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Course Descriptions

Build your knowledge, skills, and professional network through NACUBO professional development. Designed specifically for business officers in higher education, programs balance experience and expertise with practical application to increase your organizational, personal, and technical competencies. Whether you're a senior leader or starting your career in higher education, find current, innovative sessions at NACUBO's workshops, forums, and conferences throughout the country. You'll discover unparalleled educational opportunities to learn the business of higher education.

Each year NACUBO offers a variety of programs at the basic, intermediate and advanced levers for higher education business professionals. Following are short descriptions of professional development programs in the NACUBO curriculum.

Baldrige Goes to College: Organizational Assessment, Performance Measurement, and Action Planning

Learn to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of your administrative, student affairs, service, or academic organization through self-assessment, performance measurement, and strategic action planning. Featuring the revised Excellence in Higher Education (EHE) model, which integrates the Malcolm Baldrige framework with the standards and language of regional accrediting associations, this highly interactive workshop provides step-by-step training through presentations, discussions, and a custom-designed case study. Included in the program is a detailed discussion of how the EHE framework can be used to address issues of accountability, transparency, assessment, and efficiency.

The CAO/CFO Collaboration: Working Effectively in Difficult Economic Times

At no time in the recent history of higher education has the relationship between the chief academic officer (CAO) and the chief financial officer (CFO) mattered more. A successful response to the economic crisis is dependent upon a common understanding of the situation and mutually agreed upon goals and strategies. Together, they must seek ways to be financially prudent while taking advantage of the opportunities for innovation that present themselves during such challenging times. Innovation requires academic integrity, foresight, and financial means. Academic leaders rely on their financial counterparts to support and fund their efforts, and financial leaders rely on academic officers to advance the core mission of the institution.

These individuals who must work so closely together often come from different backgrounds, have different experiences, and have different understandings of the levers and limits of their jobs. In many ways, they speak different languages. As a result, they often find themselves face-to-face trying to bridge different cultures. To help understand and support this important relationship, ACE and NACUBO brings together CAOs and CFOs for a two-day meeting to address how they can build an effective partnership and to meet the challenges of our current economic environment.

Endowment Management Forum

Learn from industry experts regarding contemporary investment management issues and trends in higher education endowment management. Discuss the latest intricacies of asset allocation and diversification of investments, risk management, and working with investment committees, managers, and consultants. Hear about the dynamic effects of the economy and financial markets on institutional endowments, as well as the impact of regulatory and legislative actions, such as UPMIFA. Speakers include campus experts and financial and investment authorities on the major markets. Findings of the latest NACUBO Endowment Study are also presented and discussed. The forum provides time for discussion, questions, meeting the experts, and networking with colleagues from around the country.

Facilities and Administrative Rates (Long Form)

This program teaches the essentials of developing and allocating facilities and administrative (indirect) costs required by the OMB Circular A-21. The workshop is intended for staff members of institutions who use the long-form methodology. Highlights include an overview of cost accounting standards, tips on reviewing for unallowables, an examination of cost pool development, and a hands-on case study to further explain the procedures. Experienced faculty members discuss strategies and considerations for your calculation, proposal preparation and negotiation. Participants receive a helpful pocket guide to A-21.

The Higher Education Accounting Forum

This event for advanced-level accounting and finance professionals offers the latest information on trends, issues, and best practices in both financial and managerial accounting, reporting and analysis for all types of institutions. The program features plenary speakers as well as smaller sessions to address special topics. Roundtable exchanges-- broken out by private/public or large/small institutions--bring together participants from comparable institutions to share ideas.

This forum serves as both an annual update and future outlook where participants hear and engage in discussions on timely subjects impacting the higher education community. Topics typically include communicating financial results, debt, accounting standards, ethical conflicts, fraud, tax updates, auditing standards, alternative investments, and operating measure guidance.
Don't miss the update from the FASB and the GASB. There are also plenty of chances for networking with colleagues and speakers during breakouts, roundtables, and an opening night reception.

