2023 Higher Education Accounting Forum

1–1:10 pm ET

1:10–2:10 pm ET • 1 CPE credit in Specialized Knowledge

Explore the current state of play in the nation’s capital, especially given mid-term election results. Understand what might be in store for colleges and universities legislatively. Hear what the Department of Education and other relevant agencies might be working on.

Speakers

• Liz Clark, vice president, policy and research, NACUBO
• Ashley Jackson, director, government affairs, NACUBO

2:15–3:15 pm ET • 1 CPE credit in Specialized Knowledge

Hear how NACUBO’s grant to achieve equitable student outcomes is proceeding. Learn a prioritization process that removes barriers with the goal of equitable student outcomes. Frameworks, tools, and a model that is working for over two dozen institutions will be addressed.

Speaker

• Jim Hundrieser, vice president, consulting and business development, NACUBO

3:15–3:45 pm ET

3:45–5 pm ET • 1.5 CPE credits in Specialized Knowledge

Join panelists for a conversation that explores the value of a college degree, societal contributions higher education makes, what tuition pays for, and opportunities and work that must be done to address changing community and student needs.

• Jim Hundrieser, vice president, consulting and business development, NACUBO
• Sue Menditto, senior director, accounting policy, NACUBO
• Lindsay Wayt, senior director, analytics, NACUBO

3:45–5 pm ET • 1.5 CPE credits in Finance

Blockchain and cryptocurrency are mainstream terms. With unfavorable headlines, many are questioning the future of crypto and digital assets. Bring your questions to this session that tees up definitions and descriptions but will encourage and facilitate discussion.

Facilitator

• Ruth Harpool, payment services advisor, CampusGuard

3:45–5 pm ET • 1.5 CPE credits in Personnel/Human Resources

Workforce challenges remain a top business issue in higher education. Hear what your colleagues are experiencing and come prepared to ask questions and contribute to the discussion.

Facilitators

• Lucy Lucker, vice president for finance and administration, chief finance officer, University of Saint Joseph
• Selina Martin, controller, University of California, Los Angeles
• Dawn Robinson, associate vice president for business affairs and controller, Tuskegee University
• Ashley Schofield, associate vice president for fiscal affairs, Claflin University

5–6:15 pm ET

8–9 am ET • 1 CPE credit in Specialized Knowledge

Does higher education learn from past challenges? Colleges and universities have experience with extraordinary cycles. Whether it’s the pandemic, economic recession, evolving technology, workforce transformation, heightened federal regulations, natural disasters, demographic shifts, or inflation—do we adapt and plan accordingly? Hear evidence of how the sector learns, what some known risks are, how managers and leaders adjust, and possible changes going forward.

Speaker

• Janice Abraham, president and chief executive officer, United Educators

9–9:15 am ET

Awards

• Daniel D. Robinson Award
• NACUBO Service Award

9:30–10:45 am ET • 1.5 CPE credits in Finance

• Joe Irvine, senior lecturer in law, The Ohio State University

9:30–10:45 am ET • 1.5 CPE credits in Finance

Hear a refresher on what a scholarship allowance represents and how Michigan State University transitioned to an actual method for reporting tuition and auxiliary discounts. Presenters will cover audit and financial reporting implications of making such a transition: how financial statements are impacted and communicating resulting change to the Board and executives.

Speakers

• Shea Bryant, financial analysis and reporting manager, Michigan State University
• Katie Thornton, partner, Plante Moran

9:30–10:45 am ET • 1.5 CPE credits in Accounting

This session will provide reporting options and accounting reminders. Panelists will lean into how FASB’s grants recognition and financial reporting presentation standards have triggered process, operational, reporting, and communication changes on campus.

Speakers

• Karen Mahalo, controller, Cornell
• Charlene Sweeney, associate vice president and university controller, Brown
• Rick Cole, partner, FORVIS

11 am–12:15 pm ET • 1.5 CPE credits in Accounting

Hear the latest developments in U.S. GAAP affecting NFPs, including newly effective standards (ASUs) and FASB projects in process. The presentation will focus on areas of interest to colleges and universities and implementation issues brought to FASB’s attention by its Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee.

Speakers

• Jeffrey Gabello, supervising project manager, FASB
• Jeff Mechanick, assistant director—nonpublic entities, FASB

11 am–12:15 pm ET • 1.5 CPE credits in Accounting Governmental

GASB’s higher education liaison and project manager discusses standards that will be implemented soon and active projects such as financial reporting and revenue and expense recognition. Practices issues and more will be addresses.

