1. Purchasing 4000 1234 5678 9010 For Official Use Only
12/17
Norma Little
DFA/Office of State Procurement

2. With Freedom Comes Responsibility
All state agency employees MUST attend OSP-directed P-card training before receiving a p-card.

3. P-Cards What is a p-card?
It is a Visa card provided by US Bank. These cards allow delegated employees to purchase goods, services for state entities, colleges and universities.
The card is issued in the employee’s name and the employee is responsible for the security of the card(s) and the transactions on the card.
The Purchasing Cards are for
Official State Business Only.

4. Benefits of using a P-Card
Time Savings
Receive goods faster
Less time than going through processes of purchasing department.
Fewer checks written
Increased Vendor Selection
They are a VISA card, not store branded
Can shop online
NO Purchase Order required
Vendors get their money within hours
You will be able to obtain various supplies and some services directly from vendors without using a purchase order. This streamlines the purchasing process and can help improve turnaround time on receipt of your order. It significantly reduces the workload and processing costs related to the purchase and payment of supplies. In addition, it expands your purchasing options by utilizing many businesses that would not accept a purchase order but would take a VISA credit card. 5

5. Benefits of P-Card (cont.)
Paper Savings to BRTC
Only one invoice per month
Only one check per month
Online reporting capability
Purchasing Control
Per month spending limit (per individual)
Per transaction spending limit
Block vendors based on MCC numbers
Access to cardholder account via the internet 6

6. How Do I Use the Card
Arkansas State Procurement Laws apply to the to the use of the p-card.  Rules and procedures specific to BRTC MUST also be followed.
Every P-Card purchase MUST be documented on the standard purchase request form with all the approval signatures BRTC requires. Indicate in RED at the top of the form “PCARD” to alert purchasing.
The P-card is just like a regular credit card. The use of the p-card is an agency liability, not a personal liability for the cardholder, your CREDIT rating will not be affected in any way.
You understand the intent of the program and agree to follow the established guidelines as listed in the Purchasing Card Manual.

7. What is an MCC Number/Code?
The P-Card blocks specific categories of merchants via MCC Numbers
What is an MCC Number/Code?
A Merchant Category Code (MCC) is a four-digit number used by the bankcard industry to classify suppliers into market segments. There are approximately 600 MCCs that denote various types of business (e.g., 5111 Office Supplies, 7299 Dog Grooming Services, 5722 Household Appliance Stores).
The MCC is assigned by the Acquiring financial institution when a supplier first begins accepting Visa payment cards. The MCC is assigned based on the supplier’s primary line of business. For example, if a supplier primarily sells computers, it may be assigned MCC 5732 “Computer Hardware”. If a supplier primarily repairs computers, it may be assigned MCC 7379 “Computer Maintenance, Repair, and Services

8. “Non-allowed Charges for the P-Card”
Employee Travel related charges
Alcoholic Beverages
Vehicle Rentals
Printing - Amendment 54
ATM - Cash Advances
Gift Cards
Personal Purchases
Items on State Contract without vendor approval
Using automated monthly procedure to pay vendors
SPLIT PURCHASES – (A “split purchase” occurs when the total cost of a single purchase is broken up into multiple transactions with the express purpose of circumventing state bid requirements, monthly bid limits, or any other agency restriction.)
Any Purchase without Agency approval

9. Mandatory State Contract Items
Ammo Restroom supplies and paper goods Paper stock & Copy Paper Dairy Letterhead & Envelopes Fuel (with Fuel Card) Tires Light Bulbs
Mandatory State Contract Items

10. Over the counter (point of sale)
3/31/2017
Making a purchase
Over the counter (point of sale)
Fax
Telephone
Over the internet
You must have a detailed receipt for each store purchase, clearly identifying each item purchased 11
Georgia Health Sciences - P-Card Orientation

11. Circumstances for A Card to be Declined
Exceeding single transaction limit
Exceeding monthly limit
Blocked MCC You attempt to use the card for a blocked merchant category
Credit card is Not activated

12. Cardholder Responsibilities
Register your card on This gives the
cardholder the access to view and verify all transactions weekly.
You are responsible for the safekeeping of your p-card account
number.
Check your account transaction list weekly. If you suspect fraudulent
charges, contact your liaison immediately. (Betty White)
Obtain all original receipts and submit them with your purchase req form.
Every transaction (purchase) must have a p/r form.
As with every purchase, the p/r must indicate the specific department or
funding grant and the applicable account (i.e. office supplies,
instructional supplies).