Managerial Analysis and Decision Support

Managerial analysis and decision support methodologies are integral to well-run higher education institutions. This course presents the core knowledge and tools needed to better understand needs, analyze data, and prepare reports for management. Topics such as revenue analysis and modeling, costing theories and techniques, budgeting, developing measures and assessing performance, capital planning, privatization, and debt financing are addressed. Case studies and group discussions add to the personal relevance of the information for accounting and analytical professionals.

Intermediate Accounting and Reporting

This program is a fantastic introduction for new professionals moving into higher education accounting as well as those individuals seeking to learn more about other areas of accounting. The workshop presents accounting and financial reporting in the areas of endowments, investments, gifts, split interest agreements, capital assets, debt, and operating activities.

Attendees receive a thorough explanation of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards relevant to higher education institutions. Cash flow statement sessions are held concurrently, allowing the faculty to focus on the public and independent sectors of higher education. Emphasis is placed on preparing and understanding the financial statements, including hands-on exercises and sample statements for review. The workshop is conducted by a university president, a controller, and an accounting professor.

The New Business Officers Program

This program has established itself as a valuable experience for those new to the role of Chief Business Officer, with some 500 alumni in the past decade. Explore a wide range of issues that a chief business officer faces, and examine the complexities of campus leadership in this intensive two-day workshop.

Content areas include leadership styles, planning, board relationships, and emerging issues. You'll be challenged to evaluate your current practices and strategies as well as have a great opportunity to exchange ideas and network with colleagues. Attendance at the New Business Officers Program, by application only, is limited to chief business and financial officers who report directly to the president and who have been in their current positions for less than three years.

Smart and Sustainable Campuses Conference

Colleges and universities have a significant impact on the built and natural environment and are under increasing pressure from governments, students, and community members to carefully mitigate their environmental footprint. This comprehensive symposium features sessions and workshops on smart growth and sustainable practices that serve the economy, the community, and the environment. Topics include institutionalizing sustainability, operational solutions, smart growth and campus planning, and assessment and measurement.

Student Financial Services Conference

Discover solutions for you and your campus at the most comprehensive and well-regarded conference of its kind. NACUBO's Student Financial Services Conference provides a wealth of opportunities to learn from leaders in the field, network with colleagues, and hear about new developments affecting your success. A range of topics covers regulatory and legislative changes, integrated management structures, new technology, billing and collections functions, and leadership. Interact with faculty and colleagues through concurrent sessions, constituent-focused topics and issue-driven discussions. Learn about the latest products and services in the exhibit showcase filled with representatives from over 30 companies focused on all aspects of student financial services.

Tax Forum

This event for intermediate to advanced-level campus tax professionals offers the latest information on issues and best practices in higher education tax compliance and administration.  The program features plenary speakers as well as smaller sessions to address special topics. Roundtable exchanges-- broken out by independent/public or large/small institutions--bring together participants from comparable institutions to share ideas.
This forum serves as both an annual update and future outlook.  Participants hear and engage in discussions on timely subjects impacting the college and university tax community. Past forums have addressed issues such as IRS audits, Form 990 preparation, unrelated business income issues, charitable gifts, reporting and withholding for nonresident aliens, mitigating tax risks of international activities, bonds compliance, executive compensation, treatment of fringe benefits, scholarships and fellowships, and charitable gifts.
Don't miss the update from the IRS. There are also plenty of chances for networking with colleagues and speakers.

Thought Leaders Program

NACUBO's Thought Leaders Program provides a unique opportunity to exchange cutting-edge ideas regarding leadership issues of chief business officers in higher education's changing environment. Senior leaders are connected to nationally-recognized resources who challenge thinking, arm with knowledge, and inspire to action.

As you consider strategic issues facing the industry, you'll define your own role and nurture your individual development for powerful performance on your campus. Learning from your respected peers and building your professional network, actively contribute your ideas, expertise, and experience to lead change in higher education and forge paths for others to follow.

Unrelated Business Income Tax

This workshop serves as both a refresher course on unrelated business income tax matters impacting campuses and an exchange of up-to-date news about actions from the IRS and Congress. Timely issues such as corporate sponsorship, athletics-related topics, dual-use facilities, and unrelated business income generated by investments are discussed. Practical tips to complete the IRS Form 990-T are also covered. By working through comprehensive case studies in small groups, you'll learn how to sharpen skills and issue-spotting techniques.