2020 Higher Education Accounting Forum

Presenter(s):

Lynn Valenter, Washington State University

Susan Whealler Johnston, NACUBO

Presenter(s):

Roger Goodman, The Yuba Group, LLC

Presenter(s):

Emily Moran, University of Florida

Alan West, University of Florida

Gwynn Cadwallader, University of Florida

Learn how to empower academic leaders in a decentralized environment to safeguard funds, establish structures to enhance fiscal accountability, and create standard practices to prevent fraudulent activity.  Through discussions, polls and a sample activity, you will learn about the challenges and successes of an effective and innovative training program at the University of Florida; and will take away ideas and strategies for collaborating with academic leaders to achieve fiscal accountability at your decentralized institution.

Presenter(s):

Mary LaGrange, University of Nebraska at Lincoln

Lucy Lucker, University of Saint Joseph

John Kroll, University of Chicago

Belva White, Emory University

The role of controller requires a high degree  of technical expertise. Although controllers are managers of people and negotiators who must communicate broadly, it’s easy to get branded as irreplaceable in that role. This notoriety can make it challenging to take the next step toward broader institutional leadership. A panel of ex-controllers shares insights for a successful career journey. Hear transition considerations and skills that are a must for leading with influence across campus.  

Presenter(s):

Sang Han, University of Washington

Megan Schneider, NACUBO

Explore the current state of play in the nation’s capital. Understand the political climate and implications for colleges and universities as lawmakers consider reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. Tax legislation as well as regulatory and other legislative actions will also be covered.

Presenter(s):

John O'Brien, EDUCAUSE

Ethical concerns related to innovations in technology are hardly new. Today, however, the hype around educational technology innovation often masks nuanced, powerful, and sometimes grave ethical entanglements. With weekly headlines about the ethical ramifications of emerging technologies and the appearance of privacy near the very top of the EDUCAUSE Top 10 IT Issues, concerns about digital ethics are likely to intensify. In this plenary session, EDUCAUSE president and CEO John O’Brien will make the case for excitement, caution, and hope in this exceedingly challenging landscape—with higher education potentially leading the way.

Presenter(s):

Matthew Crellin, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

In this session, two senior program officers from the Gates Foundation share insights on the Foundation’s Postsecondary Success initiative, and how they are identifying and supporting innovations that improve the productivity and performance of U.S. colleges and universities. Hear first-hand how their investments are transforming U.S. higher education to become more personalized, flexible, clear, and affordable by collaborating with institutions across the country that are committed to innovation and have the potential to become exemplars for other institutions that share their goals.

Presenter(s):

David Bean, Governmental Accounting Standards Board

Presenter(s):

Jeffrey Mechanick, Financial Accounting Standards Board

Presenter(s):

Kerri Tricarico, New York University

Christopher Rose, Deloitte

The automation spectrum is transforming the finance organization ‐ from macros & scripts executing simple tasks to artificial intelligence mimicking human intelligence.  In this session, you will hear how NYU developed a robotic process automating the grant close‐out process. An overview of the automation spectrum, a description of robotic process automation, criteria for selection of business processes, NYU’s business case for the pilot project, lessons learned, and next steps will be covered.

Presenter(s):

Sue Menditto, NACUBO

Randy Roberson, NACUBO

Not only can rubrics show leaders where their institution is on certain metrics, but they can also provide a roadmap for transformation. NACUBO worked with the Gates Foundation to develop a rubric that tackles how strategic finance can advance student success with a particular focus on equity. The rubric is multidimensional and addresses evolving financial proficiencies along a continuum that focuses on planning, resource allocation, cost analysis, measurement, assessment, reporting, communication, and student outcomes. In this interactive session, presenters will explain the rubric and facilitate discussions about how the tool can be used to achieve business objectives while positively impacting student outcomes.

