All private colleges and universities make strategic capital investments and consider the use of debt to fund those investments. From the commonplace purchase of photocopiers to the construction of new academic buildings or dormitories, investment decisions that yield long-term financial benefits must follow on the heels of careful analysis. To…

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…

North Carolina's Professional Certification Program, established in 1986, is an effort to professionalize the status of school finance officer and provide appropriate remuneration. Finance officers are now required to satisfy 7 standards and to renew their certification annually by completing 24 contract hours in position-related minicourses and…

A significant planning component is establishing a budget forecast for the upcoming year and at least the year following. Bringing a projected budgetary profile to the community and school board early on provides opportunities for discussing certain assumptions, initiatives, and goals that may need examination by district administrators. (MLH)

This chapter of "Principles of School Business Management" reviews the functions, procedures, and reports with which school business officials must be familiar in order to interpret and make decisions regarding the school district's financial position. Among the accounting functions discussed are financial management, internal auditing,…

The recommendation to require state certification of chief school business officers (CSBO's) is an attempt to strengthen the public schools' business function, to raise the CSBO's status, and to underscore the relationships between the business and program sides of school district operations. Although the CSBO has traditionally been viewed as the…

Argues that well-management college endowments and reserves can appreciate beyond inflation and serve as a source of increased resources. Looks at the ground rules of investment management in terms of stating investment objectives, investment restrictions, appropriate asset mix, and investment services. (AYC)

Outlines several major areas involved in issuing bonds to finance school buildings and other projects. Basic financing structures include general obligation bonds, lease revenue bonds, and tax anticipation notes. Explains competitive or negotiated sale process and the roles of financial advisor, underwriter, and bond counsel. (MLF)

A 1997 survey asked 449 school business officials to identify the most essential skills for effective performance. SBOs primarily see themselves as managers of fiscal resources and of programs associated with fiscal resources. An additional responsibility is managing programs not instructionally related. Respondents felt the best training they…

School business officials should attend workshops and seminars to help them plan for retirement. When approaching retirement, SBOs should invest for low-risk growth, determine retirement goals, match insurance with needs, and decide when to stop full-time work. Retirees should invest for growth and income, withdraw assets at the right time, and…

To help improve school district financial management, the Association of School Business Officials at its 1980 annual meeting held a special session consisting of 20 "mini-workshops" about successful, field-proven practices in school budgeting, accounting, auditing, and other financial tasks. This document provides summaries of the…

The specific responsibilities of the school business official can be grouped into five major categories: (1) educational; (2) fiscal; (3) employee; (4) support services; and (5) other. (Author)

To help school business administrators keep track of districts' funds and make the right investment decisions, this directory contains descriptions of the financial services provided by over 25 firms. A table provides detailed information on the areas of the country the firms serve and their areas of expertise. (MLF)

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.…

A cash-flow plan allows districts lead time for investing, borrowing, reducing or delaying expenditures, expanding revenue sources, informing the community, and avoiding surprises. Planners should identify type, timing, and amount of revenues and expenditures and then compare revenues and expenditures to determine (and accommodate) shortfalls or…