Individuals identified by their School or Center as Preparers or Approvers of Non-PO requests are assigned web-based training in Knowledge Link. The training is assigned based on the roles individuals have in the non-PO Payment Request process. These roles are part of the basis for an electronic workflow process to create, approve and submit Non-PO Payment Requests, Non-PO Credit Memos, and Non-PO Special Payment Requests.
As background, a Preparer is a person within a School or Center who can create and submit Non-PO Payment Requests. There is no limitation on the number of Preparers in any given School or Center and anyone with a PennKey can be a Preparer. These individuals are tasked with accurately creating a Non-PO Payment Request for submission.
An Approver has the ability to review and approve a Non-PO Payment Request to authorize payment. Each Approver is assigned a dollar-level approval and can authorize payments up to that amount. An Approver also may forward Non-PO Payment Requests to additional Penn colleagues for approval if needed. It is the responsibility of an Approver to review all of the information on the request, the account string, and any attachments for complete and accurate information, a valid University business purpose, and compliance with all University policies before authorizing it for payment. Please also ensure no confidential information is included in the uploads in the Non-PO payment request including medical information or Social Security #'s.
Penn Marketplace training for Preparers and Approvers: Individuals required to take to this training can do so in Knowledge Link. There are two web-based, self-paced training courses:
- Preparers of Non-PO Requests – this course will build knowledge about the new procedures, processes, and practices related to the Non-Payment Requests and Credit Memos as well as provide instruction for using the application to prepare and submit form requests in Penn Marketplace.
- Approvers of Non-PO Requests – this additional training module for Approvers will build upon the Preparers’ course by providing instruction about using the application along with the defined workflow to review and approve form requests.
Questions about these courses for Preparers and Approvers may be directed to doftraining@pobox.upenn.edu.
Training materials have been provided to the supplier community. Visit the Reference Guides section of Purchasing's Doing Business with Penn website.
Penn users also have access to a robust series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). They have been categorized by several topics: Preparers and Approvers, Non-P.O Payment Requests, Supplier Onboarding, and General Questions.
Penn Marketplace-related inquiries can be directed to the team via PennMarketplace@upenn.edu.