R⋆STARS Data Entry Guide
Chapter #15
Cost Allocation
This chapter presents procedures to be followed when establishing indirect cost pools, recording indirect costs and allocating costs to direct cost pools. It also includes typical examples which may be followed. It is not intended to provide users with an overview of the R⋆STARS Cost Allocation capabilities, nor is it intended to “stand alone” as a guide to using the Cost Allocation Subsystem. The R⋆STARS Reference Manual, Chapter #14 should be reviewed prior to attempting to utilize this subsystem.
15‑1 MAINTENANCE OF THE COST ALLOCATION PROFILES
15‑2 MAINTENANCE OF OTHER COST ALLOCATION RELATED PROFILES
26 – Program Cost Account Profile
Example 1 – Distribution Type = 1 (Standard Rate)
Example 2 – Distribution Type = 2 (Standard Cost Per Unit)
Example 3 – Distribution Type = 3 (Standard Amount)
Example 4 – Distribution Type = 4 (Fixed Percentage)
Example 5 – Distribution Type = 5 (Calculated Percentage)
The Cost Allocation capabilities are provided through the use of the R⋆STARS Cost Allocation Subsystem (CAS). This subsystem may be utilized to allocate program costs (PCA) only, or may be utilized for more complex allocations including Index, Projects, and/or Grants. The flexibility of this subsystem enables each agency to choose the level of complexity required.
The system capabilities associated with the Cost Allocation Subsystem include:
◾ Capturing and allocating indirect or overhead costs
◾ Calculating and reporting allocation transactions
◾ Calculating allocations using a variety of methods, including actual costs or standard cost methods
◾ Allocating costs across various data elements including Grants or Projects
◾ Allocating charges to unique expenditure objects or maintaining the original expenditure coding
◾ Calculating and allocating any variance amounts
◾ Calculating the allocation charges based on various periods of time
This chapter provides the procedures to be followed to define the cost allocation methodologies. Prior to attempting to enter any of the cost allocation related profiles, users must first determine which CAS capabilities are required. A thorough review of the R⋆STARS Reference Manual, Chapter 14, is a prerequisite to this step.
The Cost Allocation process is defined by groups of data elements and several indicators stored in the 22 – Cost Allocation Profile and 23 – Cost Allocation Type Profile. The 22 Profile includes:
Indirect Cost Pools:
◾ Agency
◾ Cost Allocation (CA) Type
◾ PCA
◾ Fiscal Year
◾ Index
These elements, combined, make up the control key to the 22 Profile. Therefore, each Indirect Cost Pool is established as a unique record in the 22 Profile. The remainder of the elements and indicators in the 22 Profile (discussed below) determine how the Indirect Cost Pools are allocated.
Indirect Cost Pools, at a minimum, must be identified by the Agency, CA Type, PCA, and Fiscal Year. Index may, optionally, be included in the Indirect Cost Pool definition.
Various indicators in the 22 Profile determine the following:
◾ Which of the five cost allocation methods will be exercised
◾ The allocation rate to be applied
◾ When the indirect cost pool may be allocated
◾ Which step (out of a possible 9-step cycle) will be allocated
◾ When variance amounts may be allocated
Allocation information data elements include the T-Code and classification elements used when recording the allocation charge and recovery transactions.
Distribution base information data elements further define the indirect costs eligible for allocation as well as the direct cost pools eligible to receive the allocations.
The 23 Profile identifies each Cost Allocation (CA) Type, the base and allocation general ledger accounts and whether the posting is cumulative.
The following are examples of the 22 and 23 Profile screens which are used for online profile maintenance.
Note that the Cost Allocation Profile does not require maintenance on a regular basis. Once added to R⋆STARS, this profile should only be recalled to change the cost allocation methodology.
