The purpose of this research was to explore the factors that contribute to a chief financial officer's (CFO) success and demise within a higher education setting. Relatively little attention has been given to the study of leadership in educational institutions (Vroom, 1983). Leadership defines what the future should look like, aligns people with…

The National Association of College and University Business Officers' (NACUBO's) "Guide to Unitizing Investment Pools" addresses the principles and concepts for administering a consolidated investment pool. Unitization is the mechanism by which investment funds are pooled to maximize investment efficiencies and provide information for donors,…

State fiscal support for public higher education is declining, particularly during recessionary periods. Public colleges and universities have limited channels of revenue and depend on state appropriations for current operating needs. There is an imperative now for public institutions to do more with less, be more efficient and effective in order…

While it would be naive to think that every CIO can achieve a rapport with his CFO, understanding the importance of a solid relationship with the head of finance is critical to success, both for the IT department and the institution as a whole. Never has this been truer than in today's bleak economy, as CFOs become increasingly cautious about…

How can CIOs and IT leaders prepare themselves for the challenge and opportunity of a more central role in strategic decision-making? First, they must make sure they understand the needs and expectations of other campus leaders. For example, they need to closely align with the vision of their presidents, and they need to ally with chief financial…

Asian Americans have had significant impacts on and within mainstream US society, and their great efforts and gifts in the name of charitable causes are no exception. This study aims to examine perceptions within American university development offices about Asian American giving to US higher education. The article begins with a literature review…

This report presents an analysis of the diversity of income streams in UK higher education institutions (HEIs) at a time when the sector is facing considerable uncertainty. The research was conducted over a six-week period from March to April 2010 and, as such, it predated the establishment of the new Coalition Government in the UK. In the period…

This handy desk reference will help readers and their institutions develop and maintain a professional environment that will maximize efficiencies and provide the necessary skills to properly manage operations and portfolios while ensuring that students receive fair and equitable service and opportunities. Written for business officers, financial…

With outsourcing, colleges can focus on their primary mission rather than on managing an auxiliary service that may compete with private sector alternatives. Discusses when an institution should outsource; what businesses can bring to educational communities; the role of business officers in outsourcing; how to ensure successful outsourcing; why…

An examination of financial management in higher education institutions covers the management process and related activities, organizational structure and assignment of responsibilities, interrelationships of financial management decisions and other areas of the institution, and the use and coordination of financial plans within the institution.…

This guide provides information for schools considering whether to participate in the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, and it offers advice on how to plan for and operate the loan program at an individual school. The information in the guide is presented in a way that follows the steps that need to be taken in planning and implementing the…

This guide was prepared for public institution business officers as a supplement to the "Guide to Implementation of GASB Statement 54 on Basic Financial Statements--and Management's Discussion and Analysis--for State and Local Governments, published in April 2000 by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) on GASB Statements 34 and 35.…

A recent report of the National Association of College and University Business Officers finds that colleges must contain athletic budgets. However, this will require more accurate financial data than current accounting practices provide. Recommended reforms include more careful record keeping, more need-based aid instead of scholarships, and…

An effective college or university budget process is dependent on the culture of the institution. Different processes and budget types are appropriate to different institutions. Understanding the interrelationships of budgeting, planning, and financial modeling can help make the budget more predictable and relevant to the college's values and…

Rapid advances in information technology have rendered conventional approaches to planning and budgeting useless, and no single method is universally appropriate. The most successful planning efforts are consistent with the institution's overall plan, and may combine conventional, opportunistic, and entrepreneurial approaches. Chief financial…