Harvard-issued credit cards may be used by authorized individuals to make certain types of payments while performing University business. Only eligible direct University business expenses may be charged to University-issued cards; personal purchases are strictly prohibited. All transactions must be supported by a detailed business purpose, proof of purchase documentation, and...

This guidance is a working draft. Submit feedback to financialpolicy@harvard.edu by 5/31/23

Guidance Summary - Download complete guidance at left

At Harvard, research scholars who are neither students nor faculty members are known by a variety of titles (fellow, postdoc, scholar, trainee, grantee, stipendee, awardee, etc.). Regardless of title, it is important that these...

Harvard University requires that faculty, staff, researchers, students, or other individuals who plan for or purchase products, equipment, supplies, and services with University funds, base purchases on sound business practice, best value, accountability, and compliance with donor, sponsor and regulatory requirements. Individuals planning for or making purchases must follow this and other established Harvard University policies and procedures....

This policy provides guidance to all non-exempt employees, employees who are eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and their Time Approvers regarding the reporting and approval of hours worked and absences.

Reason for Policy

Timely and accurate reporting and approval of hours worked and absences taken are important for a variety of reasons....

 Harvard only permits a short-term operating advance (STOA) account for human subject payments or short-term projects where use of other payment methods is not feasible. Under a STOA, Harvard cuts a check to an individual (custodian) who manages and disburses the funds on behalf of a project; the custodian must return any unused funds to Harvard by 30 days after the end date of the project.  Harvard requires all tubs that request or maintain STOAs to do the...

Policy Statement

Per the IRS, a fellowship is an amount paid to or allowed for the benefit of an individual to aid in the pursuit of that individual’s own study or research. At Harvard, we use the term “fellowships” to refer to a host of payments: awards, stipends, grants, and allowances. Fellowships are generally gross income to the recipient, unless they are qualified payments for required tuition and fees for a degree program.

Generally, student and non-employee...

COVID-19 Update:
Staff are expected to continue to follow the Staff Mobile Phone Policy; exception requests must continue to follow School or Unit approval protocols. Employees can take advantage of available systems and technology to reduce use of personal electronic devices (see the below chart for guidance).

Key Policy Highlights - Download full policy from left sidebar. 

This policy defines when costs for purchased and internally-developed software or cloud-hosting arrangements must be capitalized at the University.
If direction differs between this policy and external regulations, sponsor or donor terms, or other internal policy or procedures, the more restrictive...

Previously called Accounting for Leases

Policy Statement
This policy establishes accounting treatment for lease agreements and agreements that contain lease components entered into by the University, both as a lessee and as a lessor. The lessee is the party granted use rights of an asset as part of an agreement. The lessor is the owner of the assets identified in the agreement.

There are two types of lease classifications for a lessee: finance and operating. There are three types of leases for a...

Web Based Independent Contractor Training - Employees can now take a web-based training giving an overview of the Independent Contractor Policy. The Independent Contractor Policy Overview (University-Wide, Online)...

... Read more about Gifts and Celebratory Events for Employees and Nonemployees

See the Harvard Travel and Reimbursement Guidance for documentation requirements if traveling internationally.
 

• While Harvard faculty, staff, students and researchers must still follow Harvard’s vaccination and booster requirements, the vaccination and booster attestation form or...

... Read more about Reserves for Bad Debt

This policy establishes the proper methods to account for facilities and equipment, including capitalization, depreciation, disposals and impairments, and various funding sources. Download the full policy .