The COMBINED DAF/FFE APPLICATIONform is for users who need access to the Financial Front End (FFE) System, and/or who need Departmental Authorization Function (DAF) authority. 

(Note:  To apply for DAF/FFE, you need to have a Columbia UNI.  Click here for more info.)

Use this application to:

- Set up a new DAF approver and/or FFE User

- Modify a User’s access

- Change a User’s home department in DAF/FFE if it has changed in People@Columbia (PAC)

- Delete a User’s access

What is DAF authority?

DAF authority is a critical component of the University’s control system.  It assigns levels of authority to University employees to approve key transactions on the University’s behalf.  DAF authority is assigned for many transactions, including approval of purchase requisitions, invoice payments, salary accounting forms, journal entries, and Purchasing Card (“P-Card”) transactions.  For certain transactions, DAF authority is based on dollar thresholds that limit how much an individual is authorized to approve (see policy for more info)

DAF Dollar Limitations

All DAF authority except “unlimited DAF authority” is subject to limitations on the type or size of transactions that may be authorized.  University employees may only be assigned the following DAF limits for purchase requisitions, invoice payments and P-Card transactions.  It is not permitted for a DAF to split the purchase of merchandise in order to circumvent these transaction limits.

Limitation thresholds:

Up to $500

Up to $2,500

Up to $15,000

Up to $30,000

Up to $100,000

Up to $500,000

Unlimited **

** Certain officers at the Executive Vice President (“EVP”) level and above will have unlimited authority to approve any level of purchase requisitions and payments or to approve any other transaction subject to this policy.  These individuals are designated as having “Unlimited DAF authority.” 

(If you are someone with the old limits of $1,000, $10,000, or Unlimited, you will be notified before your limits are changed.)

DAF/FFE Administrators

DAF/FFE Administrators are the only individuals authorized (by the Office of the Controller) to delegate DAF authority and approve the creation, modification or deletion of DAF authority within the departments for which they have been designated. They are also responsible for administering access to FFE (see below).  A DAF/FFE Administrator may be a senior officer such as a Dean, Vice President or a Senior Financial Officer such as an Associate Dean or Assistant Vice President.  DAF/FFE Administrators should assign appropriate DAF authorization to employees of their unit, considering what is necessary within the scope of the employee’s responsibilities.

For a List of DAF/FFE Administrators by department, please refer to the More Reports section in FinSys (my.columbia.edu).

Click here to view the entire DAF policy.

What is FFE?

The Financial Front End (FFE) provides a convenient and secure method to access, record, edit and electronically transmit and track specific financial data.  (Note:  WebSAF and the Budgeting Tool are FFE Modules that are found on the My.Columbia portal.)

For more information about FFE (including FinSys, WebSAF, DARTS, and the Budget Tool) navigate to the Finance Technology systems page. 

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CLICK HERE to download the Combined DAF/FFE Application

Submitting the Form

After you and your manager has signed the form, send it to your DAF/FFE Administrator for processing. For a List of DAF/FFE Administrators by department, please refer to the More Reports section in FinSys (my.columbia.edu).

If you are part of CUMC, please have your department head sign the application and submit it to: Raquel Oquendo, Deputy Controller for Internal Controls and Compliance, CUMC [P&S 2-440 - rm2698@columbia.edu or call 212-305-9622]

If you are part of School of Arts & Sciences, please have your department head sign the application and submit it to: Audrey Rosenblatt, VP Arts & Sciences [105 Low Library, MC4202]

If no DAF/FFE Administrator is listed for your department, please have your department head sign the application and submit it to: Georgia Pike, Financial Reporting and Operations, Office of the Controller [615 West 131st Street, 3rd Floor-Studebaker Building, MC8738]

How will I know if my access has been approved?

An e-mail will be automatically generated that will go to User and DAF/FFE administrator once a new ID is set up. An email will NOT be sent if an application is just modified. 

Related Links

For information about approvals, access, and ID information for related financial systems, click on the following links:

Purchasing Card (P-Card)

AP/CAR Access and Approvals (Accounts Payable System)

AP Supplemental Approval (for approving travel & business expense overages)

DARTS Reporting System (Financial Accounting System reporting)