15. Lost or stolen P-card The cardholder needs to contact US Bank immediately at and then contact your agency liaison, Betty White.

16. MISUSE OF CREDIT CARD
The p-card is a privilege granted to you by the State of Arkansas, and it is expected that you will use it responsibly.
The State will seek restitution for any inappropriate charges made to the p-card.
Fraudulent or intentional misuse of the card will result in revocation of the card and/or possible criminal charges, including termination.

17. Rebates, Refunds, Rewards, Gifts, Points, etc.
Any manufacturer rebates received by the Cardholder as results of a P-Card transaction shall be credited to the P-Card account. Documentation reflecting the transaction shall be submitted to the reviewer/accounts payable according to your agency policy.
Any rebates, coupons, rewards, gifts, points, frequent flyer miles, cash cards, etc. must accrue to the state entity and utilized only for official State business. No personal gain by making purchases with the State Purchasing Card is permitted. Misuse of this section could result in disciplinary action.

18. How Will My Credit Card Be Audited?
P-Card accounts are audited by Legislative, system auditors, by DFA/Office of State Procurement Credit Card Section, and by BRTC Fiscal personnel for compliance of the following :
Detailed receipts for charges and/or credits.
Have the charges and credits been approved?
Are items being purchased allowed by Procurement laws?
Is the charge being split in order to avoid the transaction limit on p-card?

19. For missing receipts, the first thing is to access this form, which is available on the Purchasing page of BRTC’s website. This will need to be attached to the p/r and transaction list every week. Fill it out completely and attach to the p/r and weekly transaction list.

20. TYPES OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Any violation of Arkansas P-Card Program policies is considered an “occurrence” which may result in disciplinary action. Types of disciplinary actions taken against a cardholder include, but are not limited to, the following:
Written warning
Suspend the usage of the P-Card for 90 days
Revoke p-card Privileges
Employment suspension/termination
Criminal charges filed with state and/or local authorities

21. Activating Your Credit Card
1. Dial
2. Listen and respond to each prompt
a. Enter your 16-digit account number
b. Enter your five digit Zip Code (Business Address)
c. To activate you account, Press 1
d. Key in the last four digits of your Social Security
number
e. Enter your business telephone number, beginning
with the area code
f. Your account has been successfully activated.
Note: If you have any problems activating your account
you will be transferred to a Customer Service Representative for personal assistance.

23. Questions

24. NEXT… Accessing and Monitoring your transactions ONLINE

25. Monthly Transaction Cycle
Begins on the 16th of each month and ends on the 15th of the next month unless the 15th falls on a weekend

26. US Bank Web address

27. Card Registration
Registering your card online with access.usbank.com – Gives you the cardholder the ability to view and track all your purchases.
Register Online

28. Online Registration Online Registration Instructions:
Organization Short name for The State of ARKANSAS is: STAR
Online Registration
Instructions:
Fill in each field with your account information.
Click the Register This Account button if you are registering one account.
Click the Additional Account button if you are registering more than one cardholder account. Complete that information, then click Register This Account.
The Licensing Agreement screen displays.
Tip! You must complete each field with a red asterisk.
Then click on register this account
Enter your Credit Card Number, Expiration and Zip Code
The “back to” feature in Access Online is at the bottom left corner on every page that has a back to previous page feature
1-9

29. Always read the Message from U. S. Bank after logging in
Always read the Message from U.S. Bank after logging in. From time to time US Bank is off line to maintain the system and update functions.

30. Viewing the transactions on your p-card account
Viewing the transactions on your p-card account. Click on Transaction List
Click on Transaction List 27

31. Posting date – when purchases are posted to the account
Trans date – when purchases were made
Posting date – when purchases are posted to the account

32. Tips Let us know as soon as possible of any
extended leave time (your card should be inactive)
circumstance which may put your p-card at risk for compromise
Please let us know of any comments or suggestions you may have. 36

33. State of Arkansas Purchasing Card Program
Credit Card Contacts:
Angie French – Purchasing X 4035
Betty White – LIASON X 4042
Darlene Hicks – State Credit Card Manager
Norma Little – State Credit Card Coordinator/Instructor