropriate method of payment for common university expenditures. For more information, contact the Accounts Payable, Expenditure Review Services, University Contracts, or University Purchasing groups. All standing UAB contracts must be observed.

The source of funding must always be considered when determining whether an expenditure will be allowable. Certain Contracts or Grants may prohibit some of the expense categories listed below. Categories that are designated as "Non-UAB Source of Funds" must be paid using a funding source other than UAB funds.



CategoryTransaction TypeMethod of PaymentAlternate Payment MethodContract RequiredNotes
AdvertisementsRecruiting, Display Ad, Outdoor, Billboard, Television, Radio, Internet, Newspaper, Magazine, JournalsPayment RequestP-CardYes*Should be paid directly to the vendor *Must comply with appropriate Advertising guidelines *Contract required regardless of dollar amount
AdvertisementsBranding/ Logo Design ServicesPayment RequestPO Requisition, P-CardYes*Contract required regardless of dollar amount
Air ChartersAir Charters*Contract required regardless of dollar amount *See Chartered Aircraft policy
Air FareAir FareP-Card*Must comply with University Travel policies
Alcohol and Related ExpensesExpenses related to Alcohol, Bartenders, Bar Sets, Corkage Fees, Associated Gratuity, etc.Non-UAB Source of Funds*SeeBusiness Meals Policy
Alterations & MonogrammingAlterations & MonogrammingPO RequisitionP-Card*Must comply withUniform Policy
AppliancesCoffee pots, Refrigerators, Microwaves, Ice machinesPO RequisitionP-Card*Allowable when needed for research or instructional
Awards & Recognition (UAB employee and related to University Employment)Plaques to be placed in public space on campusPO RequisitionPayment Request, P-Card*Must identify room/ area will it be displayed
Awards & Recognition (UAB employee and related to University Employment)For employee to keepNon-UAB Source of Funds
Awards & Prizes (Non- UAB employee)Incentive programs, Student awardsPayment RequestPO Requisition, P-Card
BooksBooksPO RequisitionPayment Request, P-Card*Must be for lab/office for reference purposes
Bus ChartersBus Charters PO RequisitionPayment Request, P-CardYes*SeeCharter Bus Services
Business MealsOff campus restaurant meals involving individuals from outside UABPayment RequestP-Card*Alcohol related expenses cannot be reimbursed *See Entertainment Guidelines
CardsHoliday/Greeting CardsP-Card*Refer to Promotional Item policy
CateringCatering for public conferences, seminars, workshops, or continuing education classes. Produced by UAB primarily for external participants.Payment RequestP-Card*Event Pre-Approval Formrequired *Contract required for services over $10,000 *See Entertainment Guidelines
Cellular Phones & ServiceCellular Phones & Service*Must contact Telecommunications
CertificationsCertificationsPayment RequestP-Card*Must be required for official UAB job responsibilities *See Licenses and Certifications
Clothing and/or UniformsClothing and/or UniformsPO RequisitionP-CardYes*SeeUniform Policy
Computers (Desktop, Laptop, Tablets, Peripherals)Non-Data Planned DevicesPO RequisitionPayment Request, P-CardYes*See Buying: Computers
Computers (Desktop, Laptop, Tablets, Peripherals)Data Planned DevicesP-CardYes*Must go through Communications
Conference and Seminar Meeting RoomsMeeting room(s) booked at a hotel with audio visual and/or presentation equipment for University hosted eventsPayment RequestP-CardYes*Event Pre-Approval Form required *Contract required *See Entertainment Guidelines
Conference Registration FeesPaid directly to conference vendorPayment RequestP-Card*Foreign Conf/ Meeting requiresInternational Travel Approval Formto be provided
Conference Registration FeesReimbursement to employeePayment Request*Must be reimbursed after travel has occurred unless there was not any travel associated *Foreign Conf/ Meeting requires International Travel Approval Form to be provided
