General Records Retention Schedule

Financial Records
UW-GS 6

(Revised) August 2007

Use the letters below to jump to that section of the list.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


-A-


Airbills for Expedited Mail Service Carrier: Acts as receipt for use of express mailing services such as Federal Express, Airborne Express, etc.

Official Copy: Mailing Services
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: Any Office
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Animal Request/Order Forms: Requests for the purchase of animals to be used in research.

Official Copy: Department of Comparative Medicine
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: Any Ordering Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred


Audit Reports -- Internal Auditor: Documentation of findings reported as a result of an audit by UW Internal Audit.

Official Copy: UW Internal Auditor
Retention: 6 years after administrative purpose served
Disposition Method: Transfer to Archives

Other Copy: Any Audited Office
Retention: 3 years after resolution of audit issues
Disposition Method: Shred


Audit Reports -- State or Independent Auditor: Documentation of findings reported as a result of an audit by the State Auditor or by an independent auditing firm.

Official Copy: Any Audited Office
Retention: 6 years after resolution of audit issues
Disposition Method: Transfer to Archives


-B-


Bank Records: A record of transactions with a bank. May include deposit slips, cash register or adding machine tapes attached to bank-validated deposit tickets, monthly statements, etc.

Official Copy: Payables Administration, or Departments with Direct Deposit
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: UWT: Finance Department: Cashier
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: UWB: Finance and Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred


Bid Documents: A record of proposals from vendors or consultants for services or supplies, in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ) or Request for Information (RFI). May include RFP's, RFQ's, RFI's, awarded or denied bids, bid evaluation forms, correspondence, etc.

Official Copy: Purchasing
Retention: 6 years after file closed
Disposition Method Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 1 year after award of bid
Disposition Method: Recycle


Billing Source Documents: Documentation used by UW Recharge/Cost/Service Centers (e.g., University Stores, Mailing Services, Motor Pool, Physical Plant, Publications Services, University Temporary Services, Telecommunications, etc.) to prepare Cost Transfer Invoices (CTIs), Internal Sales Documents (ISDs), recharge documents, journal vouchers, or invoices for the purpose of charging other budgets or non-UW entities for services or supplies. May describe, in greater detail than billing document, the service or supplies provided. May include work orders, service requests, logs of goods/services provided, etc.

Official Copy: Any Issuing Office
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: Any Receiving Office
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Budget Activity Reports (BARs): Report budget revenue and expenditures for a single month.

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: Considered a duplicate; may be disposed of as soon as they have served their reference purpose if not used for oversight or reconciliation activity
Disposition Method: Recycle


Budget Number Requests: Provides a record of requests by an office to establish a new budget number.

Official Copy: Budget Office
Retention: 6 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 1 year after budget closed
Disposition Method: Recycle


Budget Preparation Files/Working Papers: Document departmental budget planning process for a biennial budget proposal. May include correspondence, reports, statistics, etc.

Official Copy: Any Office
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Transfer to Archives for review


Budget Requests -- Final: A record of the final biennial budget request from Deans, Vice Provosts or Vice Presidents.

Official Copy: Budget Office
Retention: 4 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Transfer to Archives

Other Copy: Deans' or Vice Presidents' Offices
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Transfer to Archives


Budget Revision Documentation: A record of requests for adjustments in the final budget proposal. May include Request for Budget Revision, correspondence and related supporting papers.

Official Copy: Budget Office
Retention: 4 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: Deans' or Vice Presidents' Offices
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Budget Signature Cards: A record of individuals authorized to make purchases on a specific budget.

Official Copy: Any Office
Retention: 6 years after termination of authorization
Disposition Method: Shred


Budget Status Report (BSRs): Summarize budget revenue and expenditures cumulatively from biennium beginning to current month.

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: Considered a duplicate; may be disposed of as soon as they have served their reference purpose
Disposition Method: Recycle


Budget Status Summary Reports (BSSRs): Cumulative monthly summaries of financial activity from the beginning of a biennium to the current month at the subsidiary ledger level.

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: Considered a duplicate; may be disposed of as soon as they have served their reference purpose
Disposition Method: Recycle


-C-


Cash Register Tapes: Chronological record of cash/credit card transactions at each register.

