Business Affairs

The Office of Business Affairs is responsible for the fiscal integrity of St. John’s. The reporting units of the Office include:

  • General Accounting and Financial Reporting
  • Accounts Payable
  • Purchasing
  • Budgeting
  • Post-Award Grants Administration
  • Risk Management
  • Financial Analysis

The Office is committed to the highest standards of integrity while working in conjunction with students, faculty, and management to support the mission and vision of the University.

Employee Travel

St. John's University continues to develop relationships with businesses to bring new convenient and cost effective programs to all of our employees.

St. John’s along with other members of the Lower Hudson Valley Catholic College and University Consortium enhances its relationship with Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental for discount vehicle rentals for both business and personal rentals now under the same program. 

All Renters must be affiliated (e.g., employee, student, alumni, etc.) with the University over the age of 21 are eligible to participate in this program. We encourage you to become familiar with the policies, procedures and requirements outlined on the attached pages before renting a vehicle.

Highlights of the program include:

  • Discount daily, weekly and monthly rental rates for both business and personal vehicle rentals at over 7,500 Enterprise and National locations throughout the United States.
     
  • Rates for Business and personal rentals include unlimited mileage for compact through full-size car class rentals.
     
  • One-way rentals are now also available through National as well as Enterprise and include un-limited mileage for compact through full size car class rentals (Call 1-800-Rent-A-Car for further details.)
     
  • There will be a 5% discount off Enterprise and National’s published rates for personal automobile rentals anywhere in the United States.
     
  • A wide selection of vehicle car classes to choose from.
     
  • Free pick-up or delivery service at either your home or office if renting a car via Enterprise. (This service is not available through National.)  
     
  • 24-hour roadside assistance.
     
  • Emerald Club member benefits are now available through both Enterprise and National. Member benefits include: guaranteed free-upgrades, opportunities to earn free rental days, and more. Learn more about The Emerald Club...

I am sure that you will continue to find this discount program to be extremely convenient and cost effective. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact St. John’s University’s Enterprise/National Representative, Jeffrey C. Sommer at 914-589-0682 ([email protected]) or contact James Abbatello, Assistant Controller at 718-990-8028.

1 The Lower Hudson Valley Catholic College and University Consortium (LHVCCUC) is comprised of ten (10) Catholic Colleges and Universities who are leveraging their joint buying power to achieve efficiencies and cost savings.

The Business Affairs Office maintains the University’s required documentation and exemption certificates for the state sales tax exemptions in the states listed below for goods and services purchased for valid University business expenses.

Certain lodging and meal expenses incurred while traveling on University business may be exempt from state sales tax in some states. (Please be advised that in many states and/or cities, the University is not exempt from hotel/motel room occupancy taxes even though the University may be exempt from sales taxes in that state.) Please print, keep on hand and use these certificates when traveling on University business.

Employee misuse of these certificates may result in severe disciplinary action up to and including termination.

State Tax Exemption Certificates

  • Connecticut (PDF) - a form needs to be completed for each vendor, CT-112 (for one time vendors) and CT-123 (for recurring vendors). The first part of the form would be completed by your department, then returned to Business Affairs for signature. Then the form would have to be sent to CT for approval. Each exemption request must be approved by the CT exemption office.
  • Florida (PDF)
  • Florida (updated) (PDF)
  • Idaho (PDF)
  • Illinois (PDF)
  • Indiana (PDF)
  • Massachusetts (PDF)– To obtain the exemption, the purchaser must provide the vendor with a signed copy of a Sales Tax Exempt Purchase Certificate (Form ST-5) and a copy of the organizations Certificate of Exemption (Form ST-2) along with the letter of renewal (both forms must be used in combination to get the exemption.)
  • New Jersey (PDF)
  • New York (PDF)
  • Pennsylvania  (PDF) (the PA exemption does not apply to hotel occupancy tax)
  • Rhode Island (PDF)
  • Texas  (PDF) (the Texas exemption does not apply to hotel occupancy tax)
  • Virginia (PDF) 
  • Wisconsin (PDF)

For question or comments, please contact James Abbatello 718-990-8028 or by email

Employee Resources

First Responder Wireless Communication Agreement (PDF)

Justification for a Sole Source Purchase (PDF)

Operations Sector Contract Signature Request Memo (Word)

P-Card Agreement (Word)

P-Card Application (Word)

P-Card Change/Cancellation Form (Word)

Purchase Order Terms and Conditions (PDF)

Purchase Requisition Form (PDF)

Request for Quotation Form (PDF)

Summary Bid Form (PDF)

Vendor Request Form (Word)

W-9 (PDF) – Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certificate Form

W-8BEN (PDF) – Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting Form

W-8BEN-E (PDF) – Certificate of Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting (Entities)

Wireless Communication Stipend Agreement (PDF)