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  • 1.  Dual use of Advancement Merchant Services by Admissions

    Posted 04-03-2024 03:42 PM

    Hi all,

    Leadership at my org is inquiring what systems we use in Advancement because the institution 'needs a solution to process automatic monthly payments of student tuition.' Besides a plain and simple "no" in response to another department using our merchant accounts or donation management systems for processing payments, can someone direct me to documentation or precedents for why this isn't a good idea? I know the answer needs to be a no, but I don't exactly have the language or statutory reference to back up my answer if leadership inquires further after my simple explanation sent today of "tax purposes and auditing"?

    Thanks for the help here.


     



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    Melissa Rufener
    Life Pacific University
    mrufener@lifepacific.edu
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  • 2.  RE: Dual use of Advancement Merchant Services by Admissions

    Posted 04-03-2024 04:28 PM
    There is no reason they cannot use their merchant account and a separate license for whatever application you use. We had multiple merchant accounts at NC State - one for each foundation plus the University. The application we used over a decade ago allowed for those multiple merchant accounts on the same platform but different payment sites pointing to the proper account.

    You do not want to commingle these payments, as they must be easily separated and automatically transferred to proper funds. You both need to pay your own fees and separating those out will be a royal pain.

    John

    John H. Taylor, Principal
    John H. Taylor Consulting, LLC
    2604 Sevier Street
    Durham, NC     27705

    919.816.5903 (cell/text)

    Serving the Advancement Community Since 1987






  • 3.  RE: Dual use of Advancement Merchant Services by Admissions

    Posted 04-04-2024 06:54 AM

    Hi Melissa, we share Anthology with Admissions to process application fees and enrollment deposits, processed through different merchants.  We also allow other departments to register events through Anthology.  We haven't encountered any issues.  They all have their own pages and accounts for processing as well as separate fund GL codes on the Business Office side. 

    Michael



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    Michael Manning
    University of New England
    Mmanning6@une.edu
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