Examples:
S022 UC: 10 STATE OF OREGON 06/16/08 01:15 PM |
LINK TO: COST ALLOCATION PROFILE PROD |
AGENCY: 001 CA TYPE: C INDEX CODE: 13001 PCA: 10000 APPN YEAR: 15 |
TITLE: AIRPORT SPLIT CAT 2 & 4 SS COST ALLOC PCA TYPE: 2 SEQ: 2 VAR: 3 |
DIST- TYPE: 4 RATE: DESC: |
CHARGE- TC: 301 ALLOC BY OBJ: Y COMP/AGY OBJ: |
CREDIT- TC: 302 INDEX CODE: 13001 PCA: 10000 COMP/AGY OBJ: |
DIST BASE OBJ LOW 1: HIGH 1: LOW 2: HIGH 2: |
RANGE- TYPE: LOW 3: HIGH 3: LOW 4: HIGH 4: |
AND 1: 1: 1: 1: |
ALLOC INDEX 2: INDEX 2: PCA 2: PCA 2: |
RANGE- LOW: 3: HIGH: 3: LOW: 3: HIGH: 3: |
4: 4: 4: 4: |
5: 5: 5: 5: |
INDEX PCA % INDEX PCA % INDEX PCA % |
1: 30020 41100 .33400 2: 30030 41100 .07400 3: 30080 41100 .07400 |
FIXED 4: 30090 41100 .07400 5: 30100 41100 .07400 6: 30160 41100 .07400 |
PCNT 7: 30210 41100 .07400 8: 30140 41100 .07400 9: 30370 41100 .07400 |
ALLOC 10: 30440 41100 .07400 11: 12: |
13: 14: 15: |
EFF ST DT: 07012007 EFF END DT: LAST PRC DT: 02132007 STAT CODE: A |
Z06 RECORD SUCCESSFULLY RECALLED |
|
F1-HELP F3-DEL F5-NEXT F9-INT F10-SAVE F11-SAVE/CLEAR ENTER-INQ CLEAR-EXIT |
S023 UC: 10 STATE OF OREGON 06/16/08 01:11 PM |
LINK TO: COST ALLOCATION TYPE PROFILE PROD |
|
CA TYPE: C |
TITLE: CASH EXPENDITURES BASED ON CASH & ACCR |
CUM BAL IND: Y |
ALLOCATE G/LS: 3500 BASE G/LS: 3500 |
3501 |
|
STATUS CODE: A |
EFF START DATE: 07011993 EFF END DATE: LAST PROC DATE: 08241994 |
Z06 RECORD SUCCESSFULLY RECALLED |
|
F1-HELP F3-DEL F5-NEXT F9-INT F10-SAVE F11-SAVE/CLEAR ENTER-INQ CLEAR-EXIT |
The Cost Allocation Subsystem utilizes two other profiles in R⋆STARS: the 26 – Program Cost Account Profile and the 25 – Agency Control Profile. The function of each profile is described below.
The PCA or Program Cost Account is the data element used to identify and capture indirect charges as well as direct charges. The PCA is designated as either an indirect cost pool or a direct cost pool by the PCA Type field. The PCA is required in order to allocate indirect charges.
Example:
S026 UC: 10 STATE OF OREGON 06/16/08 01:25 PM |
LINK TO: PROGRAM COST ACCOUNT PROFILE PROD |
|
AGENCY: 001 APPN YEAR: 15 PCA: 41100 |
|
PCA TYPE: D TITLE: ADMIN – STATEWIDE SERVICES |
|
PROGRAM CODE: 4110 PCA GROUP: AGY BUD PRG LEVEL IND: 4 |
FUNCTION CODE: AGY BUD FUNC LEVEL IND: |
NACUBO FUND: NACUBO SUBFUND: |
APPN NUMB: 30000 FUND: 4010 INDEX: |
|
GRANT NO/PH: PROJECT NO/PH: RTI: |
MPCODE: AGENCY CODE – 1: 2: 3: 00401 |
|
GRANT REQ IND: N PROJECT REQ IND: N |
STATUS CODE: A |
EFF START DATE: 07012007 EFF END DATE: LAST PROC DATE: 02132007 |
Z06 RECORD SUCCESSFULLY RECALLED |
|
F1-HELP F3-DEL F5-NEXT F9-INT F10-SAVE F11-SAVE/CLEAR ENTER-INQ CLEAR-EXIT |
The 25 Profile controls the execution of cost allocation at the agency level. It includes indicators that identify when an agency is ready to run cost allocation, the type of cost allocation (normal or variance), whether optional classification elements (Projects or Grants) will be included in the allocation, and the range of time included in the distribution base and indirect cost pools.
