Questions regarding this chapter should be directed to the following: | ||
---|---|---|
Asset and Inventory Mailbox | osc.assets@ct.gov | |
Elizabeth Daly, CPPA | 860-702-3436 | elizabeth.l.daly@ct.gov |
Fiscal Policy Statewide Services | 860-702-3440 |
Property represents the largest category of investment made by the State of Connecticut. The state's inventory includes assets ranging from land, buildings, inventory, artwork, furnishings and equipment to automobiles, boats, railcars, airplanes and livestock. Despite its importance, however, property control is sometimes a low priority for State agencies. Many agencies face severe staff limitations in this area. In an era of tight budgets and limited personnel, other pressing needs have made property control a lower priority. However, limited staff and tight budgets are two very good reasons why property control policies need to be updated and improved.
Property control procedures can save the State a substantial amount of money in a number of ways, including averting equipment loss and theft, by helping agencies avoid unnecessary purchases, and by helping to lower the State's insurance premiums.
Approved System
All state agencies with the exception of Legislative Management, Judicial
Branch, the Community Colleges, the State Universities and the University of
Connecticut are required to use the Core-CT Asset Management Module as their
property control system to record and control all property owned by and/or in
the custody of a State agency. Agencies with inventory that meets the
capitalization threshold may choose to use the Core-CT Inventory Module.
Approval of Office of the State Comptroller
Written approval must be secured from the Office of the State Comptroller's
Fiscal Policy Statewide Services Unit before a system is selected by an agency
exempt from using the Core-CT Asset Management Module. Written approval must
also be secured from the Office of the State Comptroller's Fiscal Policy
Statewide Services Unit for any inventory system, including the Core-CT
Inventory Module. This also applies to changes from one property control system
to another. Office of the State Comptroller's Fiscal Policy Statewide Services
Unit is available for assistance and consultation relative to the various
systems available.
Types of Systems
There are two basic types of systems, software packages and agency developed
automated systems, either type may be used. There are many software packages
available that are inexpensive and can establish or enhance a property records
control system. Established software packages provide the benefits of learning
from the experience of others in already proven property records systems. They
feature report writers that permit users to generate their own special reports
with little or no programmer assistance. Agency developed automated systems are
also acceptable.
The property system must include a control account for each reportable category on the Form CO-59, Asset Management/Inventory Report/GAAP Reporting Form and a detailed subsidiary record for each individual item in the category. The subsidiary records must be reconciled with the control account. Subsidiary records must be maintained by location regardless of the type of property system selected. The Property System must be reconciled annually with the respective official records maintained by the Office of the State Comptroller, and/or other sources such as the State and Federal Property Distribution Center (PDC). The Property Control System will provide for the establishment of record retention and record destruction schedules.
The Property Control System (Assets and Inventory)
The main purpose of the property control system is to help ensure that the
State's property is acquired, managed and disposed of in the best interest of
the State and its citizens. This mission is promoted through the development and
maintenance of adequate accounting and property records both at the State and
agency level. Such records are an essential tool for management in its effort to
make sound decisions based on timely and accurate information.
Management must review the status of items stored at off-site premises (exclusive of computerized backup) and ensure there is a formal plan to utilize the items at the agency within a reasonable period of time.
Excess levels of all property should be avoided because State property should be productive and utilized. Property not being used during a reasonable period of time is comparable to cash being maintained in non-interest bearing accounts. Items without immediate use should be declared surplus. Storage costs should be eliminated for items stored off-site that do not have an identified use to the agency.
The following property management techniques should be considered:
Asset Management System
An effective asset management system requires:
Tagging Personal Property
All assets must have a unique identification. Tagging each asset is the most
common way to identify an asset. The primary purpose of tagging is to maintain a
unique identification number for each asset owned by the State.
Tagging is important for:
Tag Information
The tag should provide a unique number and the property owner's name (agency
name). The format of the tag used serves the primary purposes of identification;
therefore, the number should be the predominant feature on the tag. The
numbering sequence utilized should be a simple, consecutive series of numbers.
Numbers should be assigned in consecutive order without regard to asset type or
location. However, agencies may designate different color tags and/or a specific
series of identification numbers for different asset types, if desired.
The consecutive numbering allows each asset item to carry a unique number throughout its entire life regardless of change in location, responsible person, or other data elements assigned to the asset item, until such asset is retired or disposed of. Once disposition has occurred, the number is retired. The retired identification number should be maintained in a history file for three years after disposition for audit trail control purposes.
Items incapable of receiving a physical tag will be assigned a unique tag identification number for control purposes. These types of untaggable assets include heat-sensitive or finely-tuned equipment items for which physical tagging would be impractical or would otherwise alter the item's usefulness. The unused tags should be stored in an agency logbook or otherwise controlled to avoid duplicate use of tag numbers.
Use of serial numbers in lieu of tags is not recommended, however, in certain instances may be reasonable and is not specifically disallowed. Serial numbers can be recorded to support the inventory tag number.
Types of Tags
No single statewide identification tag is mandated for inventory purposes.
Agencies may continue to use current tag formats as long as the following
tagging procedures are met. There are several options for identifying assets and
are listed below.
When to Tag
As soon as each item is received and accepted, an identification number must be
assigned, recorded on the receiving report or other source document and marked.
Who Should Tag
Who assigns the tag number and who does the tagging varies from State agency to
State agency. Since property recordkeeping normally is the responsibility of the
accounting department, this department might assign the number and tag any new
assets. The individual responsible for maintaining the asset records should
supervise this operation to insure compliance with requirements.
Where to Tag
The placement of the tag is important. It is important to know where to find a
tag when verifying the asset to the property control record. For some items
there is no good place to put tags. Tags must be placed consistently and they
must be accessible. The tag should be placed in an area where the number can be
seen easily and identified without disturbing the operation of the item. This
placement will allow for easy periodic inventory taking.
Inventory Management System
The items stored collectively must meet the capital threshold. The storage area
must be secured. An agency must perform a cost evaluation to determine if it is
beneficial to retain inventory. In other words, is the benefit of storing the
inventory worth the cost? The following should be included in the cost
evaluation: The staff time involved, personnel costs, overhead costs of the
storage area, are among the costs that should be considered before establishing
an inventory.
An effective inventory management system requires:
Managing Inventory Levels
Inventory is an asset that must be more closely guarded because inventory, if
not managed properly, can lead to excessive spending. The best way to view
inventory is to think of it as cash, an asset of the State. The State manages
cash by ensuring it is adequately safeguarded and maintained in accounts that
maximize earning power. Cash is not maintained as dormant so inventory should
not be considered dormant either. Keep in mind, excess inventory levels should
be avoided. Inventory items not being used during a reasonable period of time
wastes State funds that could be used elsewhere.
Safeguarding Inventory
Safeguarding the inventory items is important to prevent theft and loss of State
property that must be replaced by expending additional State funds. Review the
adequacy of existing physical safeguards designed to protect State property that
is under your responsibility. Appropriate safeguards should be implemented to
prevent potential losses.
Property Record (Assets and Inventory)
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