Courses

The FAST Program Overview provides information about

• the requirements of FAST
• FAST compliance dates
• where to find FAST courses
• supervisor information
• and more 

The Financial Foundations Account Reconciliation course discusses the process of verifying financial transactions to ensure the accuracy and integrity of Financial reporting records. It also details the importance of protecting the University's assets, which serves as a key element of the University's system of internal controls.

The FAST Fundamentals of Fraud Prevention Series consists of three courses. It is highly recommended that you take the courses in order. This course, FAST's Fundamentals of Fraud Prevention I, is part of the introductory FAST Financial Fundamentals program. It addresses the issues of fraud, waste, and abuse, and examines their impact on the university. The Fraud Triangle is introduced to help you understand why fraud occurs. You will also learn relevant policy and procedures required by UK, how to help you recognize suspected fraudulent behavior and how to report suspected fraud, waste and abuse. 

The Internal Controls and Fiscal Responsibility course defines the meaning of internal controls and fiscal responsibility. The course also explains the importance of compliance and why it is needed. It reviews the COSO model and teaches you as a University of Kentucky employee how to identify control weaknesses in your area, as well as help you to recognize fraud and implement best practices.

The Amazon Business course goes into the benefits of making use of the Amazon Business shopping platform as a supplementary purchasing method when needed. The course also details the purchasing process and explains the role of employees, shoppers and departmental approvers.

The Campus Payroll course explains remuneration statements, pay to pay comparison reports, and details payroll schedules and cycles. It also teaches the learner how to view employee pay statements, while also giving a brief overview of STEPS payroll.

The Cash Handing Basics course defines "cash" at UK, while also exploring the regulations, policies and procedures around cash acceptance. The course also explains cash handling roles and responsibilities as well as departmental cash handling procedures.

The Cash Handling II: Operational Procedures course explains methods for safeguarding cash, the importance of reconciliation, as well as the procedures for receiving and recording cash. The course also details the importance of internal controls at the University of Kentucky.

The Cash Handling III: Deposit Process course details the procedures for preparing funds for the deposit, including online transmittals within the SAP system. It also explains deposit assembly and how to properly separate the different fund types. Moreover, it details what documents are required to accompany the deposit and ways in which the deposit can be made, as well as what to do post deposit.

The Cost Distribution Entry Model (CDEM) course explains the purpose of CDEM and how it is utilized. The course also covers how to access it, the different roles for users, as well as the various functions within CDEM such as commitments, distributions, AVC checks and workflows.

This course covers the institution's policies and procedures, cybersecurity and privacy concepts, and best practices for protecting yourself and the University from cyber threats.
Key topics include:

•    Identifying at-risk devices and protecting personal and University information from cyberattacks.
•    Ensuring the security of your credentials and following password management guidelines.
•    Best practices for social media use and sharing information securely.
•    Connecting to secure Wi-Fi networks and using VPNs.
•    Keeping your devices secure by setting automatic locks, checking privacy settings, and using approved apps.
 

Remember, cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility. By following these guidelines, you can help protect yourself, your colleagues, and the University from cyber threats.

The Discretionary Funds course discusses the roles and responsibilities for discretionary funds, as well as their sources and purpose. It also covers topics such as how to determine when a cost center is discretionary, and the different categories of the policy when pertaining to discretionary funds.

The Employee Taxes course discusses the different types of payroll taxes and the terminology associated with them, while also giving a broad overview of how payroll taxes are calculated and reported by the University. The course also gives a review of federal, state, and local taxes as well as reviews W-2s and how to opt in for online delivery.

Faculty Advancement: Appointments covers the policies and procedures that govern faculty appointments, the timeline for appointing a new faculty member, the components of academic appointments, the faculty database, CDEM, distribution of effort (DOE), as well as faculty leave policies.

The Financial Allocation Models (FAM) Basics course introduces the Net Tuition Revenue (NTR), College Productivity Model (CPM), and Performance Funding Allocation (PFA) models and how they were built in relation to each other. The course also discusses the metrics that guide the formulas of funding, as well as reviews College Base Reallocation.

