Finance

HANDBOOK REVISION

Handbook F-15, Travel and Relocation

Effective January 1, 2006, Handbook F-15, Travel and Relocation, was revised to reflect reimbursement rates for travel and relocation. These rates also apply to bargaining unit relocation benefits under Handbook F-12, Relocation Policy.

Handbook F-15, Travel and Relocation

* * * * *

Appendix A Rates

A-1 Standard Mileage Rates

A-1.1 Mileage Rates

[Revise A-1.1 to read as follows:]

A-1.2 Reimbursement for Postal Service Supervisors

[Revise the first sentence of A-1.2 to read as follows:]

Postal Service supervisors (see 5-5.2.1.2) will be reimbursed at the rate of $6.00 per day or 44.5 cents per mile, whichever is greater, when a privately owned vehicle is used.***

* * * * *

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed edition of Handbook F-15 and into the next online update available on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site.

• Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

• Under "Essential Links" in the left-hand column, click on References.

• Under "References" in the right-hand column, under "Policies," click on PolicyNet.

• Then click on HBKs.

(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)

—National Accounting,
Finance, 1-19-06

ANNOUNCEMENT

Internal Control Process Diagrams

Postal ServiceTM management is responsible for establishing and maintaining internal control to achieve the following objectives:

• Effective and efficient operations.

• Reliable financial reporting.

• Compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Management will consistently apply the internal control standards to meet each of the internal control objectives and to assess internal control effectiveness.

The Internal Control Group (ICG) operates as an internal consultant for enterprise risk management, assisting management in proactively improving processes towards a more performance-based culture. Internal Control analysts partner with management at the performance cluster, area, and national levels to identify through analysis, risk assessment, and review those internal controls that may keep Postal Service goals from being achieved.

As a result of these partnerships, the ICG, along with several of their partners in several other Postal Service organizations, documented various processes and developed reviews. You may use process diagrams (flow charts) and the actual reviews with work steps to assess - and improve - current practices in your office. These tools are available on the Internal Control Web site on the Postal Service Intranet:

• Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

• Click on the Inside USPS tab.

• Under "Other," click on Internal Control Group.

• Click on Process Improvement, and then Process Index.

You may send questions via e-mail to Webmaster-ICBlue.

The direct URL is http://blue.usps.gov/wps/portal/ICBlue/ProcessImprovement/ApprovedProcesses/.

—Internal Control Group, Finance, 1-19-06

CLARIFICATION

2006 Rate Increase Affects Sales of International Reply Coupons

The article "New IRC Procedures: 2006 Rate Increase Affects Sales of International Reply Coupons" published in Postal Bulletin 22170 (12-22-05, page 42) stated that effective January 8, 2006, the new rate for international reply coupons (IRCs) is $1.85. Until the new IRCs are available, Post OfficesTM stations, and branches will continue to sell $1.75 international reply coupon and will add a 10-cent stamp to the IRC.

—Revenue and Field Accounting,
Finance, 1-19-06

NOTICE

Annual Vending Machine Income Report Due Soon

A summary of vending machine income sharing and other activities related to the Randolph-Sheppard Act Amendments of 1974 is required for fiscal year 2005 (October 1, 2004, through September 30, 2005). This report (see page20) complies with an annual request from the Department of Education and Handbook EL-602, Food Service Operations, 441.3.

The report covers proceeds and/or commissions of every Postal ServiceTM installation with even a single coin- operated vending machine (stamp machines excepted) selling snacks, drinks, food, or tobacco. Postmasters, installation heads, lead plant and district managers, and district Human Resources and Headquarters field unit managers must prepare or consolidate and send reports as described below by the dates shown.

By January 31, 2006 - All Postmasters and Installation Heads

Send final reports to the processing and distribution lead plant or Customer Service and Sales district level manager. Postmasters must send consolidated reports to appropriate managers (see format for reporting vending machine income provided) including proceeds and/or commissions from vending machines at their branches and stations.

By February 17, 2006 - Lead Plant and District Managers

Consolidate reports by state and forward them to district Human Resources managers.

By March 3, 2006 - District Human Resources Managers and Headquarters Field Unit Managers

Send consolidated reports, summarized by state, to this address:

MANAGER PERSONNEL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
ANNUAL VENDING INCOME REPORT
US POSTAL SERVICE
475 L'ENFANT PLZ SW RM 1831
WASHINGTON DC 20260-4261

—Personnel Operations Support,
Employee Resource Management, 1-19-06