Chart of Accounts General Overview

WBS elements are 7-digit numbers. A sponsored project WBS element is identified by the first three digits of the 7-digit number. It will always begin with a three – meaning restricted - and thus is referred to as a 3XX account. The second digit identifies the sponsor, and the third identifies the type of activity funded, e.g. research, fellowship, conference. The last four digits comprise a unique identifier for the account.  It will look something like this: 3339999 and translates to 3 for restricted fund, 3 for National Science Foundation, 3 for research.

Parents and Children
If it is necessary to account separately for different components of a single project, parent/children WBS elements may be established as needed. For example, if subawards are included in a project, ORS will request a different WBS element for each of the subcontracts so that the principal investigator and department grant manager can more easily track expenditures.

For a detailed explanation of Cost Objects, and 3XX WBS elements in particular, click on the link to the Chart of Accounts above.