Fiscal Year-End Close reviews the "Fiscal Year-End" process and why it is important. It also covers key topics such as accurate reporting, proper planning for deadlines and your role in the process.

FAST's Fundamentals of Fraud Prevention II is the next course in the three-part FAST Fundamentals of Fraud Prevention Series. It is highly recommended that you complete these courses in order. Part II explores operational risks and various types of fraud, focusing on the types that occur more frequently in higher education and healthcare institutions. The importance of utilizing internal controls for fraud prevention is demonstrated. The related policies and procedures are reviewed, including your responsibility to report suspected fraud and how to report it.

FAST's Fundamentals of Fraud Prevention III is the last course in the three-part FAST Fundamentals of Fraud Prevention Series. It is highly recommended that you complete these courses in order. Building on the information presented in the first two courses, fraud duration and velocity are introduced to emphasize the importance of identifying fraud early. Additionally, a more in-depth discussion on fraud indicators, fraud prevention and fraud reporting are continued but in greater detail. 

The Grant Account Closeout course explains the deadline for grant closeout, the complete timeline for not only account close communication and review, but also of account closure. The course also  details the importance of a timely closeout.

The How to Buy Part 1 course covers the three procurement methods to buy goods and services. It also explains transaction streams for each purchase method, as well as the various checks and balances in the transaction stream process.

The How to Buy Part 2 course discusses topics such as Purchase Orders (POs), Payment Request Documents (PRDs), and gives additional information on Procurement Cards.

The HR Compensation: Job Classification course reviews the University’s Total Compensation philosophy and the functions of Human Resources Compensation and how they can assist position reclassification. It identifies the essential fields that need to be updated in the Position and Employee Master Data Records as well as the decisions surrounding making a counteroffer to a prospective employee. 

The Human Resources Employee Benefits course explains core benefits for employees & dependents, as well as optional benefits for employees and their dependents. The course also supplies information on ACA/COBRA and can help in determining who is eligible for benefits.

The HR Employee Records and Unemployment FAST training provides an overview of how the University of Kentucky protects personal information within employee records and outlines departmental responsibilities for securely maintaining and transferring those records. It also explains how to request employee files, obtain a Verification of Employment, and navigate Open Records Requests.

The course also covers the process for applying for unemployment benefits, the role of UK’s Human Resources Unemployment Office, and how it coordinates with the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance. Supervisors will learn their responsibilities in managing unemployment claims, including documentation and separation procedures.

The Human Resources Employee Relations and Leave Administration course describes the role of the UK Employee Relations department and how they support the University. Leave Administration details what to do when workplace injuries occur and how to contact Workers' Compensation and reviews long-term disability and what that means to an employee. Finally, it discusses Family Medical Leave and how UK can assist employees by offering additional benefits and resources.

The Human Resources Personnel Action Requests (PAR) Processing course offers an overview of the PAR process and its essential role in ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time. The course provides insight into the responsibilities of PAR Processors within HR Compensation and provides guidance on completing the Online Workflow for Base Pay.

The FAST Imprest Funds I course explains what an imprest fund is and the various types that are offered for use in campus operations. It reviews the BPM guidelines that ensure compliance and also discusses the roles and responsibilities of Custodians for Imprest Funds.

The FAST Imprest Funds II course details how to establish an imprest fund and the processes necessary to maintain a fund. It also discusses the alternatives to imprest fund: the declining balance procard and the loadable card program.

The Non-endowed and Endowed Gifts Basics course gives a general overview of non-endowed and endowed gifts, as well as the roles and responsibilities of UK Philanthropy, UFS Endowment and Gift Accounting, as well as any department that receives gifts. The course also discusses how to accept, manage and monitor gifts according to University policy.

The Non-endowed and Endowed Gifts Advancement Fee Basics course explains advancement fees and how they are allocated, while also discussing the roles and responsibilities of employees in relation to advancement fees, and how these fees are assessed. The course also covers special scenarios that apply to advancement fees.

