The Payment Cards Office provides administrative support for the University’s P-Card Program, Travel and Expense Corporate Cards Program, and Pay Cards Program for Human Subjects Studies. This office is also responsible for interfacing with ARC, the consolidated Finance system that connects Purchasing, Accounts Payable, Vendor Management, and Payment Cards.
Each payment card program provides users access to a Visa card to make purchases. Policies and conditions apply for each program. Keep scrolling to learn more!
Key Functions
Procurement Card (P-Card) Program
The University's P-Card Program is the preferred payment method for most business-related, non-travel, small-dollar purchases (under $2,500.00 per transaction by policy) of goods and limited services by Columbia University’s schools and departments. It is a cost-effective alternative to petty cash because it allows departments to make purchases promptly, track expenses, and reduce the transaction cost of processing the purchase and the payment.
Corporate Card
The Payment Card Office also manages the University’s Corporate Card Program. The Corporate Card is a credit card that can be used by individuals to pay for University-approved travel and business-related expenses. There is no annual fee associated with the card. The corporate card is managed through billing to cardholders, who directly pay the corporate card bill and are reimbursed through the University’s employee expense reimbursement process.
Pay Cards for Human Subjects Studies
Department researchers conducting studies using human subjects may compensate participants with prepaid Visa debit cards. There are two card types available depending on your compensation needs. Researchers looking for alternative options should consult How to Pay for Human Subjects Studies.