Overview of IC Finance Cloud

Summary

IC Finance Cloud is Ithaca College's streamlined, modern, cloud-based financial software. It is used for all financial functions previously performed in Parnassus or using external tools such as EZ Pay, IC Marketplace, and BudgetPak. Below is a basic overview of the purpose of this platform and how to navigate within it.

 

Audience

This article is intended for all faculty and staff.

 

Platform

IC Finance Cloud

 

Contents

 

Navigating in IC Finance Cloud

 

Logging In

IC Finance Cloud is compatible with any web browser, though Chrome and Firefox are recommended.

The IC Cloud platform can be reached by clicking the top-right tile on the apps.ithaca.edu home page. Use your NetPass and Duo authentication to sign in.

 

Home Page

This is the page you will see when first logging in. Follow the diagram below for a quick reference on navigating the main page:

 

Fig. 1 Home Page - Top left corner contains Navigator icon and Ithaca College logo which serves as a Home button; Top right corner contains Home house icon, Favorites star icon, and Notifications bell icon; Tabs area is near top of screen, below good morning/afternoon/evening greeting; Apps area containing different colored icons is near center of screen; Scroll down page to see Things to Finish work area, not shown

  • Home - Navigates to the home page from anywhere in IC Finance Cloud
  • Tabs - Clicking different tabs (e.g. Me, My Team, Procurement) changes what appears in the Apps area
  • Apps - This area contains apps indicated by colored icons, which are used to perform various financial functions
  • Navigator - Also referred to as the "hamburger," the navigator is an alternative way of accessing the functions contained in the Apps area
  • Favorites - You can use this area to save and provide quick access to pages you visit often
  • Notifications - A number will be displayed here if you have any outstanding items or unread notifications, which you can access by clicking the bell icon
  • Things to Finish - Outstanding items will also be displayed on the home page under Things to Finish

 

Tasks and Search

When working within many of the available financial apps, the Tasks and Search icons will be shown along the right side of the screen.

Fig. 2 Tasks (vertical rectangle containing three bars) and Search (magnifying glass) icons are located along right side of screen when working within financial apps

  • Tasks - Clicking this icon brings up a menu of performable tasks related to the app you are using
  • Search - This function allows you to find, view, and edit records within an app

 

 

Key Changes From Previous Systems

Our transition to IC Finance Cloud introduces several key changes to our financial policies and processes. If you have not done so already, please review the following information regarding these changes, as communicated to Parnassus financial users during the Spring 2020 semester.

 

Changes to Chart of Accounts

Procurement in IC Finance Cloud

Expenses in IC Finance Cloud

 

 

Functionality (What You Can Do)

 

View General Ledger Account Information

Financial users can view detailed information on the accounts in their department(s). The Budgetary Control app allows users to perform account inquiries on all accessible accounts, as well as initiating Budget Transfers.

Navigation from home page: Budgetary Control -> Budgetary Control

Fig. 3.1 Budgetary Control app under Budgetary Control tab on IC Cloud home page

 

 

Procurement (Purchasing)

The IC Finance Cloud Procurement tool is our replacement for the IC Marketplace platform. Users can easily view, create, and edit Requisitions (requests for purchases) and receive orders.

Navigation from home page: Procurement -> Purchase Requisitions

Fig. 3.2 Purchase Requisitions app under Procurement tab on IC Cloud home page

 

 

Expenses

Request, approve, and manage any Travel or Purchasing credit card activity and out-of-pocket spending using the Expenses app.

Navigation from home page: Me -> Expenses

Fig. 3.3 Expenses app under Me tab on IC Cloud home page

 

Invoicing

The Procurement and Expense modules are our preferred methods for the request, approval, and management of spending. However, on an exception basis, invoices can be paid by working with the Accounts Payable team using an alternative method. Imaged invoices can be sent to a dedicated email address.

 

User Roles

Cost Center Manager

For each department code in the General Ledger, there will be one associated Cost Center Manager. This employee will oversee all Procurement and Expense activity charged to accounts with their associated department code(s).

 

Procurement Roles

There are two main roles in IC Finance Cloud Procurement:

  • Requestor - All users of the Procurement tool are Requestors. They can browse catalogs, build a shopping cart, create a requisition, enter General Ledger account information, and submit a requisition
  • Preparer -  This role will be limited to a smaller number of users. Preparers have the ability to create a requisition on behalf of another user.

 

 

 

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