The Off Campus Leasing course provides an overview of off-campus leasing requirements, covers state statutes and policies, and explains the multi-step compliance process that the Real Estate Services office must follow. Additionally, the course reviews involvement of Information Technology Services in off-campus leasing.

The Operating Budget Part 1 course discusses Expense Classifications, both natural and Functional, as well as Fund Accounting, including Current, Non-Current, and Agency. The course also covers Budget Development Models and Operating Budgets.

The Principal Investigator (PI) Reports course explains the role of a Principal Investigator (PI) at the University of Kentucky, as well as how one accesses and navigates the PI Reports interface on Tableau. This course details the usage of filters to analyze grant budget and expenditure data and the steps to create custom views in Tableau, with additional explanations of how to subscribe to a single view or an entire workbook, with additional information on what is viewable within these reports. Finally, the course also highlights some frequently asked question surrounding PI Reports.

The Procurement Basics course explains the responsibilities of the Procurement Department, as well as details job roles within the Procurement space. It also explains the different purchasing methods such as procards, SRM Shopping Cart and Payment Request Documents. The course also discusses other topics such as, contract providers and supplier diversity, and the meaning of delegated and signature authority. Finally, it also discusses risk mitigation as it relates to Procurement.

The Procurement Card course defines what is a procurement card and their usage at the University of Kentucky. The course also discusses who is responsible for them, the policies surrounding the card and what is allowable to be purchased with them.

The SAP Vendor Master Data and Onboarding course describes what SAP is, why it is important, and why it is used. The course also details different vendor types and stem components, as well as detailing how one can ensure separation of duties when onboarding independent vendors and why they are essential.

The FAST Service Center and Recharge Operations I course provides an overview of the standards, regulations, and requirements governing University service centers and recharge operations. The course also outlines the procedure for submitting a request to establish a new service center or recharge operation.

The Sponsored Projects course discusses varies topics such as Uniform Guidance, Cost Account Principles, cost tranfers, and Payroll Confirmations. It also explains the importance of reconciliation.

The Surplus Property course identifies how to determine what is surplus property, as well as walk you through the process of turning in surplus property from your department. This also includes additional steps for turning in electronic devices and hazardous materials. The course also explains how you can make use of and reuse Surplus Property for the benefit of your department.

The Travel course discusses the benefits of making use of UK Travel Services. It also details the overall process of travel including:  travel expenses, restrictions, requirements and reimbursements. The course also goes into responsibilities of the traveler and what to do with receipts and navigating expense reports.

The UK HealthCare Payroll course discusses Kronos and why it is important, as well as time manager responsibilities and finalizing timecards. The course also details other topics such as Kronos' leave request features, other modules in Kronos such as Leave, Attendance, and FMLA. Moreover, the course also instructs learners on how to add pay codes and track certification expiration.

• Annual Physical Equipment Inventory Overview

• Annual Physical Equipment Inventory Detail

• Chart of Accounts

• Endowment Spending Distribution Utilizations

• Fiscal Year-End Accruals

• Functional Areas

• Goods Receipts

• Introduction to COI

• Legal Basics

• Non-endowed and Endowed Gifts: Advancement Fee II

• Process of Payroll Confirmations I and II

• Sponsored Projects Financial Management for the PI

• Concur: Tips and Tricks
• Contract Management
• Essential Financial Management II
• Federal Work Study Relationship
• Independent Contractor/Worker Status Evaluation Form
• International Travel
• Non-endowed and Endowed Gifts: Advancement Fee III (Journal Vouchers)
• Non-endowed and Endowed Gifts: Reporting and Reconciliation
• Office of Faculty Advancement Topics
• Pay Equity
• Payments to Research Subjects
• Philanthropy Topics
• Plant Funds
• Separation of Duties
• Supplier Diversity
• Travel II
• UK HealthCare Accounts Payable