Note that the 25 Profile requires maintenance on a regular basis. Agencies must review the Cost Allocation Indicators as a part of each period closing process.
Example:
S025 UC: 10 STATE OF OREGON 06/16/08 01:28 PM |
LINK TO: AGENCY CONTROL PROFILE PROD |
|
AGENCY: 001 FISCAL YEAR: 08 |
COST RUN IND: RUN TYPE: NO STEPS: LAST STEP: |
ALLOCATION- CA BY IDX: CA BY PROJ: CA BY GRANT: CA POST: |
CA RANGE FROM: TO: CA TYPES: |
BILLING DEF- IDX: PCA: EXP COMP/AGY OBJ: |
DEFAULT- IDX: PCA: REV COMP/AGY OBJ: |
REPORTING INDS- WEEK: N MONTH: N QUARTER: N YEAR: N |
DOCUMENT MATCH LEVEL INDICATORS - PRE ENC: 1 ENC: 1 NON-ENC: 1 |
REDUCE AGENCY BUDGET INDICATORS - PRE-ENC: N ENC: Y (Y OR N) |
COMP OBJ REQD ON D11: Y |
FIXED ASSET - IND: N THRESHOLDS - CAP: INV: CAPTURE: |
AGENCY OBJECT IND: B (R=REV, E=EXP, B=BOTH, N=NONE) |
LAST MONTH CLOSED: 11 AGY BUD BY ORG IND: Y (Y OR N) |
AE LAST MONTH/YEAR PURGED: AGY BUD BY PGM IND: Y (Y OR N) |
REPORTING MONTH/YR: 01 07 LABOR RUN IND: N (Y,N OR A) |
INTEREST CALC RUN/MONTH: N COLLECTION TRANSFER RUN: N (Y OR N) |
GRANT/PROJ BILLING RUN: N SGL ORG LVL IND: 2 STATUS CODE: A |
EFF START DATE: 07012007 EFF END DATE: LAST PROC DATE: 06132008 |
Z06 RECORD SUCCESSFULLY RECALLED |
|
F1-HELP F3-DEL F5-NEXT F9-INT F10-SAVE F11-SAVE/CLEAR ENTER-INQ CLEAR-EXIT |
Indirect or overhead charges are recorded in R⋆STARS in the same manner as any other expenditure transaction. The only requirement is that the PCA, which identifies the indirect cost pool, must be recorded on the transaction. The indirect PCA is either manually coded or may optionally be looked up by the Index Code. Generally, agencies will set up specific indices and PCAs identifying indirect costs. Allocation to these unique codes is controlled by the 22 profile.
All types of expenditure transactions may be charged to an indirect cost pool, such as payment vouchers or labor distribution charges. Additionally, statistical hours and units may be recorded against the indirect cost pool.
The Cost Allocation reporting capabilities include online inquiry, system‑generated reports and user‑requestable reports. These capabilities provide a full range of cost allocation information at both detail and summary levels. The following paragraphs describe the online inquiries and the hard copy reports available.
All cost allocation transactions are calculated based on the transactions recorded in the General Ledger Financial Table, and all transactions, whether allocated or directly charged, are recorded in both the General Ledger and Accounting Event Tables. These transactions are summarized to the lowest levels in the classification structure.
Detail procedures for using the On-line inquiry features are provided in Chapter 3.
The Cost Allocation Subsystem automatically generates nine control reports during the cost allocation process. Two reports detail the accounting transactions generated during the cost allocation process. The remaining four reports are processing control reports which detail the number of records input and the number of transactions generated by each program in the cycle. Each of the cost allocation reports is described below.
The cost allocation transaction reports include:
◾ Cost Allocation Extract – DAFR5651 – displays a picture of the Agency Control (AC) Profile Indicators at the time of the cost allocation run. This is an Agency report.
◾ Indirect PCA Summarizations – DAFR5711 – displays the number of General Ledger Table records read and the number of indirect records written. This is an Agency report.
◾ Indirect PCA Summarization – DAFR5712 – displays the number of indirect general ledger records read and written system-wide. This is a Central report.
◾ Direct PCA Summarizations – DAFR5721 – displays the number of General Ledger Table records read and the number of direct records written. This is an Agency report.