Speaker

•  Joseph Wicklund, project manager, GASB

12:15–1:15 pm ET

1:30–2:30 pm ET • 1 CPE credit in Specialized Knowledge

In leading the Government Accountability Office, Mr Dodaro is responsible for the long-term fiscal outlook of the U.S. government and significant federal reform initiatives. Mr. Dodaro will address the U.S. economy, the role of higher education, and provide a nod to business officer concerns over resources and serving students.

Speaker

• The Honorable Gene Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States

2:40–3:10 pm ET • CPE credit is not available for demo sessions

Opportunities pass us by every day, hidden amidst change and disruption. How can higher education accounting and finance professionals capitalize on opportunities to uncover and apply new insights, perspectives, and technology to advance their mission? In this session, KPMG Ignition, a specialized team that helps organizations reframe complex problems into future opportunities, will explore use cases that showcase how higher education institutions can rapidly evaluate key opportunities to accelerate finance transformation.

3:30–4:45 pm ET • 1.5 CPE credits in Specialized Knowledge

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is a hot topic for public companies due to impending regulatory reporting requirements and demands from various stakeholders, including investors. But what about higher education? Why is ESG important and should we be prepared? Presenters will discuss the many dimensions of ESG, the types of stakeholders with interest, why ESG policies and strategies should be examined holistically, and possible reporting benefits for higher education.

Speakers

• Renee Bourget-Place, office managing partner, KPMG
• Corinne Dougherty, partner, KPMG
• David Gagnon, partner, audit, KPMG
• Marysa Santos, managing director, KPMG

3:30–4:45 pm ET • 1.5 CPE credits in Taxes

Learn tax developments that impact higher education, including legislative and IRS enforcement measures. Panelists will review a myriad of fundamental topics such as unrelated business taxable income (UBTI), compensation, benefits, endowments, charitable contributions, and reporting requirements.

Speakers

• Jodi Kessler, director, tax and global operations, Massachusetts Institution of Technology
• Joel Levenson, assistant vice president for tax, payables and procurement, University of Central Florida

8–9 am ET • 1 CPE credit in Finance

AICPA Government Audit Quality Control members discuss the process for vetting and incorporating new compliance requests from federal agencies and what to expect in 2023. A review of future pipeline topics and concerns will also be addressed.

Speakers

• Chris Dutch, partner, PwC
• Kim McCormick, partner, Grant Thornton

9:15–10:15 am ET • 1 CPE credit in Accounting Governmental

GASB is always very active, leading to process changes and challenges. Bring your operational and technical questions to this interactive discussion.

Speakers

• Shea Bryant, financial analysis and reporting manager, Michigan State University
• Chris Leach, accounting policy analyst, NACUBO

9:15 am–10:15 am ET • 1 CPE credit in Finance

Legal and accounting reasons for dollarized or unitized pools are discussed. Panels will reveal many pros and cons and delve into campus examples.

Speakers

• Jason Edwards, chief operating officer, ADAVICO
• Mary Wheeler, author, Unitizing Endowment Pools and NACUBO FARM; Consultant, NACUBO Consulting

10:45 am–12 pm ET • 1.5 CPE credits in Finance

Leveraging the power of scenario analysis tools for risk management is essential when planning for alternative future outcomes. For scenario analysis to be effective, leadership must have a strong understanding of the drivers for their organization—and how changes to these drivers can impact the bottom line. Panelists will highlight how a small private university is running multiple scenarios to assist with planning for a volatile future.

Speakers

• Michael Oertel, director of financial planning and analysis, Mount Saint Mary's University
• Melissa Harrell Frey, senior solutions marketing manager, Prophix Software

10:45 am–12 pm ET • 1.5 CPE credits in Finance

Panelists cover a broad range of important and relevant topics: unique accounting and reporting challenges, current events and operational challenges, including the most recent news headlines impacting the sector (enrollment challenges, school collaborations, closings/mergers, inflation, etc.).

Speakers

• Sharon Heinle, associate vice president and controller, George Mason University
• Drew Paluf, associate vice president and controller, University of Notre Dame
• Cheryl Soper, assistant vice president for financial operations and controller, University of Michigan
• Pete Ugo, partner, Crowe