Frequently Asked Questions

How do I log in? 

A user with an active PennKey account can navigate to the CAMS application via this URL: https://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/cams 

How do I see the account(s) I have access to?

    1. Navigate to your CAMS Dashboard.
    2. Review your list of Accounts under each colorful card at the top of your page. 
    • Accounts with Active Access
    • Accounts Owned 

How do I request access to an account? 

Users with an active PennKey can request access to spend on account for themselves and/or others within CAMS by clicking “Request Access.” Within Request Access, you will be asked to complete a three-step process.

    1. Enter the Spender
    2. Enter the Account
    3. Enter the Core(s) and click “Request “Access”
    • Please refer to your department’s Business Administrator for assistance in requesting access. 

How do I identify a specific account's Senior BA and/or Org Manager?

A user with an active PennKey can look up the Org Manager(s) and Senior BA(s) for a Penn Account within CAMS under “Roles” and “By Account.” Once in CAMS,

    1. Select “Roles” from the left-side menu.
    2. Select “$ By Account” and enter the account.
    • Please refer to your department’s Business Administrator for additional assistance. 

How do I identify my Senior BA and/or Org manager?  

A user with an active PennKey can look up the Org Manager(s) and Senior BA(s) for a Penn Org Code or Core Name within CAMS under “Roles” and “By Org” or “By Core.” Once in CAMS,

    1. Select “Roles” from the left-side menu
    2. Select “By Org” or “By Core” and enter the corresponding value.

Who can become a Senior BA, and how?

  • Perelman School of Medicine - Finance approves and can grant new Senior BA CAMS access. Email link 
  • School of Veterinary Medicine - Kelly Bierling approves and can request new Senior BA CAMS access. Email link 
  • All other Schools - please reference the latest published Access Administrators list.

What types of accounts are managed through CAMS?

Grant and Non-Grant accounts reported in BEN Financials can be managed through CAMS.

How do I grant access to an account in CAMS?

Users with an active PennKey can request access to spend on account for themselves and/or others within CAMS under “Request Access.” An approval email is then sent to all CAMS users with account access approval rights. 

How do Non-Penn funds work in CAMS, including CHOP-owned accounts?

Anyone with a Core Admin role can manage purchase orders (external accounts). External accounts are managed within CAMS independently from BEN Financials to assist Cores facilities with Non-Penn users.

Can external PIs, including PIs working with CHOP, use Penn funds through CAMS?

Only PIs that have a PennKey, can be granted spender access.

Why is a particular transaction on “Hold” in CAMS, and what does that mean?

The "Hold" status means that the Core is not yet ready to bill the transaction. Details of the transaction may need to be changed or deleted before it is billed. Transactions in a "Hold" status do count towards a Core's spending limit, if one is set.

How does reporting in CAMS work?  What sort of uses do these reports have?

CAMS allows users to search for and review transaction details under "Billing." For additional details, please navigate to our content under “Charges.” 

Can I extend the expiration date of a fund in CAMS, and what is the procedure for doing so?

  • Grant Accounts – Account details, including the expiration date, are managed through PennERA. Changes in PennERA will automatically reflect within 48 hours in CAMS.
  • Non-Grant Accounts  - Account details, including the expiration date, are managed directly in CAMS.

Why is a user not appearing in CAMS?

Are you a student, or is your Penn ID inactive?

  • Students - Students should request initial access through the CAMS feedback link.
  • Penn ID – An active Penn ID is required. A user may have an inactive Penn ID or missing an active Penn Community affiliation. For additional assistance, please utilize PennKey support. 

How can I check the budget code that was charged in CAMS?

  1. You can confirm which account was used by looking up a transaction within "Billing" and then "Penn Charges."  
  2. With a confirmed account number, you will then look up the full 26 digits, including the budget code, within "Manage Accounts" and then "Search Grant Accounts." 
    • Search for your account, and once located, click "View Account" at the end of the row.
    • You should then spot the full account number, including the budget code, in the center-left of the page, to the right of "Account Number." 

Why does a particular user have more than one CAMS profile?

Users with more than one email address linked to their Penn Profile could have multiple CAMS profiles.  Your CAMS access is typically linked to your primary email address, as indicated in the PennDirectory. Should you need further assistance, please use locate your department's IT contact information.

I granted access to an account in CAMS. Why does it not appear where I need it to?

Your CAMS access status is available on your dashboard under the Manager, Spender, or Account tabs. Please select the corresponding tab and review your Pending Access Requests to confirm that approvals have been granted. If approved access to spend on a CAMS account does not appear in a Core application but is in CAMS, please contact the support team/individual for that Core application. 

I am a Senior BA who has never used CAMS – where do I get started?

  1. Ensure you have CAMS Access.
  2. Check your Managed Org list for accuracy, viewed on the right-hand side of your CAMS Manager Dashboard.
  3. Review the list of your accounts that expired in the next 31 days.