Wright State University
Policy number: 5001
Subject: Accounting Policies for Auxiliary Enterprises
Date issued: Revised/October 1991
Authority: Vice President for Business and Finance
5001.1 Definition of Auxiliary Enterprise
An auxiliary enterprise is an accounting entity which
exists to furnish goods or services to students, faculty, or staff and which
charges a fee directly related to, although not necessarily equal to, the costs
of the goods or services. The distinguishing characteristic of an auxiliary
enterprise is that it is managed essentially as, and intended to be, a self-supporting
activity.
5001.2 Wright State University Auxiliary Enterprises (September 1991)
- Child development center (Mini University, Inc.)
- Main campus bookstore (Barnes & Noble Bookstore Company)
- Ervin J. Nutter Center
- Food service (Service America Corporation)
- Intercollegiate athletics
- Lake Campus bookstore
- On-campus housing
- University Center
- Vending operations
5001.3 Accounting Policies for Auxiliary Enterprises
- Each auxiliary enterprise will be accounted for separately on the accrual
basis, (i.e., revenue is recorded when earned and expenses recorded when
incurred), regardless of when, whether, or how much cash has been received
or paid.
- Each auxiliary enterprise will normally establish an auxiliary fund balance
which may be used for the following purposes: unbudgeted expenditures, equipment
and furnishings replacements, and new acquisitions of equipment and furnishings.
- Each auxiliary enterprise's auxiliary fund balance will retain its separate
accounting identity and will be reported separately.
- The designated responsible parties, with respect to each auxiliary enterprise
budget, and the appropriate vice president will receive annual reports on
accumulated auxiliary fund balances.
- The designated responsible parties, with respect to each auxiliary enterprise
budget, and the appropriate vice president must authorize any major expenditure
($10,000 or more) which would result in a draw against auxiliary fund balances.
- At the end of each fiscal year, the excess of income and subsidies over
expenditures will accrue as an addition to each respective auxiliary enterprise's
auxiliary fund balance.
- At the end of each fiscal year, deficits in excess of expenditures over
income and subsidies will be charged against each respective auxiliary enterprise's
auxiliary fund balance.
- With respect to the auxiliary enterprises that receive nonmandatory transfer
payments from the general fund, these transfer payments will not be considered
as amounts necessary to cover operating budget deficits, but rather as operating
budget subsidies from the general fund.
- Each auxiliary enterprise will be allocated indirect costs as specified
by the Uniform Manual of Accounting for
Higher Education, State of Ohio.
- Each auxiliary enterprise will earn all interest income that the university
generates from the investment of its auxiliary's excess cash, and this interest
income will be credited as an addition to the auxiliary fund balance.
- Likewise, each auxiliary enterprise will pay interest on funds borrowed
from the university, unless designated as exempted by the president.
- Using auxiliary fund balances for purposes other than their designated
purposes must be with the concurrence of the president in consultation with
the appropriate vice presidents.