Cost Transfers

A cost transfer is any adjustment or transfer of expenditure to/from an externally funded contract or grant. Cost transfers include reclassification of salary, wages, and other direct costs (goods and services and travel). Diligent review of financial records should prevent the necessity for cost transfers; however, transfers may be appropriate under certain circumstances.

Costs directly charged to sponsored awards must comply with the cost principles outlined in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200). The circular explicitly states that expenses “may not be shifted to other sponsored agreements in order to meet deficiencies caused by overruns or other fund considerations, to avoid restrictions imposed by law or by terms of the sponsored agreement, or for other reasons of convenience.” Expenditures should be directly charged to the project account. If overspending occurs, a cost transfer should immediately be processed to move the error to a different account.