University Payables
The influence of University Payables (UPAY) is seen throughout the University of Illinois, as they serve the entire System, contributing to the University’s financial well-being. Their attention to detail allows them to monitor compliance and protect against fraud. They also collaborate with other University stakeholders – Purchasing, UAFR, Tax, Treasury, AITS, and Audit – to ensure the University’s finances are managed responsibly.
The Analytics team (up-ars@uillinois.edu) is responsible for the University’s ACH and wire transfer operations, and the escheatment and unclaimed property processes. The Analytics team also assists departments with providing proof of payment and with payment questions.
The Card Services team (cco@uillinois.edu) oversees the University’s Card program, managing over 8,000 charge cards. They provide card training, work closely with Department Card Managers, and ensure compliance with University policies and procedures.
Customer Service (obfsupay@uillinois.edu) is the foundation of UPAY, assisting both departments and vendors with any processing or payment issues. Customer Service also assists departments with using Chrome River and troubleshooting in Chrome River.
The Direct Pay team oversees the Chrome River system, processing approximately 302,000 expense reports per year for employee and travel reimbursements, and 28,000 non-purchase order vendor payments. To help protect the university from fraud, this team follows University policies and procedures, as well as IRS rules, to ensure reimbursements are handled correctly.
The Purchase Order Payments team processes over 400,000 PO-related documents per year in both Banner and iBuy, including special payment requests, recurring payments, and wire transfer payments. They work closely with the Purchasing offices to ensure timely and accurate payments are made to the University’s vendors.
The Travel Management Office (tmo@uillinois.edu) is the liaison between the University and its contracted travel providers. The TMO communicates and maintains travel contract information on University web pages, provides training, troubleshoots issues, etc.
Vendor Maintenance (uivendor@uillinois.edu) maintains the University’s master file of over 250,000 vendors and adds one time vendor addresses within Chrome River. Thorough vetting, along with federal and state verifications, are completed to avoid fraud when establishing a vendor in Banner/iBuy. This team also handles all ACH/direct deposit and ePayables enrollments (uiepayments@uillinois.edu).
Any questions can be directed to UPAY at obfsupay@uillinois.edu or 217-333-6583.