FAMIS and Canopy Resources

FAMIS is the electronic accounting system used by the Texas A&M University System. FAMIS Services at the System Headquarters maintains the software; however, they do not provide support for all FAMIS users. Instead, each TAMU system part has its own security and training support. The Division of Finance's Financial Management Services Department at Texas A&M University – College Station provides support for over 1,200 FAMIS users at the following TAMU System parts:

  • Texas A&M University – College Station (Part 02)
  • Texas A&M University – Galveston (Part 10)
  • Texas A&M University – System (Part 01)

If you work for any of the TAMU System parts listed above, contact TAMU FAMIS Security at (979) 458-5555 for instructions if you need access to FAMIS.

If you are employed by any other campus, you will need to contact the Security Administrator for your campus.

Training Support Only:

The following modules are available in FAMIS. A module is simply a set of related screens.

  • Financial Record System (FRS)
  • Fixed Assets (FFX)
  • Sponsored Research (SPR)
  • Annual Financial Reporting (AFR)

Financial Record System (FRS)

The most commonly used module is the Financial Record System (FRS). Within FRS are the following modules:

Financial Accounting Module
Departmental and/or Financial Management Operations staff may enter and view budgets, revenues, expenses, and journal entries. FAMIS makes it easy to inquire on account balances, monthly statements, and all transactions that have been posted to a department's account number.
Accounts Payable Module
FAMIS includes payment inquiry screens which allow you to tell vendors the status of payments for items that your department has purchased.
Accounts Receivable Module
Use this module if the department either charges or pays entities that are not part of Texas A&M University. These screens offer inquiry for transactions relating to billing and payment for goods or services rendered. For example, the Copy Center uses the accounts receivable screens to view charges for printing and copying for other System parts (i.e. Texas Agricultural Experiment Station).
Purchasing Module
The purchasing module allows departments to electronically create purchasing documents and to electronically route them to the appropriate people for approval. There are numerous purchasing inquiry screens to help you track the status of your purchases from the initial order and receipt, all the way to the payment.
Payroll Module
The payroll inquiry screens show information relating to payroll expense distribution. Many colleges limit payroll inquiry access.
Budget Preparation Module
Departments and Financial Management Operations utilize budget entry and inquiry screens to prepare the annual budget that TAMU submits to the board of regents.

Fixed Asset Module – FFX

The Fixed Asset (FFX) module meets all inventory needs. This module is especially handy for property managers who need to research inventory information.

Sponsored Research - SPR

The Sponsored Research (SPR) module meets grant and proposal needs. Only Contract Administration and Financial Management Operations receive access to SPR.

Annual Financial Reporting - AFR

The Annual Financial Reporting (AFR) module meets state reporting needs. Only Financial Management Services receives access to AFR.

CANOPY is the web based portal of FAMIS. It takes the data in FAMIS and presents it in a clear, familiar Windows based format. Many of the same inquiry features available in FAMIS are also available in CANOPY.

EPA – Employee Personnel Action module is only available in CANOPY. This module allows departments to process hiring, transfer, promotion and personnel changes. EPA serves as a bridge between the Payroll system and the accounting system allowing payroll processing for the TAMU system.

FRS Inquiry and FFX Inquiry are also available in Canopy.

Perhaps the most popular module in CANOPY is the document routing module. CANOPY takes approximate 5 screens of data and allows department approvers or signers easy access to review and approve payment documents from anywhere in the world. Additionally, canopy provides users with an e-mail notification system for your document inbox. Canopy will automatically e-mail you when documents arrive at your inbox for your information, review or approval.

  1. Have your Departmental Contact Person complete the UAR - User Access Request and send it to FAMIS Security at mail stop 6000. You may or may not be assigned a mentor.
  2. If you will enter, approve or sign purchase documents, have your FAMIS Office Manager add you to your department's routing path.
  3. Once FAMIS Security receives the form, they will establish your access and contact you with your user identification number and password.
  4. You will be required to take the Introduction to FAMIS course (web-based or instructor-led) by a deadline set by FAMIS Security.
  5. Once you complete the Introduction to FAMIS course, FAMIS Security will contact you. To avoid losing any entry access, you must attend your required training by a deadline set by FAMIS Security.

Training Deadline

The training that you will be required to attend is determined by what you request on your UAR - User Access Request. If you have a mentor, then you will receive a deadline (normally two months) to complete all training before FAMIS Security will deny any entry access.

After you complete the Introduction to FAMIS course, FAMIS Security will contact you. At that time, they will advise you of your required training and give you a deadline.

Title Description Revision Date
FAMIS Help Summary Includes contact numbers, key strokes, and on-line help features. 11/2000
On-line Help in FAMIS This explains how to use the PF2, ? and * help in FAMIS. 11/2000
Logging On and Quick Reference Steps to logging on and off. For a step by step illustration with pictures see the FAMIS Services' Website. 11/2000
Title Description Revision Date
FRS-Financial Record System A complete numerical screen list for FRS (Financial Record System) with titles and descriptions. 10/2004
FFX-Fixed Assets A complete numerical screen list for (FFX) Fixed Assets with titles and descriptions. 10/2004
AFR-Annual Financial Reporting A complete numerical screen list for AFR: Annual Financial Reporting Module. 10/2004
SPR-Sponsored Research A complete numerical screen list for SPR: Sponsored Research Module. 10/2004
Departmental Screen Card This screen card lists by topic for FRS and FFX. It must be printed using 8.5" by 14" paper. 5/2007

Password and Access Sharing

Password or access sharing is prohibited, no matter what the circumstance (training included). It is against the law. (Texas Penal Code, Chapter 33, Title 7)

Sharing your access or password is like giving away your signature. In any instance where access or password sharing occurs, FAMIS Security will take immediate disciplinary action. If you let someone use your access, but you do not tell them your password, then you are still violating security. FAMIS records any changes made using your access under your UserID, so it is very easy for anyone to locate FAMIS entries tied to you for which you will be held responsible.

Texas A&M University Procedure for FAMIS Security Breaches

TAMU Procedure for FAMIS Security Breaches

FAMIS Statement of Responsibility

FAMIS Statement of Responsibility