2.0 Who Should Certify DACCAS?

Ideally, the certifier is the person directly supervising the activity, who reads and understands the technical reports, and knows the corresponding cost objects as well as the individual’s effort on the projects.In general, for research projects and for WBS (sponsored) funds, this is the principal investigator (cost object supervisor).Administrative Officers are not normally acceptable certifiers of such cost objects.

In some cases, the principal investigator may choose to have his/her DACCAs routinely certified by a designated individual who has direct knowledge of the project effort - typically a research staff member, possibly of senior status.In these instances, the PI should sign a statement similar to the following, which the department’s HR Primary Authorizor should retain in department headquarters.

• “I authorize [name of designee] to certify DACCAs for the projects listed below [include project name and MIT cost object number] under my supervision, as the designated individual with direct knowledge of work performed.”

• [followed by name and signature of PI]

In cases when the PI is temporarily away from MIT and is unavailable to certify the quarterly DACCAs by the certification due date, it is recommended that a temporary designee be appointed, with a statement similar to the one below.

• “In my absence from [date] to [date], I authorize [name of designee] to certify DACCAs for the projects listed below [include project name and MIT cost object number] under my supervision, as the designated individual with direct knowledge of work performed.”

• [followed by name and signature of PI]

In addition, departments may authorize DLC administrators who are not the cost object supervisor to certify the DACCAs for cost objects for which they have direct, or reasonable, knowledge of the salary charges being made, such as:

• Department-controlled general funds
• Non-sponsored (non-WBS) funds
• UROP funds
• Professorships and fellowships

To make it easier to maintain Roles authorizations, DLC administrators may be given the authorization of eDACCA Certifier for their entire ProfitCenter with the understanding that they should only certify those cost objects for which they are permitted to use that authorization, in accordance with their job responsibilities.A list of the cost objects they are permitted to certify should be maintained locally in the department.