Washington State University
BUSINESS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

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Commercial Bank Accounts

The Director or the Associate Director of Business Services/ Controller must grant approval before a University department or organization may establish a commercial bank account for the deposit and disbursement of University monies.

See 30.02 for a definition of University monies.

Non-WSU accounts with commercial banks may not be established in the name of Washington State University, in the name of a University department, or use a Washington State University taxpayer identification number. See 35.10.

Since most University monies are accounted for by the Controller's Office, the approval of a commercial bank account is usually considered an exception to University policy. The following types of accounts are evaluated for approval.

Approval of a petty cash fund by the Director or the Associate Director of Business Services/Controller constitutes approval to open an in-state off-campus account if the fund amount exceeds $100. (SAAM 85.50.50.e) See 30.50. If the petty cash fund is to be maintained in an out-of-state or foreign bank, follow the standard approval procedure outlined below.

Nonstudent groups seeking approval for commercial checking accounts supported by Faculty, Student, and Alumni (FS&A) Accounts follow the standard approval procedure outlined below.

If a recognized student group with a FS&A account requires a commercial checking account, the group may petition the Union Board for permission to maintain an account with a commercial bank. If the board grants approval, the board proposes a minimum balance for the off-campus checking account and forwards the request to the Director or the Associate Director of Business Services/Controller for final approval.

The following types of University entities require out-of-state or foreign bank accounts.

• Foreign projects requiring funds for in-country disbursements.


• Out-of state research projects requiring wire transfers for project support.


• Faculty on sabbaticals requiring wire transfers for project support.

Due to a requirement for additional approval by the Washington State Public Deposit Protection Commission, request such accounts at least two months before the account is required. The Controller's Office coordinates commission approval.

The individual responsible for maintaining the account (fund custodian) completes and submits a Bank Account Request form. Print the blank master in the PDF version of 30.65.5 or complete onscreen and print to obtain supplies of the form.

Form sections are self-explanatory. Direct questions to the Controller's Office; telephone 335-2022. For sponsored accounts, contact the Sponsored Projects Finance Office; telephone 335-2058.

The individual requesting the out-of-state or foreign account is responsible for meeting the current Washington State Public Deposit Protection Commission requirements. (WAC 389-12-140)

At minimum, the requesting individual obtains the bank's most current public year-end and quarterly financial statements and submits them with the Bank Account Request form.

If the amount of deposit insurance provided by the bank is nonexistent, unavailable, or incomplete, the responsible department or college assumes liability for any losses.

The requesting individual initially submits the completed Bank Account Request and related documentation to the department chair and college dean for approval.

If an international project is involved, the requester submits the documentation to the International Programs Development Cooperation Office (IPDC).

If a student group with a FS&A account is requesting the bank account, the requester submits the documentation to the Union Board after approval by the group's advisor.

Final institutional approval is granted by the Director of Business Services/Controller.

After institutional approval has been granted, the Controller's Office sends requests for out-of-state and foreign accounts to the Washington State Public Deposit Protection Commission for final approval.

Even though a request has received University approval, the Washington State Public Deposit Protection Commission may deny final approval.

The unit administrator designates an employee to be responsible for maintaining and reconciling the account. Indicate the name of the fund custodian on the Bank Account Request form.

Notify the Controller's Office when the fund custodian changes.

The departing fund custodian reconciles the bank account prior to leaving.

The new fund custodian immediately reviews the reconciled bank account statement before accepting the account.

Deposits to a checking account are made only with drafts from the organization's or department's University account maintained by the Controller's Office.

Funds from other sources may not be commingled with the checking account monies.

Each month the organization sends a copy of the checking account statement to the Faculty/Student/Alumni Account bookkeeper in the CUB. The bookkeeper verifies that the maximum balance has not been exceeded and that deposits have been properly made.

The fund custodian is responsible for reconciling the bank statement each month.

The fund custodian sends a copy of the bank statement and reconciliation to the Controller's Office each month.

If a sponsored agreement is involved, send the bank statement directly to Sponsored Programs Services.

Only those individuals designated as authorized signatures on the Bank Account Request may sign checks.

Two authorized signatures are required to issue any check.

The Associate Vice President for Business and Finance recommends that each check written on the commercial bank account be signed by a student officer and the organization's advisor.

The fund custodian reconciles the account and writes a check payable to WSU for the remaining amount.

Deposit the remaining funds with the Controller's Office in an appropriate University account. See deposit procedures in 30.53.

Notify the Controller's Office in writing that the account has been closed and attach a copy of the final bank statement.

Also notify the FS&A Accounting Office in the CUB when closing a FS&A account.

Destroy unused numbered checks in accordance with state of Washington procedures. Contact the Internal Auditor, telephone 335-2001, for assistance.