5 Hidden Requirements in the APUC Finance Systems Framework — And How to Tackle Them
The APUC Finance Systems Framework is precise. It goes beyond basic expectations to set a high bar across areas such as automation, security, and sector-wide integration.
At FinanSys, we understand the sector’s operational pressures.
Our solutions— built around Infor SunSystems and the UniFi platform — are tailored to meet, and in many cases exceed, the framework’s core and advanced specifications.
Below are five critical requirements from the APUC specification that may get overlooked— and how we address them.
1. Seamless Multi-Entity Consolidation
Many suppliers offer multi-entity accounting and many frameworks ask for this — but APUC wants more: automated roll-ups, real-time hierarchies, and the ability to operate across multiple chart-of-account levels.
FinanSys provides this and more.
SunSystems from FinanSys enables multi-entity management through a single unified ledger. With user-definable coding structures and multiple concurrent hierarchies, institutions can manage subsidiaries, affiliated campuses, and funding streams without manual reconciliation.
UniFi supports this by feeding real-time, consolidated insights across these hierarchies — removing the typical bottlenecks in group reporting.
2. Real-Time Staff Access and Role-Based Controls
APUC demands secure, real-time access for budget holders across institutions — with layered permissions tied to job roles and responsibilities.
Staff across campuses need live access to budgets, forecasts and reporting — without risk to data security or approval integrity.
FinanSys delivers this via both SunSystems and UniFi. Our configurable roles, audit trails, and self-service dashboards meet these exact needs
Departmental staff can log in to intuitive, self-service dashboards to track budgets, commitments, and spend — without compromising sensitive data. Approval workflows, audit trails, and user ID tagging maintain separation of duties and governance integrity throughout.
3. e-Invoicing and VAT Compliance, by Design
The APUC specification explicitly requires compliance with both the EU e-Invoicing Directive (2014/55/EU) and HMRC’s Making Tax Digital regulations.
FinanSys was the first to offer an HMRC-recognised Making Tax Digital VAT solution for SunSystems.
Our e-invoicing solutions handle XML-formatted submissions and full three-way matching for invoice control.
All VAT categories — including partial exemptions — are built into our reporting suite, meeting APUC’s audit and reporting needs from day one.
4. Research Grant Management Integration
The APUC framework outlines a demand for granular grant tracking, from application to post-award, with full forecasting and segmented reporting capabilities.
This is where our flexible project accounting and fund-tracking features are ideal for grant-heavy institutions.
Research teams can assign spend, track milestones, and view funding shortfalls in real time. Adjustments for extensions or top-ups are reflected immediately, and audit logs ensure traceability for compliance and funding body reviews.
5. Supplier and Purchasing Integration Expectations
The framework treats integration with eProcurement platforms such as PECOS and Parabilis not as a feature, but as a baseline. Systems must support established sector tools and workflows.
Our team has integrated SunSystems and UniFi with multiple tools and understand the nuances of P2P processes.
Whether using PECOS for requisitioning or managing contracts through Parabilis, we bring two-way integration, automated commitment updates, and support for sector-specific workflows.
This includes spend categorisation, supplier flagging, and automated payment scheduling based on institutional terms.
Conculsion
FinanSys has been delivering financial transformation for over 25 years.
We hold the highest global volume of SunSystems Cloud deployments, offer UniFi at no extra cost, and maintain a 94% renewal rate.
Our project teams are sector-aware and our systems are already proven across multi-entity, compliance-heavy institutions.
If you are assessing suppliers for the APUC framework, we would welcome a conversation. Our experience, platform strength, and sector fit position us as a low-risk, high-impact partner. Get in touch with us now to speak with our experts!
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Subject: 5 Hidden APUC Requirements You Can’t Afford to Miss
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Hi [first name],
From multi-entity consolidation to secure real-time access, e-invoicing, and grant tracking, the APUC framework requires more than just core functionality.
At FinanSys, we understand these deeper demands. Through SunSystems and UniFi, we deliver future-ready finance solutions designed for Higher Education.
Our latest blog uncovers five essential APUC requirements many suppliers might miss — and shows how our systems are already built to meet them.
Explore how to reduce risk, and deliver more value with the right supplier: 5 Hidden Requirements in the APUC Finance Systems Framework