Article Intended For
All University faculty, staff, researchers with permission to use and/or access Penn State Research Information Systems.
Introduction
SIMSbudgets calculation helpers allow users to quickly view the calculation breakdown based on interval, budget summary by period and calculate line items using other category rules. This article goes over the Line Item Calculation Helper in SIMSbudgets.
Article Body
Calculation Helper Details
To access Calculation Helpers select the 
icon found on each line item screen.
Calculation Details
Found on all line items breaks down the line item calculation by period interval showing Direct, Fringe, F&A, Total and other details used in the line item calculation. Note that "Period" is represented as "P" to the left of the calculation values and that the calculations are based on the current fiscal year. This means that academic intervals are represented within the fiscal year of the period. For example: The fall academic interval is represented as "Fall 2012" because it falls within fiscal year 2012.
Note that amounts always round to the nearest dollar. Fringe and F&A explorer totals are calculated from the individual interval values and not the Total Direct Cost value which can sometimes result in rounding errors.
Budget Summary
Found on all line items breaks down the total budget by period showing Direct, Fringe, Total Direct, F&A and Total Requested.
This helper can be used when trying to hit period or total budget values.
Cat I Calculation
Found on Cat III and Cat IV line items and allows the calculation and transfer of a Cat I line item.
Cat I Salary and Person Month Calendar values are used when populating RR Budget, Section B, Other Personnel form through the Cayuse 424 budget import.
Cat II Calculation
Found on Cat III and Cat IV line items and allows the calculation and transfer of a Cat II stipend line item. Note that this is a calculated field and the copied stipend value will change on a budget recalculation or period change. This is different from a Cat II line item where the stipend value is retrieved from the Graduate Assistant and Postdoctoral Fellowship Rates. A "Grade 0" option is also available which allows for the manual input of "Stipend".
Cat II Stipend and Person Month Academic/Summer values are used when populating RR Budget, Section B, Other Personnel form through the Cayuse 424 budget import.