◾ Cost Allocation Transaction Generation – DAFR5801 – displays a summary of the transactions generated during the cost allocation process. This report identifies both the indirect costs to be allocated and the account classifications that were charged/credited during cost allocation. Cost accounting managers will find this report the most meaningful, as it provides a complete picture of the allocation that occurred for each indirect cost pool. This is an Agency report.
◾ Cost Allocation Transaction Control – DAFR5802 – displays summary totals identifying the number of indirect transactions read and the number and total amount charged and credited during the cost allocation run. This is a Central report.
◾ Cost Allocation Transaction Summarization Detail – DAFR5851 – displays a detail list of all cost allocation transactions generated during each allocation process. Summary control totals by agency are included. This is an Agency report.
◾ Cost Allocation Transaction Summarization Detail – DAFR5852 – displays the summary statistics information for the cost allocation transactions created, for example, total count and amount. This is a Central report.
◾ Cost Allocation OC Update – DAFR5881 – displays the number of agency control records updated. This is a Central report.
This section includes examples which represent typical cost allocation scenarios. A flow diagram for each example is presented in Chapter 14 of the Reference Manual. The examples presented here go one step further and present completed Cost Allocation Profiles. A separate example is presented for each Distribution Type.
An agency accumulates all utility costs in one indirect cost pool (PCA Type = I). The utility costs (Comptroller Object 4825) are to be allocated to direct cost pools (PCA Type = D) based on direct labor charges (Comptroller Objects 3111 through 3198). Using prior information, the agency estimates that utilities generally amount to 5% of total labor costs. The completed 22 Cost Allocation Profile is present below.
Example:
S022 UC: 02 STATE OF OREGON 06/18/08 01:58 PM |
LINK TO: COST ALLOCATION PROFILE PROD |
AGENCY: 001 CA TYPE: E INDEX CODE: 00000 PCA: 00007 APPN YEAR: 15 |
TITLE: UTILITY ALLOCATION PCA TYPE: 2 SEQ: 1 VAR: 3 |
DIST- TYPE: 1 RATE: 00000.05000 DESC: STANDARD RATE |
CHARGE- TC: 301 ALLOC BY OBJ: N COMP/AGY OBJ: 4825 |
CREDIT- TC: 302 INDEX CODE: 00000 PCA: 00007 COMP/AGY OBJ: 4825 |
DIST BASE OBJ LOW 1: 3111 HIGH 1: 3198 LOW 2: HIGH 2: |
RANGE- TYPE: C LOW 3: HIGH 3: LOW 4: HIGH 4: |
AND 1: 00000 1: 00000 1: 10000 1: 10003 |
ALLOC INDEX 2: INDEX 2: PCA 2: PCA 2: |
RANGE- LOW: 3: HIGH: 3: LOW: 3: HIGH: 3: |
4: 4: 4: 4: |
5: 5: 5: 5: |
INDEX PCA % INDEX PCA % INDEX PCA % |
1: 2: 3: |
FIXED 4: 5: 6: |
PCNT 7: 8: 9: |
ALLOC 10: 11: 12: |
13: 14: 15: |
EFF ST DT: 06182008 EFF END DT: LAST PRC DT: STAT CODE: A |
|
F1-HELP F3-DEL F5-NEXT F9-INT F10-SAVE F11-SAVE/CLEAR ENTER-INQ CLEAR-EXIT |
The general ledger accounts that contain the transactions eligible for the distribution base on this profile are found on the 23 Profile for the CA TYPE under BASE G/LS.
An agency wants to charge an overhead cost to all GSA cost pools that utilize government vehicles. The overhead rate is estimated at 20 cents per mile. Whenever a government vehicle is utilized, the miles are recorded to a statistical expenditure Comptroller Object account, 9901. Allocations are then calculated based on the standard cost ($ .20) multiplied by the actual number of miles driven. All actual overhead vehicle costs, such as insurance or repairs, are charged to an indirect cost pool (PCA Type = I). The unallocated variance amount is monitored by also recording the recovery (credit) amount to the same PCA.
The completed 22 Cost Allocation Profile is presented below.
