1. Where can I find the tax credit information?
2. Can I get to an agency’s website from OpenBooks?
3. Are there plans to expand this website in the future?
4. What information is included in the payroll data that is provided?
5. What information can I find on this website?
6. What is the source of the data found on this website?
7. What financial information is not available from this website?
8. How do I search for payroll records by employee name?
9. When reviewing expenditure information, what is included in the ‘Personal Services’ category?
10. What type of information is included when viewing Travel expenditures?
11. Why is there ‘Funding’ data for the State of Oklahoma (000) but no ‘Expenditure’ data?
1. Where can I find the tax credit information?
The OpenBooks website provides two links to tax credit information. Both are found by selecting the ‘Links’ hyperlink on the left-hand side of the Homepage.
From the ‘Links’ page, under the Oklahoma Tax Commission hyperlink there are two tax credit reports:
Tax Expenditure Report: This report includes the Oklahoma Tax Commission’s best estimate of the amount of state revenue that would have been collected but for the existence of each exclusion, deduction, credit, exemption, deferral, or other preferential tax treatment allowed by law for the previous fiscal year. This report does not provide details by company.
Quality Jobs Incentive Payment Report: This report lists entities that have received tax credits for the Quality Jobs Incentive program during the prior fiscal year.
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2. Can I get to an agency’s website from OpenBooks?
Yes. When using the ‘Search’ functionality, select the desired agency from the dropdown list and press the ‘Go’ button. The information for the requested agency will be displayed at the bottom of the screen. The ‘Information’ tab contains basic information about the agency including the agency name and their main address. Click on the agency name and you will be transferred to the agency’s website. To return to the OpenBooks website you will need to use the ‘Back’ button on your Browser.
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3. Are there plans to expand this website in the future?
Yes. We will add fiscal year 2008 financial data as it becomes available. It is also planned that we will expand the website to include expenditure information by vendor. For example, how much did we pay vendor XYZ?
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4. What information is included in the payroll data that is provided?
The payroll data represents the amount paid to an employee during the reported time period. In addition to regular pay, these amounts may include overtime, longevity, shift differential or termination pay. This amount does not include any state share costs associated with the payroll i.e. FICA, state share retirement, benefit allowance, etc. This amount may vary from an employee’s ‘salary’ due to pay adjustments or pay period timing. The information displayed will be for the current fiscal year and will be updated each month.
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5. What information can I find on this website?
Currently the website contains funding and expenditure information for each state agency as well as some salary information. The funding and expenditure information contains the two prior fiscal years and the current fiscal year year-to-date information. The payroll information is for the current fiscal year.
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6. What is the source of the data found on this website?
The funding, expenditure and payroll information on this website is based on transactions recorded by state entities (agencies, boards, commissions and higher education institutions) through the Office of State Finance.
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7. What financial information is not available from this website?
Some state agencies are authorized to generate warrants outside of the Office of State Finance from certain funds. In these cases, the agency must report the total amount of the expenditures to the Office of State Finance, but are not required to report the detailed payment information. When reviewing transactional data on this website, (i.e. Vendor Payments > $25,000 or ‘Top Ten payees’) the transactional data does not include these payments made outside of the Office of State Finance.
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8. How do I search for payroll records by employee name?
If you know the agency that the employee works for, select the agency name in the ‘Search Finances by State Agency’ drop-down list and then click the ‘Go’ button. The agency information will appear in the Information tab. Select the ‘Payroll’ tab, enter the employee’s last name in the ‘Search by Last Name’ box and then press the ‘Search’ button. The requested information will be displayed.
If you want to perform a statewide search, select the ‘State of Oklahoma (000)’ agency in the ‘Search Finances by State Agency’ drop-down list and then click the ‘Go’ button. The agency information will appear in the Information tab. Select the ‘Payroll’ tab, enter the employee’s last name in the ‘Search by Last Name’ box and then press the ‘Search’ button. The requested information will be displayed.
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9. When reviewing expenditure information, what is included in the ‘Personal Services’ category?
The Personal Services category reflects expenditures for both state employees and professional services (consultants).
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10. What type of information is included when viewing Travel expenditures?
Travel expenditures include travel related costs including transportation, lodging, meals and per-diem. It also includes training costs which may include registration fees or conference fees.
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11. Why is there ‘Funding’ data for the State of Oklahoma (000) but no ‘Expenditure’ data?
The State of Oklahoma (000) agency is used for administrative purposes in processing receipts and holding cash until distributed to disbursing agencies. Money from taxes or fees is deposited to State of Oklahoma (000) agency and then each month the cash is transferred to state agencies as directed by legislation. Disbursements are made by each state agency and not from this administrative agency.
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