All private and public entities doing business within the state generate liabilities for daily operations and when complying with local, state and federal laws and regulations. At Santa Barbara Unified School District these liabilities are paid through the commercial warrants process by accounts payable.
The fiscal services department processes warrants on a weekly basis to pay the liabilities of the district. Prior to warrants being processed, accounts payable personnel verify that the payments are authorized by the use of requisitions, purchase orders, invoices, expense reimbursements and other district approved forms. Administrator signatures are required for reimbursements.
A report is made to the governing board each meeting that normally covers the 2-week period preceding the regular scheduled board meeting.
A warrant is a written order, drawn by the local education agency’s (LEA’s) governing board or its authorized officer(s) or employee(s). It is approved by the county superintendent of schools and allowed by the county auditor, directing the county treasurer to pay a specified amount to a designated payee. Warrants differ from checks in that checks are payable upon demand, while warrants are payable only if there is a sufficient balance in the county treasury.