Since salary expense represents the largest direct cost component on sponsored projects and effort reporting processes are currently under scrutiny by the Office of Inspector General, this system will reduce the compliance risks inherent in the current process and protect the campuses from sizeable audit disallowances and the loss of federal funding, which could be consequences of having an ineffective effort reporting system. It will display effort report detail that is clear and understandable to the user, capture certification electronically so that the system can monitor completion and provide an audit trail, provide a simple method of correcting and re-certifying reports, and notify individuals and departments of reporting deadline requirements.

Training and documentation materials have been developed in modules for various audiences such as PIs, department administrators and fund managers. The materials are comprehensive and web-based with audio narration so that each participant can review an individually tailored series of modules at his or her own pace and convenience. Extramural Fund Management will establish a training website to host the training materials starting in mid-July.

Pilot testing of ERS has been conducted at both the UCLA and UC Davis campuses during the first six months of 2006. UCLA anticipates implementing ERS during mid-August for use with the Spring 2006 effort reports.

Additional updates and communications to the campus research community will be made in the ensuing months. More information regarding ERS can be found at www.ucop.edu/ers.

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Last page update on 05/26/2006