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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
- Key Changes From Previous Systems
- Functionality (What You Can Do)
- User Roles
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
DO NOT use your browser's Back button when navigating in IC Finance Cloud
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.
Functionality (What You Can Do)
Additional documentation is in progress and will outline step-by-step procedures for the following. These are only a few of the many functions available in IC Finance Cloud.
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
Additional information and procedures can be found in articles for
Procurement.
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
Additional information and procedures can be found in articles for
Expenses.
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.