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SOFO
 
HOURS: Regular Hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM to 4 PM
Academic Break: Mon-Fri 9 AM to 1 PM
(847) 491-2328 • sofo@northwestern.edu
First Floor
 
 
 

The Student Organization Finance Office (SOFO) serves as the banking center for all student groups recognized by Northwestern University. As such, it facilitates financial transactions and offers an independent and verifiable record of all the activity that occurs on these organizational accounts.

Student organizations are financially accountable to their members and the student body at large. Though they are not recognized as legal entities outside of Northwestern, they do, at times, “represent” the University unofficially by the programs and activities they sponsor and make available to the general Evanston public. This association with the University brings them many benefits (e.g., exempt status from Illinois sales tax) and responsibilities (e.g., adherence to documentation requirements).

SOFO is committed to providing student organizations with a financial framework that helps student treasurers maintain accurate and detailed records while allowing them and student presidents the flexibility to pursue their organizations’ stated purposes and objectives.

 
SOFO Forms
 
Statement on Financial Integrity and Conflict of Interest

SOFO actively seeks to improve its operations with regard to service and financial integrity. All SOFO employees are trained according to very strict policies and guidelines. Of primary emphasis in this training is the role of the staff members as verifiers. SOFO employees do not authorize transactions; they simply verify that the transaction requests made at the service counter are congruous with respect to the SOFO Policies and Procedures SOFO

If a student employee is also an officer of a student organization, that student must interact with SOFO in the same exact manner as would any other student group officer. The person must initiate the transactions at the service counter outside of the office. Further, (s)he cannot assist in processing any transaction affecting her/his own group’s account.

  SOFO OFFICER QUIZ

This quiz is "Open Book", the purpose is to insure that the handbook is read and that the SOFO Policies and Procedures are understood. You must achieve 100% before you may transact with SOFO.

Email address *
 
First name *
 
Last name *
 
Organization name *
 
Your position *
President Treasurer
 
At the beginning of every quarter, the President or Treasurer must balance the organization’s ledger book with the Student Organization Finance Office. *
True False
 
Who is the Coordinator for the Student Organization Finance Office? *
A. Gigi Greene B. Judy McHugh
C. Frank Zambrano D. Sarah Thompson
 
SOFO will accept receipts for reimbursement within how many days of the purchase date? *
A. 30 days B. 60 days
C. 90 days
 
Vouchers may be turned in by the President or Treasurer in person, left at the Main Desk, and sent by mail. *
True False
 
Your Organization's Advisor's signature is not required on receipts for reimbursement. *
True False
 
Students are allowed to sign as the University Representative on a contract. *
True False
 
All checks take 2-3 days to process. An Emergency check may be issued for the next business day. What is the amount of the Emergency Check Fee? *
A. $30.00 B. $10.00
C. $28.00 D. $15.00
 
All checks to be deposited in to your account must be made payable to Northwestern University. *
True False
 
Which of the following is an acceptable form of proof of payment? *
A. Credit card statement B. Carbon copy of a personal check
C. Credit card receipt w/ itemized receipt D. Invoice marked "PAID"
E. A & B F. C & D
 
What is the maximum amount one check advance may be made out for? *
A. $300.00 B. $500.00
C. $1,000.00 D. $200.00
 
SOFO can reimburse for services paid out of pocket. *
True False
 
Who has authorization to pick up tax exempt forms? *
A. Treasurers only B. Presidents or treasurers
C. Anyone in the organization D. Advisors only
 

* is a required answer