Consulting ServicesIndividualPayment Request*Personal Services Form Required *Contract Required if fee is to exceed $10,000 *See University Contracts
Consulting ServicesCompanyPayment RequestP-Card*Contract Required if fee is to exceed $10,000 *See University Contracts
CopyingOn CampusJournal Entry/Departmental Transfer
CopyingOff CampusPayment RequestP-Card
Decorations and Party SuppliesDecorations and Party SuppliesNon-UAB Source of FundsP-Card
Donations, Contributions, and SponsorshipsDonations, Contributions, and SponsorshipsNon-UAB Source of Funds
EngravingEngravingPayment Request or Non-UAB Source of FundsP-Card*Only engraving for Institutional Awards can be paid with UAB funds
EquipmentNon- Capital ($0-$4,999 per piece for university purchases; $0- $1,999 for hospital purchases)PO RequisitionP-Card*Quote required in the backup documentation
EquipmentCapital ($5,000 ? for university purchases; $2,000 ? for hospital purchases)PO Requisition*Quote required in the backup documentation *Equipment Purchase Information Form required *Certificate of Screening Required (Grant accounts only) *If $15,000 ?, Sole Source Justification Form Required (unless purchased from UAB)
Event Charges (Table Rentals, Booth Rentals, Electrical/Data Connections, Catering, Rental of Equipment)UAB Sponsored EventPayment RequestP-Card*Quote required in the backup documentation *Equipment Purchase Information Form required *Certificate of Screening Required (Grant accounts only) *If $15,000 ?, Sole Source Justification Form Required (unless purchased from UAB)
Event Charges (Table Rentals, Booth Rentals, Electrical/Data Connections, Catering, Rental of Equipment)Non-UAB Sponsored EventPayment RequestP-Card*Event Pre-Approval FormRequired *Contract Required *See Entertainment Guidelines
Express Mail ServicesPackages, OvernightPayment RequestP-Card
Flower ArrangementsMajor Institutional FunctionsPayment RequestP-Card*Such as Graduation, Honors Convocation, and Ticketed Events
Flower ArrangementsCongratulatory, Funeral, Illness, Administrative Professional's Day, etc.Non-UAB Source of Funds
Food Items in BulkGroceries purchased for research purposes onlyPO RequisitionPayment Request, P-Card
FurnishingsOffice Accessories for Public Areas (ex. Lamps, Art work, etc. for reception areas)PO RequisitionPayment Request, Journal Entry/ Departmental Transfer, P-Card
FurnishingsOffice Accessories for Private Areas (ex. Art work, etc. for private offices)Non-UAB Source of Funds*Exception for Desk Lamps
Incidental Meeting RefreshmentsHeld on campus and participants are all UAB affiliated (internal training classes, seminars, workshops, etc.)Payment RequestP-Card*See Entertainment Guidelines
Lease & Rental of EquipmentLease & Rental of EquipmentPO RequisitionP-Card*Should be paid directly to the vendor *See Lease and Lease/Purchase Policy (Inventory Life section)
Lease & Rental of Real EstateLease & Rental of Real EstatePO RequisitionPayment Request*Should be paid directly to the vendor *Must be handled through Real Estate Services
LicensesLicensesPayment RequestP-Card*Must be required for official UAB job responsibilities *See License/Certification policy
LodgingIntra-State Employee TravelPayment RequestP-Card*Subject to In-State Per diem *See In-State Travel
LodgingOut-of-State Employee TravelPayment RequestP-Card*Subject to UAB accountable travel plan *See Out-of-State Travel
LodgingGuest Speakers, Independent contractors, RecruitsPO RequisitionPayment Request, P-Card*Only for lodging in Birmingham unless a Master Agreement with the hotel has been routed through University Contracts *See Travel Policies
Maintenance or Service AgreementsMaintenance or Service AgreementsPO RequisitionPayment Request*Must be routed through University Contracts