Example:
S022 UC: 02 STATE OF OREGON 06/18/08 01:58 PM |
LINK TO: COST ALLOCATION PROFILE PROD |
AGENCY: 001 CA TYPE: E INDEX CODE: 00000 PCA: 00005 APPN YEAR: 15 |
TITLE: VEHICLE OVERHEAD ALLOCATION PCA TYPE: 2 SEQ: 1 VAR: 3 |
DIST- TYPE: 2 RATE: 00000.20000 DESC: STANDARD COST PER MILE |
CHARGE- TC: 301 ALLOC BY OBJ: N COMP/AGY OBJ: 4108 |
CREDIT- TC: 302 INDEX CODE: 00000 PCA: 00005 COMP/AGY OBJ: 4108 |
DIST BASE OBJ LOW 1: 9901 HIGH 1: 9901 LOW 2: HIGH 2: |
RANGE- TYPE: A LOW 3: HIGH 3: LOW 4: HIGH 4: |
AND 1: 00000 1: 00000 1: 10000 1: 10003 |
ALLOC INDEX 2: INDEX 2: PCA 2: PCA 2: |
RANGE- LOW: 3: HIGH: 3: LOW: 3: HIGH: 3: |
4: 4: 4: 4: |
5: 5: 5: 5: |
INDEX PCA % INDEX PCA % INDEX PCA % |
1: 2: 3: |
FIXED 4: 5: 6: |
PCNT 7: 8: 9: |
ALLOC 10: 11: 12: |
13: 14: 15: |
EFF ST DT: 06182008 EFF END DT: LAST PRC DT: STAT CODE: A |
|
F1-HELP F3-DEL F5-NEXT F9-INT F10-SAVE F11-SAVE/CLEAR ENTER-INQ CLEAR-EXIT |
The general ledger accounts that contain the transactions eligible for the distribution base on this profile are found on the 23 Profile for the CA TYPE under BASE G/LS.
An agency is planning to allocate the cost of a long distance (in-state) line, Comptroller Object 4301, to four direct cost pools that utilize the service. Based on prior year charges, the agency has estimated an average cost of $500 per period for each direct cost pool. The standard amount is allocated to each direct cost pool which incurred “other” phone charges during the period.
The completed 22 Cost Allocation Profile for Distribution Type 3, Standard Amount is presented below.
Example:
S022 UC: 02 STATE OF OREGON 06/18/08 01:58 PM |
LINK TO: COST ALLOCATION PROFILE PROD |
AGENCY: 001 CA TYPE: E INDEX CODE: 00000 PCA: 99978 APPN YEAR: 15 |
TITLE: LONG DISTANCE ALLOCATION PCA TYPE: 2 SEQ: 1 VAR: 3 |
DIST- TYPE: 3 RATE: 00500.00000 DESC: STANDARD AMOUNT |
CHARGE- TC: 301 ALLOC BY OBJ: N COMP/AGY OBJ: 4301 |
CREDIT- TC: 302 INDEX CODE: 00000 PCA: 99978 COMP/AGY OBJ: 4301 |
DIST BASE OBJ LOW 1: 0407 HIGH 1: 0407 LOW 2: HIGH 2: |
RANGE- TYPE: A LOW 3: HIGH 3: LOW 4: HIGH 4: |
AND 1: 00000 1: 00000 1: 50000 1: 50003 |
ALLOC INDEX 2: INDEX 2: PCA 2: PCA 2: |
RANGE- LOW: 3: HIGH: 3: LOW: 3: HIGH: 3: |
4: 4: 4: 4: |
5: 5: 5: 5: |
INDEX PCA % INDEX PCA % INDEX PCA % |
1: 2: 3: |
FIXED 4: 5: 6: |
PCNT 7: 8: 9: |
ALLOC 10: 11: 12: |
13: 14: 15: |
EFF ST DT: 06182008 EFF END DT: LAST PRC DT: STAT CODE: A |
|
F1-HELP F3-DEL F5-NEXT F9-INT F10-SAVE F11-SAVE/CLEAR ENTER-INQ CLEAR-EXIT |
The general ledger accounts that contain the transactions eligible for the distribution base on this profile are found on the 23 Profile for the CA TYPE under BASE G/LS.
An agency is planning to allocate the total rent for a building which is shared by four direct cost pools. The rent is to be shared equally by each direct cost pool. The actual rent is recorded in the indirect cost pool (PCA Type = I). Note, that for the Charge and Credit TC the object is blank. This is because the Allocation By Object Ind = Y.
