FOAPAL
The financial transactions of the university are recorded, classified and
summarized in Banner Finance through a grouping of data elements known as
FOAPAL. FOAPAL is an acronym. The data elements which comprise the
university’s Chart of Accounts are:
- Fund
- Organization
- Account
- Program
- Activity
- Location
Banner
F
O
A
P
Account:
What
Fund:
Where
Organization:
Who
A
Activity:
Not Used
Program:
Why
Further explanation of each element of FOAPAL is below
1
L
Location:
Used by
Fixed Assets
F und
This code represents WHERE the funds come from or the money source for the
administration of the programs and activities being undertaken by the university.
Categories of Funds:
As agreed upon by the UNC Alliance group, funds are classified under the following
categories:
-Unrestricted Funds
- Restricted Funds
-Auxiliary Funds
-Loan Funds
-Endowment Funds
-Agency Funds
-Elimination Funds
-Plant Funds
-Banks
Organization
This code identifies the hierarchical levels of organizational units within an
institution. This code represents the WHO is the responsible party (division,
department, section) for the administration of the funds, programs and activities
that pertain to a specific service provided by the university.
Note: The combination of the Fund Code and the Organization code are the
equivalent of the six digit FRS account number.
Account
This code identifies WHAT the funds are purchasing and represents objects such
as the general ledger accounts (assets, liabilities and fund balances) and the
operating ledger (income, expenditures and transfers). An account is a line item
with an institution’s financial structure. This is the equivalent of the 4 digit FRS
Object Code.
2
Program
This is a six character code that identifies WHY funds are being spent and
represent a function or a service being provided and enables the institution to
establish a method of classifying services, transactions and activities. The UNC
Alliance Group has agreed to follow the Program Code Definition established by
NACUBO.
NACUBO Program Categories
-Instruction
-Research
-Academic
Support
-Student Services
-Institutional Support
-Physical Plant
-Residential Services
-Auxiliary Services
Activity
This code is used to further define an object of expenditure.
Note: Fayetteville State does not currently utilize Activity Codes
Location
This code is used to identify the place where activities are being held or location
of fixed assets owned by university.
Note: Location is only utilized by the Fixed Assets Department
3