Official Copy: Cost Centers
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: UWB: Finance and Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred


Cash Transmittals: Report currency and checks transferred from a UW department to Student Accounts: Cashier's Office, or directly to the bank (Direct Deposit), and credited to UW budgets.

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Official Copy: Student Accounts: Cashier's Office
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Official Copy: UWB: Finance and Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Check Requests: Requests for a check to be written by Payables Administration. Includes name of recipient, reason for payment, amount, approval signature, check number, date account charged, etc.

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: UWB: Finance and Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred


Collections Files: A record of efforts to collect payment on outstanding invoices or on checks returned because of insufficient funds (NSF). May include collection letters, correspondence with collection agency, logs of collections actions, lists of uncollectable accounts, Aging Reports, etc.

Official Copy: Housing & Food Services: Financial Services, or any office authorized to maintain its own billing/collection system
Retention: 6 years after debt paid or determined uncollectable
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: UWB: Finance and Administration
Retention: 6 years after debt paid or determined uncollectable
Disposition Method: Shred


Consolidated Budget Status Report: Monthly report which consolidates department state-funded budget information. Provides a cumulative summary of financial status. Includes budget name, budget number, funding agency, budget period, etc. Generated for reference purposes from Financial Accounting System database.

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: until superseded
Disposition Method: Recycle


Contracts -- Purchase, Lease or Rental: Agreements for the purchase of goods or services, or the lease/rental of equipment or vehicles. May include local purchase contracts for a group of products or services to be purchased locally over a period of time, equipment maintenance/service agreements and warranties, memorandums of understanding, personal service contracts with individuals or firms for specialized services and State purchase agreements for items or services contracted through the State Division of Purchasing.

Official Copy: Purchasing
Retention: 6 years after termination of contract
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 6 years after termination of contract
Disposition Method: Recycle


Copy Services Order Forms: Orders from departments for copy services involving large photocopy orders or special jobs.

Official Copy: Publications Services
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Official Copy: UWB: Finance and Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Cost Transfer Invoices (CTIs): A billing record for services or supplies charged by a UW department to another UW budget, including material purchased through UW Stores/Corporate Express.

Official Copy: Any Issuing Office
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: Any Receiving Office
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Credit Card Charge Records: A record of amounts charged to a credit card in payment for goods or services. May include statements, charge slips, and related invoices. Does not include ProCard records.

Official Copy: Student Accounts: Cashier's Office (for payment received)
Retention: 6 years after date paid or determined uncollectable
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: Payables Administration (for payment made)
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: UWB: Finance and Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method Shred

Other Copy: Any Office
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred


-D-



-E-


Endowment Fund Records: Correspondence and summary reports related to trust agreements, establishment of endowment funds, use of funds, etc.

Official Copy: Treasurer's Office
Retention: 6 years after endowment liquidated
Disposition Method: Transfer to Archives for review

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 1 year after funds dispersed
Disposition Method: Transfer to Archives for review


-F-


Financial Statements/Reports -- Annual or Biennial: A record of costs, expenditures and revenues.

Official Copy: Any Office
Retention: 6 years after end of reporting period
Disposition Method: Transfer to Archives for review


Financial Statements/Reports -- Quarterly/Monthly: A record of quarterly and/or monthly financial statements and budget reconciliations.

Official Copy: Any Office
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


-G-


General Ledgers: An itemization and summary of all income and expenditure transactions for each month in a biennium. Reconciled to Budget Activity Reports (BAR) and Budget Status Reports (BSR).

Official Copy: Payables Administration, or Auxiliary Enterprises
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: Any Office
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Gift Records: Documentation of the amounts of donations received, name of donors, and conditions placed on donations. May include Gift/Pledge Transmittal Form, correspondence, solicitation material, copies of checks or securities documents, acknowledgement letters, etc.

Official Copy: Development and Alumni Relations: Gift Processing (non-endowed funds)
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: Treasurer's Office (endowed funds)
Retention: 6 years after endowment liquidated; transfer to Archives for review
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: UWT: Office of Advancement (non-endowed funds)
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: UWB: Development and Alumni Relations (non-endowed funds)
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred



-H-


Honoraria, Requests for: Departmental requests for payment of an honorarium to visiting faculty and speakers. Also includes requests for Graduate School Research Fund monies.

