Michigan State University
Controller's Office

Administration Bldg
426 Auditorium Rd, Rm 305
East Lansing, MI 48824
517 355-5020

MSU Manual of Business Procedures

The duties and responsibilities of MSU fiscal officers and their delegates include providing daily oversight on how University funds are spent and managed. This oversight includes ensuring funds are budgeted, where appropriate, that they are spent according to fiscal policy, that funds are spent in alignment with the account purpose, that processes and controls are in place, that assets are safeguarded, that transactions are recorded and reported properly, that the account is reconciled on a monthly basis, and that either the expenditures are in conformity with the budget, or appropriate budget changes have been made to reflect a change in the original budget.

The MSU Manual of Business Procedures is coordinated by the Office of the Controller to provide information regarding proper University business procedures and fiscal oversight. It is intended that this Manual outline the general policies and procedures. Unique or unusual circumstances should be referred to the department or administrative unit involved.

All users are encouraged to make suggestions for improving the Manual:

  • Sections 1 - 70 and 75, 77-80 contact the Controllers Office at 517-355-5020.
  • Section 74 - contact Accounts Payable/Invoice Audit at 517-353-2011.
  • Section 76 - contact Purchasing 517-355-0357.
  • Sections 200 - 335, contact the respective department.

For personnel policies, union contracts, and handbooks for Academic Staff, Support Staff, and Student employees, go to MSU Human Resources.

NOTE: Many exhibits in the MSU Manual of Business Procedures are in PDF format. In order to view a PDF file you will need to install Adobe Reader.

To view those sections of the Manual of Business Procedures in use prior to the new Financial System implementation of January 1, 2011, see this Legacy Table of Contents.