The university has adopted relevant best practices to assure accuracy in its financial reporting processes and strengthen their internal controls.

Why is certification required?

With the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, many publicly traded companies have been required to strengthen their internal controls to assure a higher level of integrity of their financial reporting processes. This has included modifying their closing processes to incorporate required certifications from management to ensure an appropriate level of support for the reported financial information.

While the University of California and its campuses are not subject to the reporting provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the campuses and the Office of the President do provide important financial information for incorporation into the university's annual financial report. In common with many other nonprofit entities (including institutions of higher education), the university has adopted relevant best practices to assure accuracy in its financial statements.

In your administrative oversight role for accounting and financial activities (Assistant Deans, Department Chairs, Directors, MSOs/CAOs, and Budget Analysts), you were previously required to complete the online Fiscal Close Certification at the end of each fiscal year. The annual certification is no longer required as you perform the Analytical Ledger Review (ALR), Management Ledger Review (MLR), and Quarterly Ledger Review (QLR) during the course of the fiscal year.

Commencing with the fiscal year 2020-21, as requested by the University of California Office of the President Controller’s Office, the annual certification process will only be required for vice-chancellors, provosts, and deans. These department representatives will be required to certify by letter, which will be distributed on or before Friday, August 20, 2021, and will need to be signed and returned to the UC Davis Controller’s Office by Friday, September 10, 2021.

For more information, please refer to the most recent revision to Policy and Procedure Manual 330-65.