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UFR eFiling System - Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

1. What internet browser can be used to access the UFR eFile system?
2. How can I print specific schedules or sheets when viewing Excel Workbooks in Internet Explorer?
3. If an OSD administrator makes user profile changes, will the system require the CPA and/or contractor to change the password?
4. When a contractor assigns a CPA to a filing period, is the assignment specific to a fiscal year?
5. May a CPA access UFR filings that are not assigned to it during the active UFR filing period?
6. Must Schedule D-1 Performance and Output Measures be fully completed prior to filing a UFR?
7. May a contractor or CPA make changes to the UFR template after it has been uploaded to the efile system?
8. Once a filing has been initiated, can it be saved and uploaded to OSD at a later time?
9. Who changes the contractor’s UFR filing status?
10. How long does it take to get the request for a user profile approved once the request has been submitted to OSD?
11. Once passwords have been changed by CPAs and/or contractors, can multiple users within the CPA’s or contractor’s firm receive confirmation e-mails notifying them of the change?
12. Are the UFR eFile passwords case sensitive (upper or lower case)?
13. Must a CPA (or CPA firm) have its profile approved by OSD before a contractor can assign it to a particular filing period?
14. Can multiple UFR files be uploaded at one time?
15. How can a CPA “sign” its reports since signatures are required on independent auditor’s reports?
16. Can a contractor delete files that have been uploaded by its CPA?
17. Can a contractor file the entire UFR and/or piecemeal resubmissions?

Answers

1. What internet browser can be used to access the UFR eFile system?

Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4.0 or higher or Netscape 4.5 or higher.

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2. How can I print specific schedules or sheets when viewing Excel Workbooks in Internet Explorer?

By default, Internet Explorer Internet Explorer is configured to host documents for Office programs. When you click an HTML link to a Microsoft Office file (such as a Microsoft Word or Excel document), Internet Explorer may open the file in Internet Explorer, instead of opening the file in the appropriate Office program. It is recommended that you save the file to disk to open the file in the appropriate Office Program.

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3. If an OSD administrator makes user profile changes, will the system require the CPA and/or contractor to change the password?

No, each time an OSD administrator makes changes to a user profile, the original password is maintained.

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4. When a contractor assigns a CPA to a filing period, is the assignment specific to a fiscal year?

Yes. Please refer to the Contractor user guide for more information.

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5. May a CPA access UFR filings that are not assigned to it during the active UFR filing period?

No. For example, a contractor assigned CPA Smith to file its UFR in fiscal year 2001. CPA Smith will not be able to access the contractor’s fiscal year 2002 UFR unless the contractor has assigned CPA Smith as it's auditor for it's fiscal year 2002 UFR.

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6. Must Schedule D-1 Performance and Output Measures be fully completed prior to filing a UFR?

Yes, in order to file a complete UFR or an Alternate Report, a Contractor (or its assigned CPA) must file D-1 Performance and Output Measures.

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7. May a contractor or CPA make changes to the UFR template after it has been uploaded to the efile system?

No. Changes to the template must be made prior to submission by the user offline and then uploaded to the UFR eFile system. The previous UFR must be deleted from the filing before another can be uploaded.

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8. Once a filing has been initiated, can it be saved and uploaded to OSD at a later time?

Yes, however the filing may only remain in the staging area for 24 hours prior to being submitted via upload to OSD. After 24 hours have passed the UFR filings will be automatically deleted from the staging area. Please refer to the User Guide for Contractors or the User Guide for CPAs for more information.

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9. Who changes the contractor’s UFR filing status?

Only OSD auditors change the status of a UFR filing.

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10. How long does it take to get the request for a user profile approved once the request has been submitted to OSD?

Profile request approvals will start in the spring/summer of 2002, as soon as training has been completed (approvals are only required once). OSD anticipates the initial requests for profile approval will take longer to complete in the first year of UFR eFiling. Given the volume of requests that OSD anticipates receiving , OSD is asking UFR filers to be patient.

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11. Once passwords have been changed by CPAs and/or contractors, can multiple users within the CPA’s or contractor’s firm receive confirmation e-mails notifying them of the change?

The UFR eFiling system will only maintain a single email address for each firm’s user profile. But if your local e-mail server, such as Microsoft Exchange, has an automatic re-direct function for its e-mail users, then your firm can have notifications sent by the UFR eFiling system automatically forwarded to the appropriate individuals.

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12. Are the UFR eFile passwords case sensitive (upper or lower case)?

No.

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13. Must a CPA (or CPA firm) have its profile approved by OSD before a contractor can assign it to a particular filing period?

Yes. Please refer to the User Guide for CPAs for more information.

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14. Can multiple UFR files be uploaded at one time?

No. Only one file may be uploaded at a time. However, one file may contain many types of documents. For example, one Microsoft Word file may contain multiple documents.

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15. How can a CPA “sign” its reports since signatures are required on independent auditor’s reports?

A CPA (or CPA firm) can scan documents containing a signature for reports that require a signature. OSD recommends scanning documents in TIF format to limit the size of the file and to speed upload. Documents containing signatures may also be created as Acrobat PDF files. Please note that hard copies of all UFR documents (including those with actual signatures) should be maintained by the contractor and/or its assigned CPA.

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16. Can a contractor delete files that have been uploaded by its CPA?

No. Any files submitted by a CPA on behalf of a Contractor may only be deleted by the CPA prior to submission to OSD. On the other hand, files submitted by the Contractor may be deleted by the Contractor or its assigned CPA prior to submission of the filing to OSD.

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17. Can a contractor file the entire UFR and/or piecemeal resubmissions?

Yes. Please note that individual contractual agreements between contractors and their CPAs will not be enforced by the UFR eFiling system. The eFiling system will allow either the contractor or its CPA submit a filing to OSD. Please refer to the User Guide for CPAs and/or the User Guide for Contractors for more information.

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