Official Copy: Purchasing
Retention: 6 years after file closed
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: Graduate School Dean's Office: Graduate School Research Fund
Retention: 6 years after termination of contract
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred


-I-


Internal Sales Documents (ISDs) : A record of sales of services or supplies by service centers and auxiliary enterprises to other UW entities.

Official Copy: Any Issuing Office
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: Any Receiving Office
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Interview Expense, Requests for: Requests for authorization from a Dean and from the Provost to pay travel expenses for an individual traveling to the UW for a position interview.

Official Copy: Purchasing
Retention: 6 years after file closed
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred


Invoice Vouchers, State of Washington: A billing record in lieu of a vendor invoice for goods or services purchased by UW offices. Details items, amount and purpose of purchase.

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of the month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Invoices, Vendor: A records of goods or services purchased from a vendor. May include eProcurement invoices, UPS forms, and Bills of Lading.

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month

Official Copy: University Stores: Fiscal Department
Retention: 6 years after the end of the month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


-J-


Journal Vouchers (JVs): A record of budget entries and transfers of funds between UW budgets. Also used for Field Advance Expense Requests and Reverse Expenditures.

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Official Copy: Any Issuing Office
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: Any Receiving Office
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


-K-



-L-



-M-


Mail Preparation Services Forms: Departmental requests for mail preparation, which also itemize charges for mailing services provided. Includes "Requests for Mail Preparation Services" and "Mail Preparation Service Order Forms".

Official Copy: Mailing Services
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Media Services Requests: Departmental requests for services from Classroom Support Services.

Official Copy: Classroom Support Services
Retention: 6 years after end of fiscal year
Disposition Method: Recycle

Official Copy: UWB: Campus Media Services
Retention: 6 years after end of fiscal year
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Moving Expenses, Requests for: Requests for reimbursement of moving expenses for eligible new employees.

Official Copy: Purchasing
Retention: 6 years after file closed
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred


-N-


NSF Checks: Checks returned because of insufficient funds in the check writer's bank account. May include letters notifying check writers of the return of their checks, etc.

Official Copy: Any Department Receiving an NSF Check
Retention: 6 years after debt paid or determined uncollectable
Disposition Method: Shred


-O-


Operating Budget Detail: Monthly record detailing current status of all budget allocations at position or major object level.

Official Copy: Budget Office
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: until superseded
Disposition Method: Recycle


-P-


Packing Slips from Outside Vendors: A record of departmental receipt of goods or equipment from outside vendors. Includes ProCard transaction receipts.

NOTE: Audit procedures require that Packing Slips be initialed and dated upon receipt by the person receiving the goods.

Official Copy: Any Receiving Department
Retention: 6 years after receipt of merchandise/equipment
Disposition Method: Recycle

Official Copy: UWB: Finance and Administration
Retention: 6 years after receipt of mechandise/equipment
Disposition Method Recycle


Parking Validation Log: Provides a record of parking stickers issued to individuals visiting an University of Washington office. The log may contain the parking number, individual it is assigned to, and date.

Official Copy: Any Office
Retention: 6 years after the end of the calendar year
Disposition Method: Recycle


Per Diem Advance Requests : A record of anticipated reimbursable travel funds.

Official Copy: Payables Admnistration
Retention: 6 years after end of the month
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred


Petty Cash (Revolving Fund) Records: Records of expenditures from a departmental revolving fund. May include Application for Revolving Fund; Petty Cash Vouchers with supporting documents such as sales slips; cash register receipts; paid invoices; Receipt for Petty Cash Advance; bank records such as deposit tickets, statements, reconciliations, cancelled checks, etc.; Departmental Revolving Fund Invoice Vouchers or State of Washington Invoice Vouchers and Petty Cash Reconciliations used to request reimbursement from Payables Administration; etc.

Official Copy: Any Office with a Petty Cash Revolving Fund
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: Payables Administration -- supporting documents for issuance of fund reimbursement check as opposed to individual reimbursement.
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred


Petty Cash Vouchers: A record of reimbursements from the Petty Cash Office for out-of-pocket or cash expenditures.

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: UWT: Finance and Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: UWB: Finance and Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred


Printing, Requests for: Orders from departments for printing services.

Official Copy: Publications Services
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


ProCard Application: Provides a record of accepted applications for the issue of a University of Washington Procurement Card (ProCard).

