Future Students
Undergraduates
Graduates
Current Students
Undergraduates
Graduates
MTSU Alumni
Faculty and Staff

MTSU Banner Finance FAQ

Disclaimer: This FAQ is in reference to Banner Finance only. For questions regarding other administrative information systems, please contact the appropriate responsible department.

Printable format (PDF)

  • What is Banner Finance?
    • Banner is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) information system that is currently being implemented at all Tennessee Board of Regents educational institutions.
    • Banner Finance is one part of the Sungard Higher Education Banner suite of applications that replaced the administrative information system known as FRS.
  • Will FRS continue to work?
    • End users may only access financial information for fiscal years prior to 2006 in FRS.
    • All financial information for fiscal year 2006 and beyond must be accessed via Banner Finance.
  • Will SIS continue to work?
    • SIS will continue to work until it is replaced with Banner Student.
    • End users will be notified of the Banner Student implementation date and training availability.
  • When will I receive training on Banner Finance?
    • MTSU Business and Budget offices regularly hold departmental training sessions for Self Service Banner and e~Print, and end users are notified via email ahead of time.
    • Training documentation for Banner Finance is available at the Business Office Web site.
  • How do I obtain a user ID and PIN for Banner Finance?
    • If you previously had access to FRS, you should have already received a user ID and PIN for Banner Finance.
    • If you are a new employee or a new user, you must complete and submit the MTSU Banner Finance Account Request form.
  • How do I access Banner?
    • Users may access Internet Native Banner, Self Service Banner, and e~Print here.
    • Access to Internet Native Banner and Self Service Banner is restricted to on campus, wired Internet connections only (NOTE: you CANNOT connect to these systems using the MTSU wireless network).
  • What is the difference between Internet Native Banner (INB) and Self Service Banner (SSB)?
    • Internet Native Banner (INB) is intended for heavy users and those requiring more administrative functionality.
    • Self Service Banner (SSB) is intended for light users and does not include the more complex features found in INB.
    • The majority of users will utilize SSB.
  • Are there any system restrictions?
    • SSB automatically logs out after 2 hours of inactivity.
  • How do I access my department's monthly financial reports?
    • As with FRS, monthly financial reports are available via e~Print.
    • You may refer to the e~Print Quick Guide.
  • What is a Banner Finance index code?
    • What used to be known as an account in FRS is now an index code in Banner Finance (without a dash -).
    • An index code is merely a shortcut to a Banner Finance FOAPAL.
  • What is a FOAPAL?
    • FOAPAL is an acronym for an accounting string in a Banner Finance; it relates to Fund, Organization, Account, Program, Activity, and Location.
    • Although you can still use your index code in Banner Finance, users need to become familiar with their department organization code.
  • How do I know my department's FOAPAL?
    • You may use the code lookup utility on the Business Office Web site.
    • You may also reference your FOAPAL in a SSB budget query.
  • What is a Banner Finance account code?
    • What used to be known as an FRS object code is now a Banner Finance account code.
    • Banner Finance account codes are 5 digits, whereas FRS object codes were 4 digits.
    • Salary and wage account codes begin with a 6, and expense account codes begin with a 7.
    • For example, the supplies FRS object code 4510 is now the Banner Finance account code 74510.
  • How will I know what the equivalent Banner Finance account code is for a certain FRS object code?
    • You may use the code lookup utility on the Business Office Web site.
    • The Department Reference Guide and Banner Code Listing documentation is also distributed during the beginner's end user training sessions and is available by request from MTSU Accounting Services office.
  • Are there any new requirements for grants?
    • Grants are treated like other departments.
    • The only difference is that when performing a SSB budget query, you must populate the Grant Code field.
    • Your grant code is the same as your fund code.
  • Are there any new requirements for viewing Foundation financial activity?
    • Foundation financial information is obtained via the same processes as one would use for viewing University financial information.
    • The only difference is that you must specify Chart F in INB, SSB, and e~Print.
  • Why can't I view general ledger activity in SSB?
    • General ledger activity can only be viewed in INB or e~Print.
    • You may refer to the e~Print Quick Guide.
  • Are there new processes for payment and travel authorization requests?
    • No. Users will still follow the same processes.
    • The only difference is that travel authorization requests are no longer encumbered.
    • NOTE: Employees who receive their payroll direct deposit advice via email will also receive travel and other reimbursement notifications via their MTSU email address.
  • Who do I contact if I have a question about a specific charge?
    • You should contact the appropriate department responsible for the charge.
    • You can identify the responsible department by the type of document posted to your organization.
    • For example, if the document begins with a "BS", it is a bookstore charge and you should contact Phillips Bookstore. If the document begins with an "I0", it is an invoice and you should contact Accounting Services.
    • You may access the list of document codes on the Business Office Web site.

2011 Middle Tennessee State University, a Tennessee Board of Regents institution 1301 East Main Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37132-0001 USA +1.615.898.2300

Middle Tennessee State University, in its educational programs and activities involving students and employees, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or age. Furthermore, the university does not discriminate against veterans or individuals with disabilities.

Regents Online Campus Collaborative