What is the difference between movable equipment and fixed equipment?
Fixed Equipment is permanently attached fixtures, machinery, and other appurtenances that cannot be removed without cutting into walls, ceilings, or floors or otherwise damaging the building. Movable equipment stands alone and can be moved without impacting the building. If you have any questions in determining whether an item is fixed or movable equipment, email Cost Accounting Services for help.
Why are some expense accounts used to account for equipment less than $5,000?
Although expense accounts such as "65002 - Other Equipment <$5000" does not fall within the definition of movable equipment, expense accounts were established to help departments account for similar University movable property.
What costs are included in the unit acquisition cost of movable equipment?
The net invoice price of the equipment including the cost of modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus necessary to make the equipment operable. Other charges such as the cost of installation, configuration, shipping/freight, handling, duty, and protective in-transit insurance, shall be included in determining the acquisition cost. Training, maintenance and warranties should not be included in the unit acquisition cost.
What if costs such as maintenance and warranties are included into one inclusive cost ("bundling") item on the supplier’s quote and the primary item meets the $5,000 minimum threshold?
For bundled costs, the entire cost can be charged to the unit acquisition cost of a movable equipment item. If any item is itemized with a separate cost on the quote, the item must be charged to the proper expense account. For example, if software maintenance is itemized separately, the cost of software maintenance would be charged to "65103 - Software Maintenance".
How important is selecting the purchasing category during the requisition process in accounting for movable equipment correctly?
It is very important. Expense accounts are assigned to each purchasing category. Determining which costs are included in the Unit Acquisition cost and whether the Unit Acquisition cost is equal or greater than $5,000 should occur before selecting the purchasing category. Any line items on a requisition which are included in the unit acquisition cost should have the same purchasing category.
What are common pitfalls to avoid during the submission of a requisition to buy movable equipment?
The most common oversight is not accurately determining which costs are included in the Unit Acquisition cost of a movable equipment item. When ordering multiple units of the same movable equipment item, the unit acquisition cost is critical in determining whether it meets the $5,000 threshold of movable equipment. Line items on a requisition which include costs of the unit acquisition cost such as shipping should have the same purchasing category.
May I use the University’s purchasing card program to purchase Movable Equipment?
No. Requisitions must be used to purchase movable equipment.
When are repairs and upgrades to an existing movable equipment item considered movable equipment?
When the value is $5,000 or more and the action extends the useful life of the original piece of equipment by one year or more, equipment repair, replacement, and upgrade costs will be included in the University's Asset Management System. A new asset will be created in the Asset Management system with a new asset ID and be classified as a component of the original movable equipment item.
May I trade in my existing equipment and use the proceeds to offset the purchase of new movable equipment?
Yes. Enter the asset tag number and the trade-in allowance amount on a line item in the requisition. In addition, email the model number, serial #, UVM Asset ID and a description of the trade-in equipment item to costacct@uvm.edu for audit trail purposes.
Is donated equipment addressed by the University's movable equipment policy?
Yes. For donated movable equipment, the department is responsible to follow the University’s gift acceptance guide as well as ensuring the equipment is sufficiently evaluated for correctness and completeness and is in good working order. The unit acquisition cost of the donated equipment will be the fair market value of the equipment at the date of the gift and must be greater than or equal to $5,000 to be considered movable equipment. Contact FCAS to tag any donated movable equipment items that have values which are equal or greater than $5,000.
Which department do I notify to tag a movable equipment item in my department?
FCAS oversees the University asset management database and is responsible for working with departments to apply a unique asset tag on each movable equipment item. All movable equipment items should have a visible asset tag unless agreed to by FCAS. Email costacct@uvm.edu to schedule a movable equipment item to be tagged.
What are the departmental responsibilities of assigned movable equipment?
See the Movable Equipment Policy.
When is the movable equipment inventory performed?
Movable equipment inventory is conducted via RFID scanning by FCAS. The plan is to conduct inventory on a rolling basis over two years. A schedule and the process are being planned now and will be communicated at a later time.
Do I need to do anything with movable equipment as part of the Space Inventory process?
No. If you find you need to move a piece of equipment to a different room or request a piece to be surplused or disposed of, please do not make any changes to the movable equipment in FAMIS. If you notice movable equipment inconsistencies, please notify FCAS while submitting your space inventory.
If you need to dispose of a piece of equipment, you should do so as usual. The department must submit a service request using the FAMIS Self Service system to request pick-up of surplus items. Surplus Property Program personnel will remove surplus property. Equipment over $5000 must also have a Surplus Disposal Form and should be submitted through FAMIS via a Service Request Number while the system is still available. After removal of the item, Surplus Property Program personnel will forward the original form and Asset Tag to the Controller’s Office to update the underlying asset records. Please do not delete equipment from your rooms in FAMIS.
What are the guidelines for transferring equipment?
There are four types of transfers that have different procedures. See the Movable Equipment Policy for guidance.
May I sell used movable equipment using on-line auction sites such as eBAY?
No. The University's appropriate disposal business procedures outlined by UVM's Surplus Disposal policy must be used.
May I donate movable equipment to an organization or employee?
Upon obtaining approval from the Surplus Property Program and the Controller, donating movable equipment including surplus computers to employees is allowable. Please refer to the UVM Surplus Disposal Policy for more details.