Resources
This page provides links to useful resources, such as webinars and communications, to help you understand University finances.
Access the finance system and get help with queries:
Financial Regulations and University Financial Statements:
Finance webinars:
- 2020
-
In 2020 Allan Spencer (Director of Finance at this time) hosted 2 webinars on Understanding the University's Finances. Also included below is an additional Q&A recording and an addendum to questions from the webinars.
Understanding the University's Finances - 20 May 2020
Understanding the University's Finances - 22 May 2020
Understanding the University's Finances - Q&A
Addendum to Questions from the Finance Webinar [PDF 177.37KB]
- 2019
-
During 2019 Allan Spencer (Director of Finance at this time) hosted 6 webinars on 'Understanding the University's Finances' which can be viewed below.
Understanding the University's Finances - 9 July 2019
Understanding the University's Finances - 10 July 2019
Understanding the University's Finances - 9 September 2019
Understanding the University's Finances - 12 September 2019
Understanding the University's Finances - 4 October 2019
Understanding the University's Finances - 9 October 2019
Understanding the University's Finances - Webinar Slide Pack [PDF 172.34KB]
Finance Communications:
- 2024-2025
-
Briefing for all staff on our next steps in the collection of tuition fees and rental fees [PDF 179.21KB] - sent to Executive Deans and Directors of Professional Services to forward on to staff in their areas, November 2024
Briefing for all staff on our approach to the collection of tuition fees and rental fees in 2024-25 [PDF 90.13KB] and the student-fee-collection-cycle [PDF 181.62KB] - sent to Executive Deans and Directors of Professional Services to forward on to staff in their areas, October 2024
- 2023-2024
-
CFO staff briefing re student debt - June 2024 [PDF 211.74KB] - sent to all Heads of School and Directors of Professional Services to forward on to their staff, June 2024
Staff Briefing on Student Debt - April 2024 [PDF 213.90KB] - sent to all Heads of School and Directors of Professional Services to forward on to their staff, April 2024
Finance Update for Directors of Professional Services and Heads of School - November 2023 [PDF 105.88KB] - including attachements: HoS and DoPS Summary of Responsibilities under the Financial Regulations [PDF 128.61KB] and Information to forward on to all staff [PDF 125.63KB]
Purchasing Card Declaration for Cardholders [PDF 73.32KB] and PCARD DECLARATION 2023 [PDF 104.18KB] - sent November 2023
Guidance on Working with Charities [PDF 128.71KB]
Important Message to all University Purchasing Cardholders [PDF 100.63KB] - Regarding card security, sent 14 August 2023
- 2022-2023
-
RAM Presentation for HoS July 2022 password protected [PPTX 29.38MB]
1-2022 Annual Purchasing Card Declaration [PDF 87.64KB] and Declaration Wording [PDF 104.18KB]
2-2022 Finance Update for Directors of Professional Services and Heads of School [PDF 139.52KB]
3-2022 Recap of Responsibilities for Finance System Users [PDF 173.98KB]
5-2023 Advance Actions for Financial Responsibilities Self-Assessment - May 2023 [PDF 93.81KB] and associated documents: 6-2023 Reminder for all staff - Your responsibilities under the Financial Regulations [PDF 106.76KB] and 7-2023 Finance responsibilities table for HoS and DoPS [PDF 126.02KB]
- 2021-2022
-
1-2021: Annual University of Sussex Purchasing Card Declaration [PDF 159.13KB]
2-2021 Finance Update for Heads of School [PDF 129.11KB] and Finance Engagement Road Map for HoS 2021-22 [PDF 171.91KB]
3-2021 Finance Update for Directors of Professional Services [PDF 125.27KB] and Finance Engagement Road Map for DoPS 2021-22 [PDF 157.85KB]
4-2021 Communication for All Staff [PDF 174.33KB] (to be forwarded on from Heads of School and Directors of Professional Services and supporting documents referred to in the text:
- Travelling on University Business [PDF 103.47KB]
- What to consider when spending University Funds to meet University requirements and achieve value for money [PDF 115.43KB]
5-2021 Communication to all Purchasing Cardholders, Coder and Authorisers for Action [PDF 123.77KB]
6-2022 Changes to Academic Time Survey Collection Frequency [PDF 200.56KB]
7-2022 Updated Roadmap comms to HoS and DoPS [PDF 89.45KB] and Updated Finance Road Map for DoPS 2021-22 [PDF 162.97KB] and Updated Finance Road Map for HoS 2021-22 [PDF 181.11KB]
8 - 2022 Advance Actions for Financial Responsibilities Self-Assessment [PDF 102.09KB] and 9 - 2022 Reminder for all staff – your responsibilities under the Financial Regulations [PDF 108.22KB]. Associated documents: Finance training requirements and recommendations for staff with financial responsibility [PDF 123.97KB] and Value for Money in Day to Day Purchasing - Staff Guide [PDF 179.53KB]
10-2022 Financial Responsibilities Self-Assessment - Sent to all Heads of School and Directors of Professional Services [PDF 97.17KB] and DoF VfM update for Heads of School, Directors of PS and senior staff [PDF 178.95KB]
- 2020-2021
-
1-2020: Finance Update for Directors of Professional Service [PDF 371.86KB] - November 2020
2-2020: Finance Update for Heads of School [PDF 374.83KB] - November 2020
3-2020: Direct email to purchasing card holders [PDF 248.35KB] - November 2020
Revisions to Financial Regulations - email to HoS and DoPS [PDF 253.87KB] - December 2020
4-2021: Updated Finance Engagement Roadmap for Heads of School - February to July 2021 [PDF 272.14KB] - January 2021
5-2021: Updated Finance Engagement Roadmap for Directors of Professional Services - February to July 2021 [PDF 266.89KB] - January 2021
6-2021: Update from the Director of Finance - for Heads of School [PDF 585.21KB] - April 2021
7-2021: Update from the Director of Finance - For Directors of Professional Services [PDF 587.57KB] - April 2021
8-2021: Urgent request regarding recent attempted fraud [PDF 100.83KB] - May 2021
- 2019-2020
-
Temporary Changes in VAT for Specific Purchases [PDF 94.05KB] - July 2020
Extra Fraud Measures for University Barclaycards [PDF 102.14KB] - April 2020
Finance Arrangements for Off-Campus Working [PDF 115.33KB] - March 2020
Finance Engagement Roadmaps for Heads of School/Directors of Professional Services:
- Heads of School
-
Finance Engagement Road Map for Heads of School 2023-24 [PDF 150.41KB]
- Directors of Professional Service
-
Finance Engagement Road Map for Directors of Professional Services 2023-24 [PDF 139.52KB]
External resources:
BUFDG : British Universities Finance Directors Group - This guide aims to explain university finances and funding so it can be understood by those with little or no financial background. It looks at how institutions ‘tick’ from a financial perspective – where universities get their money from; how they spend the money and why, and how the financial statements demonstrate this.
BUFDG E-Learning courses - University staff have access to the BUFDG e-learning platform, which offers a range of courses covering finance, procurement, tax, credit control, and more.