The Brown University Purchasing Card (PCard) program facilitates the procurement of low dollar value items. The PCard program eliminates most of the paperwork associated with University purchases that are less than $1,000 effective May 1, 2020.

Employees (full or part-time) who are authorized to purchase goods under $1,000 may request a PCard; however, individual departments can impose more restrictive requirements and limits. PCards are assigned to individuals. The individual whose name appears on the card is ultimately responsible for charges to that card. PCards are to be used by the person to whom it is issued. Sharing Purchasing Cards is prohibited.

Purchases made with the Brown PCard must only be for the use and benefit of the University. Misuse of the PCard may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Accounts Payable will suspend PCard privileges when policies and procedures are not followed including when the PCard is used for prohibited purchases, personal use, and/or the PCard is used for split transactions.

Purchasing Card - The Purchasing Card (PCard) is a MasterCard branded credit card that is accepted by most suppliers and merchants.

Business Purpose – The business purpose, which is defined as one that supports or advances the goals, objectives and mission of Brown, adequately describes the expense as a necessary, reasonable, and appropriate business expense for the University. The business purpose is the main intent of the business transaction; it is the reason why the transaction occurred.  It is a statement that includes who benefits from the purchase, what was purchased, and why the purchase was necessary.

Accountholder – The individual to whom the Purchasing Card is issued. The individual has ability to allocate the charges and assign the correct worktags in Workday.  

Approver – The individuals responsible for financial oversight and compliance with University purchasing guidelines. The approver will be the cost center manager of the cost center of the allocated charges.

WORKS – The Bank of America online system for reviewing historical Purchasing Card information prior to January 1, 2021. 

Responsibilities and Procedures

Requesting a Pcard

Complete a Purchasing Card application and have it authorized by your Department Head or the Department Manager). You may not approve your own PCard application. Submit the application to the PCard Administrator (pcard-administrator@brown.edu).

The PCard is issued by Accounts Payable upon the accountholder's completion of a mandatory training on PCard policies & procedures. The accountholder must also sign a Brown University Purchasing Agreement upon receipt of the card.

Accountholder Responsibilities

Accountholder responsibilities include safeguarding the PCard, purchasing appropriately, reviewing and monitoring transactions, maintaining receipts, and complying with additional grant and contract requirements. 

Card Protection

• The accountholder is responsible for safeguarding the card and is accountable for all purchases made using the card.
• Accountholders or designee must review and approve their purchasing card activity in Workday.   Accountholders should attach their receipts in Workday when verifying the PCard transactions.   
• Purchasing Cards may only be used by the designated accountholder. They may not be shared.
• Loss of the card must be immediately reported to both Bank of America and the Purchasing Card Administrator (pcard-administrator@brown.edu).
• The Purchasing Card must be returned to the Purchasing Card Administrator if the accountholder leaves Brown.
• The accountholder must promptly report fraudulent charges directly to Bank of America at 866-500-8262.  The Purchasing Card account number may not be saved on any personal online accounts.

Purchases and Receipt Tracking

• Maximum transaction limit for all items is $999.00, whether one item is purchased or multiple items are purchased.
• Splitting a purchasing transaction is prohibited. Split transactions occur when a single item costing more than the accountholder’s single transaction limit is broken into two or more transactions to bypass the policy on transaction limits. The accountholder is responsible for ensuring the vendor does not split a transaction greater than $999.00 into multiple smaller transactions.
• Receipts should be attached when verifying the transaction in Workdays.
  • For receipts that cannot be attached in Workday, the department must be kept a copy of the receipt for seven (7) years or 10 years after the end of the grant (of the purchase was funded on a grant)
  • Acceptable receipts for internet purchases include an e-mail confirmation, shopping cart list, or quote. The information on the receipt should match any packing slips received as well as the PCard charge.
  • For receipts not attached in Workday, must be logged on a transaction log.  Your manager will inform you of your department’s practice. (A sample transaction log can be found on the Forms & Instructions page on the Controller’s Office website)

