Cost Analysis
The UF Cost Analysis department oversees financial compliance and reporting for the University of Florida. It manages effort certification, space allocation surveys, Facilities & Administrative (F&A) rate proposals, and specialized cost reports to ensure accurate financial tracking and adherence to regulations.
Overview
The UF Cost Principles Policy ensures compliance with federal regulations for sponsored research funding. It follows OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and Cost Accounting Standards (CASB) to govern expenses, ensuring costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. The policy emphasizes consistent cost treatment, proper allocation, and adherence to UF’s Facilities & Administrative (F&A) rate recovery.
Cost Accounting Standards
The UF Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) ensure financial compliance for sponsored projects by following federal regulations, including 48 CFR 9905 and OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200). These standards require consistency in estimating, accumulating, and reporting costs, proper allocation of expenses, and appropriate treatment of unallowable costs. UF researchers must adhere to CAS policies when managing grant funds, ensuring costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable.
Indirect Costs
At the University of Florida, indirect costs, also known as Facilities & Administrative (F&A) costs, cover expenses that support research but cannot be directly attributed to a specific project. These costs include building maintenance, utilities, administrative support, and compliance services. UF applies federally negotiated F&A rates based on the type of sponsored activity, such as research, instruction, or other sponsored programs.
Disclosure (DS2) Statement and Specialized Reporting
The UF Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) tracks federal funds expended during the fiscal year, ensuring transparency and compliance with OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.510). Meanwhile, the UF Disclosure Statement outlines cost accounting practices to ensure proper allocation and financial reporting under OMB Circular 2 CFR 200.419, helping UF maintain accountability in managing federal research funding.
Effort Reporting & MyUFL Commitments
The UF Effort Reporting and Commitments process ensures that faculty and staff accurately track and certify the time spent on sponsored research, instruction, and administrative activities. Effort reporting is required to comply with federal regulations (2 CFR 200.430) and UF policies, ensuring that salaries and wages charged to grants reflect actual work performed.
Space Allocation
The UF Space Allocation process is an annual effort to collect data on how university buildings and rooms are utilized. The University of Florida uses the Space Inventory and Allocation System (SPIN) to track room usage, department assignments, and occupancy details. This data helps UF develop its Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Rate Proposal, optimize space efficiency, and comply with federal and state guidelines.