Presenter(s):

Jim Hundrieser, NACUBO

Experts believe that higher education’s success and sustainability will depend on strategic decisions that change the way institutions operate. Business officers can be essential to helping others within the institution understand where opportunities and challenges exist within the business model.  This session will explore ways that might help institutions shape their business model. The challenges for open and honest “self” assessments and the advantages of a fresh perspective will be discussed. Real world examples of innovative problem solving will be provided. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and share thoughts and experiences.

Presenter(s):

David Gagnon, KPMG LLP

Karen Sodoma, University of Rochester

Charlene Sweeney, Brown University

Presenter(s):

Joel Levenson, University of Central Florida

Tracy Paglia, Moss Adams LLP

Learn what’s new in tax developments that impact higher education, including legislative developments and IRS enforcement measures; and receive important guidance on fundamental topics such as unrelated business taxable income (UBTI), compensation, fringe benefits, the endowment tax, charitable contributions, and reporting requirements.

Presenter(s):

Katie Thornton, Plante Moran

Shea Bryant, Michigan State University

This session will help attendees finalize their preparations for reporting on fiduciary activities by providing a deeper dive into GASB 84 and the practical implications of the new standard.  The session will include a discussion on the financial statement presentation, changes to the University's internal accounting and reporting, and how the University is interpreting the guidance related to its defined contribution plans.

Presenter(s):

Blaine Jasper, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP

Kenneth Brown, Whitworth University

Learn about the changes to the 2019 Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") Compliance Supplement focused on compliance with the Gramm‐Leach‐Bliley Act, dealing with security of student information. Hear first-hand from an industry expert and Institutional partner on ways to prepare for your upcoming audit to avoid common audit deficiencies and findings.

Presenter(s):

Linda Campos, University of Idaho

Laura Humberger, Huron Consulting Group

Presenter(s):

Sue Menditto, NACUBO

Kelli Hudson Perry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Dale Larson, Dallas Theological Seminary

New Department of Education financial responsibility rules accommodate recent FASB accounting changes (defined benefit pension liabilities, leases, and Not-for-Profit reporting) but pose significant new requirements that will impact financial reporting and and require auditor attestation. Panelists who participated in rule negotiations provide background and address options and considerations for meeting new requirements.

Presenter(s):

Rick Cole, BKD CPAs and Advisors

Sara Spicer, University of Michigan

Chris Leach, Texas A&M University - San Antonio

Presenter(s):

Pete Ugo, Crowe LLP

Andrew Paluf, University of Notre Dame

Terri Albertson, Haverford College

Jeffrey Mechanick, Financial Accounting Standards Board

FASB's new Leases standard is here! Effective this year for institutions with public debt and soon after for all other institutions, ASU 2016-02 will significantly change the way that leases are reported in your financial statements.  This session will include an overview of the technical guidance with real-life institutional examples.

Presenter(s):

Luke Figora, Northwestern University

Matt Booth, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

What is integrated risk management and why is it important?  In this session attendees will learn the answer to those questions through one institution’s journey towards an integrated risk management organization.  Takeaways will include key elements of an integrated risk management organization, strategies for effective implementation, and pitfalls to avoid.

Presenter(s):

Pat Caudle, University of Redlands

Abe Nour, Moss Adams LLP

Ryan Dover,

Laura Roos, Moss Adams LLP

Randy Frisch, City University of Seattle

Panelists who have participated in or assisted institutions going through a merger, acquisition partnership or other combination will share their experiences navigating these events.  Topics will include lessons Learned in acquiring another institution, post-merger integration, financial and tax due diligence and the future of mergers and acquisitions in higher education.

Presenter(s):

Jordan Arreola, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

Ann Hittle, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

Kevin Kuhar, PFM Group

In this session attendees will learn the value of a strategic, multi‐year financial model to support a planning process that increases confidence and enables thoughtful decisions.  Speakers will share examples of how they communicated their financial story as well as key strategies and tactics essential to creating (and sustaining) a financial model where all stakeholders have trust and confidence in the results.