Purchasing Card Program
The JPMorgan Chase Purchasing Card, a MasterCard product that is readily accepted by most suppliers, is one of several supply management business card programs that compliments the University’s primary buying method, the BEN Buys Purchasing System. The Purchasing Card Program is designed to streamline the purchasing of low cost and non-repetitive transactions in accordance with the program’s Commodity and Supplier Restrictions.
The Purchasing Card Program is available to faculty, staff and students who have been formally authorized by their School or Center Senior Financial Officer to be a delegated “departmental buyer” for the purchase of and pay for low cost and non-restricted commodities from non-restricted suppliers. Authorized purchasing card cardholders are required to attend a mandatory training session prior to receiving their purchasing card and bi-annual refresher training sessions.
Use of a Purchasing Card is a privilege granted by the Institution, and as such, will be revoked and disciplinary action taken in the event of abuse, inappropriate or fraudulent use, or failure to perform required program administrative duties.
About the Purchasing Card
Though it resembles and works like a personal credit card, there are significant differences with the Purchasing Card:
- It is a corporate purchasing charge card rather than a personal credit card.
- Full liability rests with the University for payment to the bank for all transactions.
- It is assigned by the bank to the University employee but is issued in the name of and on the behalf of the University.
- There is no impact on a cardholder’s personal credit history.
The Purchasing Card Program offers significant benefits to Penn and our suppliers.
Program Administration
The Purchasing Card Program is managed by Purchasing Services effective April 1, 2008.
Purchasing Card Administrator
Name: Mark West
Phone: 215-898-3606
E-mail: mkwest@upenn.edu
There are a number of guides and documents to help authorized cardholders use their purchasing card in accordance with University policies and procedures.
- Authorized Buying Methods
- Purchasing Card Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Financial Policy #2303 - Use of a Purchasing Card
- Commodity Matrix
- Purchasing Card Commodity and Supplier Restrictions
- Purchasing Card Roles and Responsibilities
- Audit Guidelines for Schools and Centers
- Utilization of Local Community & Diversity Owned Suppliers
Card Forms
Please check our Forms section for Purchasing Card forms.
Cardholder Training
New cardholder and refresher training is provided by the Financial Training Department.
- Training Courses (scroll down for Purchasing Card)
- Training Overview
- Purchasing Card Policies & Procedures Training Documentation
- Log on to Penn Knowledge Link
PaymentNet Application Management Tool
The JP Morgan Chase PaymentNet program management software provides School and Center senior management with additional tools and capabilities to more effectively manage cardholder spend, monitor overall purchase activity, risk, and compliance. PaymentNet provides many new benefits to both cardholders and administrators responsible for the management of the University’s card program.