Appropriate Purchases

• Gifts and Hospitality, in accordance with the University's Gifts & Hospitality Policy (requires a meals and hospitality form)
• Academic/classroom supplies not available through University resources
• Postage
• Books
• Express Postage
• Newspapers & Periodicals
• Dues & Professional Memberships
• Computing Supplies that are not available through strategic suppliers
• Software – OIT has previously completed a security review of the products listed on the Software And Services With Pre-Approved Risks web page. The Department agrees that it will only store data in these products at the approved security level noted on this page. If at any time the Department intends to store more sensitive data in these products, the Department agrees that an additional security review needs to be conducted. If the software purchase is not already on this page, then an initial OIT data security review is required prior to purchase. If you have questions regarding the data security review, please email OIT-Contract-Managers@brown.edu.
• Equipment Rental (other than vehicle rentals)
• Conference Registration Fees
• Zipcar, when using Zipcar department account
• Embarque Car Service
• Rail and Bus tickets for Faculty, Staff, and Students. Purchase must follow Brown's Travel policy and be properly documented.

*Note: Do not put travel transactions purchased on a PCard on the travel expense reimbursement form.

Prohibited Purchases

• Animals
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Any software or technology subject to the jurisdiction of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) - see the United States Munitions List*
• Cash Advances
• Cell phones / phone charges
• Computers
• Construction / Renovation
• Consulting Services
• Services 
• Gasoline
• Items that require additional review for  regulatory compliance
• Prohibited purchases in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act, Section 889**
• Items that are considered to be equipment
• Furniture
• Hazardous materials
• Restaurants
• Personal items
• Personal Memberships (personal memberships such as Amazon Prime, BJ's)
• Prescription drugs and controlled substances
• Radioactive Material
• Travel (except tickets for rail and bus)
• Vehicle Rentals  (except Zipcar when using a Zipcar departmental account
• Weapons and ammunition

Please note: The purchase of Gift Cards are allowable in specific circumstances that have been reviewed and approved in advance by the Accounts Payable Manager.

Gift cards may be purchased with the use of a PCard, please see “Allowable Purchases” within the Gift Card Policy for additional information.

* If you have any questions about the export control classification of the items you intend to purchase, you should contact Brown's export control officer.

** To comply with Section 889, the University may not provide the government or use any equipment, system, or service that uses telecommunications or surveillance equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, from the following companies/entities:

• Huawei Technologies Company
• Hytera Communications Corporation
• ZTE Corporation
• Hangzhou Hikvision Technology Company
• Dahua Technology Company
• Any subsidiary or affiliate of these companies/entities

See compliance notice

Grants and Contracts

• In addition to Purchasing Card policies, purchases for grants and contracts must adhere to all of the granting agency & OSP policies, restrictions and guidelines.
• If the purchase is charged to a grant, receipts must be kept the longer of seven (7) years or three (3) years following the final payment by the government.

Audit:  All transactions and related recordkeeping are subject to audit by Accounts Payable, Internal Audit, external auditors, and the Federal government.

Policy Violations 

The first violation for purchasing a prohibited item is temporary suspension of PCard privileges. The PCard purchasing privileges will be restored when the PCard holder reviews the PCard policy, takes the PCard training, and passes the PCard quiz.  A second violation is a 30 day suspension of PCard privileges. A third violation results in the permanent suspension of PCard privileges.    

Cost Center Manager Responsibilities

• The Purchasing Card must be destroyed if the accountholder leaves Brown.
• Review the purchasing card verification in Workday.  WORKS. Ensure all transactions are supported by receipts.
• Ensure hospitality purchases (flowers, gifts, etc.) have completed Meals and Hospitality Form attached to the receipt.

Accounts Payable Responsibilities 

• Process PCard applications.
• Cancel cards when no longer needed.
• Run reports for Procurement analysis.
• Review and approve use of PCard for special circumstances.

PCard privileges may be suspended when policies and procedures are not followed.