The completed 22 Cost Allocation Profile is presented below.
Example:
S022 UC: 02 STATE OF OREGON 06/18/08 01:58 PM |
LINK TO: COST ALLOCATION PROFILE PROD |
AGENCY: 001 CA TYPE: E INDEX CODE: 00000 PCA: 55555 APPN YEAR: 15 |
TITLE: BUILDING RENT ALLOCATION PCA TYPE: 2 SEQ: 1 VAR: 3 |
DIST- TYPE: 4 RATE: DESC: |
CHARGE- TC: 301 ALLOC BY OBJ: Y COMP/AGY OBJ: |
CREDIT- TC: 302 INDEX CODE: 00000 PCA: 55555 COMP/AGY OBJ: |
DIST BASE OBJ LOW 1: HIGH 1: LOW 2: HIGH 2: |
RANGE- TYPE: LOW 3: HIGH 3: LOW 4: HIGH 4: |
AND 1: 1: 1: 1: |
ALLOC INDEX 2: INDEX 2: PCA 2: PCA 2: |
RANGE- LOW: 3: HIGH: 3: LOW: 3: HIGH: 3: |
4: 4: 4: 4: |
5: 5: 5: 5: |
INDEX PCA % INDEX PCA % INDEX PCA % |
1: 00000 20000 .25000 2: 00000 20001 .25000 3: 00000 20002 .25000 |
FIXED 4: 00000 20003 .25000 5: 6: |
PCNT 7: 8: 9: |
ALLOC 10: 11: 12: |
13: 14: 15: |
EFF ST DT: 06182008 EFF END DT: LAST PRC DT: STAT CODE: A |
|
F1-HELP F3-DEL F5-NEXT F9-INT F10-SAVE F11-SAVE/CLEAR ENTER-INQ CLEAR-EXIT |
Note that the DIST-TYPE 4 profile does not include any distribution base indicators. Distribution Type 4 does not use the BASE G/LS from the 23 profile.
An agency considers all clerical costs (Comptroller Object 4500) to be overhead. They want to allocate all clerical costs to all direct cost pools that accumulate Elected and Appointed Officials Salaries. The clerical costs will be allocated in proportion to the actual labor costs recorded.
The completed 22 Cost Allocation Profile is presented below.
Example:
S022 UC: 02 STATE OF OREGON 06/18/08 01:58 PM |
LINK TO: COST ALLOCATION PROFILE PROD |
AGENCY: 001 CA TYPE: E INDEX CODE: 00000 PCA: 55555 APPN YEAR: 15 |
TITLE: CLERICAL COST ALLOCATION PCA TYPE: 2 SEQ: 1 VAR: 3 |
DIST- TYPE: 5 RATE: DESC: CALCULATED PERCENTAGE |
CHARGE- TC: 301 ALLOC BY OBJ: N COMP/AGY OBJ: 4500 |
CREDIT- TC: 302 INDEX CODE: 00000 PCA: 55555 COMP/AGY OBJ: 4500 |
DIST BASE OBJ LOW 1: 3121 HIGH 1: 3121 LOW 2: 3835 HIGH 2: 3835 |
RANGE- TYPE: LOW 3: HIGH 3: LOW 4: HIGH 4: |
AND 1: 00000 1: 00000 1: 20000 1: 20003 |
ALLOC INDEX 2: INDEX 2: PCA 2: PCA 2: |
RANGE- LOW: 3: HIGH: 3: LOW: 3: HIGH: 3: |
4: 4: 4: 4: |
5: 5: 5: 5: |
INDEX PCA % INDEX PCA % INDEX PCA % |
1: 2: 3: |
FIXED 4: 5: 6: |
PCNT 7: 8: 9: |
ALLOC 10: 11: 12: |
13: 14: 15: |
EFF ST DT: 06282008 EFF END DT: LAST PRC DT: STAT CODE: A |
|
F1-HELP F3-DEL F5-NEXT F9-INT F10-SAVE F11-SAVE/CLEAR ENTER-INQ CLEAR-EXIT |
The general ledger accounts that contain the transactions eligible for the distribution base on this profile are found on the 23 Profile for the CA TYPE under BASE G/LS.