Official Copy: Procurement Card Services
Retention: 6 years after termination of application
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: Any Office
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred


ProCard Approvals: Provides a record of Procurement Card (ProCard) transaction approval, reconciliation, and receipt of goods or equipment. Includes reviewed and signed Transaction Detail Report, invoices received, and packing slips.

Official Copy: Any Office
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: UWT: Finance and Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Official Copy: UWB: Finance and Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred


ProCard Cardholder Statement: Reports which provide a record of Procurement Card (ProCard) usage. Includes credit card statement printed or exported from Web posting.

Official Copy: Procurement Card Services
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: UWT: Finance and Administration
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: UWB: Finance and Administration
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred


Purchase Orders -- Blanket: Requests for repeat purchase of the same item or service over a specified length of time.

Official Copy: Purchasing
Retention: 6 years after file closed
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Purchase Requests -- Internal: Requests routed within a department for internal approval of purchases or travel prior to Procard purchase, eProcurement purchase, or generation of a Purchase Requisition. May include correspondence or departmental forms. Includes Delegation of Authority.

Official Copy: Any Office
Retention: 6 years after month of request
Disposition Method: Recycle

Official Copy: UWB: Finance and Administration
Retention: 6 years after month of request
Disposition Method: Recycle


Purchase Requisitions: Documents requests for purchases. Includes documentation received from Purchasing.

Official Copy: Purchasing
Retention: 6 years after file closed
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


-Q-



-R-


Receipts (For Money Received): Provide verification of payments received for goods or services.

Official Copy: Any Office Receiving Payment
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: Any Office Making Payment
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred


Receiving Reports: Signed verification of receipt of purchased goods for invoices exceeding $2500.

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: Any Receiving Office
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Recharge/Cost Center Amortization Schedules: A record of approved schedules which calculate equipment depreciation or use allowance that can be included in the recharge/cost center rates.

Official Copy: Management Accounting and Analysis
Retention: 6 years after end of fiscal year
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: Recharge/Cost Centers
Retention: 3 years after end of fiscal year
Disposition Method: Recycle


Recharge/Cost Center Fee Rate Analysis and Schedules: A record of fee schedules and documentation supporting the determination of fees charged by recharge and cost centers to users of their services.

Official Copy: Management Accounting and Analysis
Retention: 6 years after end of fiscal year
Disposition Method: Transfer to Archives for review

Other Copy: Recharge/Cost Centers
Retention: 6 years after end of fiscal year
Disposition Method: Recycle


Recharge Center Quarterly Reports: Quarterly summaries of revenue and expenses from a recharge center budget.

Official Copy: Budget Office
Retention: 6 years after end of fiscal year
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: Recharge Centers
Retention: 3 years after end of fiscal year
Disposition Method: Recycle


Recharge Documents: Internal records documenting the recharging of an expense initially paid on one budget of a department to another budget of that department. May include correspondence or internal forms.

Official Copy: Any Issuing Office
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: Any Receiving Office
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Reconciliations of Cash and Receipts: A record of cash/check reconciliation against receipts.

Official Copy: Any Receiving Office
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred


Refund Check Requests: A record of refund checks issued for overpayments, cancellation of registration, cancellation of services, etc.

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred


RIP Notices (Rapid Invoice Processing): Provides confirmation to a department that Payables Administration has received an invoice for goods/services ordered by the department, and will pay it unless otherwise notified.

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: Any Office
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


-S-


Salary Saving Reports: Monthly reports (cumulative for biennium) detailing and summarizing budget amounts recaptured from vacant positions.

Official Copy: Budget Office
Retention: end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Status/Action Requests: Provide information to Purchasing Department or Payables Administration regarding a department's outstanding purchase or vendor billing. Used to liquidate an encumbrance, to request that a requisition be closed, or to request follow-up with a vendor. Request may be made on paper or by email.

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method Recycle

Official Copy: Purchasing
Retention: 6 years after file closed
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


Stores Order Forms: Requests to University Stores for supplies and small equipment.

Official Copy: University Stores
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Recycle

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Recycle


-T-


Travel Expense Vouchers: Documentation of travel-related expenses incurred on UW-related business or projects.

Official Copy: Payables Administration
Retention: 6 years after end of month
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: College/School or Department
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred

Other Copy: UWB: Finance and Administration
Retention: 2 years after end of biennium
Disposition Method: Shred


-U-



-V-



-W-



-X-



-Y-



-Z-