Purchasing Authority Thresholds
This page outlines the official structure of Purchasing Authorities Thresholds as configured in Workday. Purchasing authority levels determine the maximum dollar amount individuals are permitted to approve for institutional purchases, contracts, and capital projects. These levels are aligned with the institution’s governance policies and budgetary controls.
Authority levels are assigned based on position and reporting hierarchy, ensuring that approvals are consistent, traceable, and compliant with internal financial policies. The framework supports accountability while enabling efficient decision-making across departments.
The table below defines each level of purchasing authority by position, along with the corresponding limits and conditions:
Dollar Threshold | Pre-Approval Required | Quotes Required | Common Payment Methods & Tools | Approval Routing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$0 – $249.99 |
| No |
| Supervisor and Cost Center Manager (only one if same person) |
$250 – $9,999.99 | Yes | No |
| Supervisor and Cost Center Manager (only one if same person) |
$10,000 – $49,999.99 | Yes | Minimum of 3 suppliers |
| Supervisor and Cost Center Manager (only one if same person) + AVP of Finance |
$50,000 - $249,999.99 | Yes | Minimum of 3 suppliers |
| Supervisor and Cost Center Manager (only one if same person) + VP of Business & Finance |
$250,000+ | Yes | Minimum of 3 suppliers |
| Supervisor and Cost Center Manager (only one if same person) + VP of Business & Finance + President |
All items (Purchase Orders/Contracts with a Financial Impact/Requests for Payment/Reimbursements) must be reviewed by someone with appropriate Purchasing Authority. The requisitioner and the approver cannot be the same person.
Current Purchasing Authority Thresholds are attached: Purchasing Authorities Levels - Updated 8.6.24
No exceptions for any roles are allowed.
Remember, once an approved Purchase Order is in place, no further approvals for Requests for Payment are required. Completing a Purchase Order may reduce administrative work for senior personnel in the organization.