Acquisition Card (ACARD) Introduction
Welcome to the Purchasing Department's ACARD Information Site.
ACARD Help Desk
(970)491-5752 or ACARD@purchasing.colostate.edu
Ordering on-line with your ACARD is easy! Click here for specific vendor information.
DEFINITION
The Acquisition Card Program (ACARD) is a purchasing method whereby users in the department are issued a MasterCard to make small non-recurring purchases under $3000.00.
BENEFITS
- Like any MasterCard, it is accepted by most merchants - worldwide!
- Great for phone orders, rush orders
- No waiting for prepayment checks
- Eliminates vendors calling about payment (vendors receive payment in a day or two)
- Cardholders shop for best pricing
- Reduction in number of checks written
OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM
- Each MasterCard has CSU name/logo plus the name of the cardholder (faculty/staff)
- Cardholder buys something with the card and gets a receipt
- Merchant sends transaction to bank (electronically) for collection
- Bank sends transaction data to CSU daily
- Transactions are fed into ACARD system (with default account/subcode)
- ACARD system sends email notification of each transaction to the cardholder, his/her approver, and assigned "reallocator".
- Meanwhile, cardholder notes accounting info on receipt and gives it to the assigned reallocator.
- Reallocator reviews transactions on ACARD system and receipt information to change account/subcode if necessary
- Reallocated transactions are fed to FRS nightly
- Transactions not reallocated will feed to FRS in default account/subcode at 10 days old
- Cardholders receive monthly statements, review, and sign
- Reallocators review statements and attach receipts
- Approvers review and sign statements
- Statements are filed in department
TIMETABLE FOR CSU IMPLEMENTATION
- Spring 2000 - Conduct pilot program with selected departments
- Summer 2000 - Evaluate results of pilot and prepare for full implementation
- Fall 2000 - Offer ACARD to entire University (Training will be required to receive a card).