Meals (excluding catering)Intra-State Employee TravelPayment RequestP-Card*Subject to In-State Per diem *See Associated Travel Guidelines
Meals (excluding catering)Out-of-State Employee TravelPayment RequestP-Card*Subject to UAB accountable travel plan *See Associated Travel Guidelines
Meals (excluding catering)Business Meals (must include non-UAB individuals)Payment RequestP-Card*See University Entertainment Guidelines
Meals (excluding catering)RecruitmentPayment RequestP-Card*See University Entertainment Guidelines
Membership DuesMembership DuesPayment RequestP-Card*Organization must provide services related to the duties of the individual *See Membership and Dues Guidelines
Mini Storage for University Owned ItemsMini Storage for University Owned ItemsPayment RequestP-Card*Should be paid directly to vendor *Must have a contract that is routed through University Contracts
Moving/Relocation ExpensesMoving CompanyPO RequisitionP-CardYes*See list of Contracted Vendors *See University Moving Policy
Moving/Relocation ExpensesPayment to Employee*Must be paid through Payroll as additional compensation *See University Moving Policy
Office SuppliesOffice SuppliesPO RequisitionPayment Request, P-CardYes*See list of Contracted Vendors
Passports (includes passport photos)Passports (includes passport photos)*Prohibited *See University Travel Guidelines
Parts for In-House RepairsParts for In-House RepairsPO RequisitionPayment Request, P-Card
PostageRegular PostagePayment RequestP-Card
PostageBulk MailJournal Entry/Departmental Transfer
Professional Services Contractual AgreementsProfessional Services Contractual AgreementsPayment RequestSee Consulting Services *Must be routed through University Contracts *Contract required if over $10,00 *See Personal Services Policy
Promotional ItemsPromotional ItemsP-Card (preferred) or Purchase OrderP-Card*Should be paid directly to the vendor *Must have a UAB logo *Must be under $25 per item *See promotional items policy
Refreshments (Coffee, cream, sugar, soft drinks, water, cups, napkins, etc.)Consumed by UAB employeesNon-UAB Source of Funds
Refreshments (Coffee, cream, sugar, soft drinks, water, cups, napkins, etc.)Covered by Entertainment Guidelines (with an acceptable UAB business purpose)PO RequisitionP-Card*See Entertainment Policy
Repair of EquipmentRepair of EquipmentPO RequisitionPayment Request, P-Card
RetreatsFaculty/StaffPayment RequestP-Card*Requires Prior Approval *See Faculty/Staff Retreat Policy
Scholarships or FellowshipsScholarships or FellowshipsPayment Request*Must be processed through Student Accounting
SignageSignagePO RequisitionJournal Entry/Departmental Transfer, P-Card
SoftwareOff the shelf, not requiring a signed license agreementPO RequisitionP-CardYes
SoftwareRequiring signed End-User License Agreement (EULA) and/or Terms and Conditions referenced on quotePO Requisition*Must be routed through University Contracts
Speakers & LecturersSpeakers & LecturersPayment Request*Must complete and route a Personal Services Form *Contract required for services over $10,000
SubscriptionsJournals, Periodicals, etcPayment RequestP-Card*Only allowable for patient waiting rooms or lab/office
TelephonesDesk Phones*Complete Telecommunications Ticket
Vehicle RentalsOff-Campus Vendor (Local)PO RequisitionP-CardYes*Must complete Car/Van Rental Form
Vehicle RentalsOff-Campus Vendor (Out-of-State)Payment RequestP-Card*See UAB travel policies
VehiclesVehiclesPO Requisition*Must complete Vehicle Purchasing Form *See policy on Vehicle Purchases
Visas for International TravelVisas for International TravelPayment RequestP-Card*International Travel Approval Form must be provided *See University Travel policies
Website DevelopmentWebsite DevelopmentPayment RequestP-Card*See World Wide Web Pages Policy
Website Domain FeesWebsite Domain FeesPayment RequestP-Card*See World Wide Web Pages Policy