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California State University, Long BeachCalifornia State University, Long Beach
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Signature Authority Summary

Reasons for New Signature Authority Guideline

In an effort to consolidate multiple lists maintained by different departments, management has collaborated to create and manage one single signature authority list that will apply to the entire campus for Administration and Finance transactions/activities. This new method will eliminate confusion and provide a single location to update signature authorizations.

Signature Authority Guideline

Origin of the Signature Authority Guideline

  • Legislature delegates authority over certain activities to the California State University (CSU).
  • The CSU, Office of the Chancellor, delegates Signature Authority to the university president provided they comply with all applicable statutes, regulations, and policies of the Board of Trustees.
  • The President is accountable for university activities and expects those with signature authority to safeguard University resources by establishing and maintaining business controls (CSULB Guidelines/Policies).
  • CSULB Administrative Guidelines ensure efficient University operations by outlining the appropriate signature authority and delegation of authority required for various transactions and activities.

Levels of CSULB Signature Authority

Based on their level in the organization, the University has provided signature authority to certain individuals to approve various transactions.
Related forms will deem Level 1-4 Appropriate Administrator and Level 5 as Approver.

  • Level 1 = President
  • Level 2 = Direct reports to the Level 1, typically (but not limited to) Provost, Vice President, Athletic Director
  • Level 3 = Direct reports to Level 2, typically (but not limited to) Deans, Associate Vice Presidents, Assistant Vice Presidents
  • Level 4 = Management Personnel or Academic Equivalent, typically (but not limited to) Associate Deans, Department Chairs, Directors, ASMs Division Fiscal Officers, Managers
  • Level 5 = Non management personnel, typically (but not limited to) Assistant ASMs

Use the Signature Authority Guideline to determine which level of signature authority is authorized to sign for the transactions/activities on the form being signed/processed. (Levels above those with Authority to Execute may also sign.)

Changes to Signature Authority

To assign, change, or cancel Signature Authority, access the Signature Authorization for Financial and Human Resources form.

Definitions

Delegation of authority:
A written conveyance of authority from the Board of Trustees to the campus presidents and/or designees
Delegator:
The employee who has authority to take action on behalf of the university, college or department and transfers (delegates) his/her authority to another University employee (Delegate)
Delegate:
The employee who is officially transferred the authority to act on behalf of the delegator
Signature authority:
The permission to execute and/or approve a transaction(s) up to limits established by relevant University policies (authority to use a specific set of chartfields)
Appropriate Administrator:
Manager, or academic equivalent, granted authority through delegation and/or the signature authority guideline
Approver:
Individual (typically non-management) authorized through the signature authority guideline to expend funding from chartfields (both State and/or Foundation )