Description

This workshop is designed to provide business officers a solid grants management and administration foundation. Understanding key concepts, overarching policy, related methodologies and identifying value-added activities are key to successfully managing sponsored research. In this workshop, you will learn about the governing regulations and compliance requirements for Sponsored Research projects (and how they are applied) at your institution. Additionally, it is critical to understand and differentiate the roles for Central Administration and for Departmental Administration at your institution.  You will learn how to formulate options that are most applicable and coordinate research plans with campus leadership (VPR, CFO, VPs, Deans, Chairs) and with PIs. Finally, developing relationships with other business officers is an essential piece of any WACUBO event. Attendees will leave this workshop with a network of colleagues who have similar roles and responsibilities, and who face many of the same challenges and opportunities.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session participants will be able to:

• Describe elements of sponsored agreements and arching applicable guidance.
• Improve Internal Controls to assist the compliance process.
• Apply methodologies used to monitor Service / Recharge Centers.
• Manage allowable Direct Costs and Indirect Costs.
• Apply and manage the “Grants and Contracts Life Cycle” (from beginning to closing) for Sponsored Research.
• Identify applicable Data Analytics that should / could be employed at your institution.
• Discuss the facilities and administrative (“F & A”) cost proposal process and the related negotiations with cognizant agencies for long form schools.

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Description

Get beyond the basics of accounting and reporting and expand your knowledge and effectiveness as a leader in higher education accounting and reporting. This workshop offers the attendees a solid review of the theoretical framework of higher education accounting and reporting. Operational, investing, and financing activities of the institution are reviewed – along with the impact of these activities on the financial statements. Additional information on analyzing and interpreting financial statements will be provided, along with excellent networking opportunities with colleagues throughout the WACUBO region.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session participants will be able to:

• Discuss the purpose of fund accounting systems and its relevance in today’s reporting formats.
• Explain the differences between operating and non-operating activities.
• Analyze recognition issues pertaining to revenue and expenses.
• Recognize relevant laws and account standards that govern endowments, gifts, and restrictions.
• Identify the difference between financing capital and operating activities.
• Identify the basic financial statements and information included in financial reports.

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Description

Join us for a dynamic and engaging 2-day workshop, designed to equip participants with essential skills and knowledge in Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Yellow Belt, strategic planning, process mapping, change management, and AI. This fast-paced, interactive experience combines lectures, hands-on activities, and real-world applications to ensure participants leave with actionable ideas and a clear understanding of how to drive process improvements.

Through a mix of instruction, group discussions, and practical exercises, participants will gain a foundation in:

• Lean Six Sigma principles and methodologies at the Yellow Belt level
• Strategic planning techniques to align with organizational goals
• Process mapping tools to visualize and optimize workflows
• Change management strategies to ensure successful implementation
• AI applications and opportunities for process enhancement

By the end of this workshop, participants will be equipped to identify opportunities for improvement, develop practical solutions, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement within their organizations.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session participants will be able to:

• Apply Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt principles: Identify waste, contribute to process improvement projects, and understand the role of Yellow Belt in LSS.
• Develop strategic plans: Align process improvements with organizational goals and objectives.
• Map and analyze processes: Use process mapping tools to visualize workflows, identify inefficiencies, and suggest improvements.
• Manage change effectively: Apply change management strategies to ensure successful implementation of process improvements.
• Explore AI applications: Identify opportunities for AI to enhance processes, improve efficiency, and drive innovation.

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Description

Within higher education, we need to be both resource managers with a sense of stewardship, and leaders helping move our teams forward through engaged leadership. This workshop will cover theory and practical application, using case studies, discussion and refection to explore how a leader within higher education can both manage resources smartly and lead people with intent and vision. The morning will focus on the leader, and we will spend the afternoon focusing on leading people. 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session participants will be able to:

• Identify supervisor, manager, and leader behaviors and how to do so intentionally.
• Express individual leadership values and behaviours.
• Develop an understanding of psychological safety.
• Discuss & practically apply concepts to higher education case studies.
• Complete a leader development plan to continue individual leadership learning beyond the workshop.

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Description

This highly interactive workshop will focus on basic higher education budgeting concepts, budget development and management, and its connection to an organization’s mission and goals. Through budgeting process case studies presented at the workshop, participants will be provided with practical tools and strategies to apply to their day-to- day work

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session participants will be able to:

• Explore the concepts and components of a higher education budget process.

• Create a budget for a sample program or department.
• Review tools and techniques for on-going budget management.
• Propose and evaluate budget options through workshop case studies.
• Recognize connections between the budgeting process and institutional mission and goals.

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Description

This workshop is designed to provide an introduction and overview of fundamental concepts of tax in higher education. Primary focus will be given to federal taxation concepts including Unrelated Business Income (“UBI”), the 990 and 990-T filings, as well as other campus tax considerations, such as Private Business Use, sales and use tax compliance, alternative and foreign investments, and property tax considerations. The primary audience will likely be primary institutions, as the focus is on the Federal Form 990, though public institutions also file Form 990-T and have UBI issues. Non-resident alien and employment tax issues may be referenced in passing, but will not be specifically covered.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts of taxation that apply to higher education
• Demonstrate understanding of the major components of the federal 990 and 990-T forms, and how the forms may be used by the public
• Explain the concept of UBI to identify and assess areas of their campus that may generate UBI
• Explain the concept of Private Business Use as it relates to Tax-Exempt financing
• Demonstrate an understanding of the potential implications of alternative investment strategies for federal and state taxation
• Understand issues related to sales and use tax compliance in the state the institution is located as well as potential issues throughout the country
• Discuss current trends and practices related to property tax exemptions and considerations relevant to university operations

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Description

Higher education is in a state of constant flux, with high turnover, leadership transitions at all levels, and many questioning the value of what it brings. This presentation will cover strategies for leaders at all levels to inspire those around them (and keep their motivation) in a time of constant transition.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session participants will be able to:

• Differentiate between transition and change and why.
• Identify specific strategies for individual leaders to keep themselves inspired.
• Understand how different roles at your institution can support you and your team during transition.

• Identify specific leadership practices to inspire others when the world keeps changing.

*Ideally, participants are actively leading a team at a higher education institution. The concepts will be most applicable with real-world experience and may assume some leadership/management knowledge.

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Description

This full-day workshop is designed for accounting and financial services professionals in higher education who play a critical role in audit preparation but may not have formal audit training. Through an interactive and practical approach, this session will equip attendees with the tools and mindset needed to “think like an auditor” throughout the fiscal year—not just at year-end.

Participants will gain a clear understanding of what auditors look for, how to interpret their requests, and how to anticipate and mitigate potential audit findings. The workshop will cover the audit lifecycle, commonly requested PBC (Prepared By Client) items, internal control expectations, and best practices for responding to questions during fieldwork. Real-life scenarios and case-based exercises will help reinforce how everyday transactions and processes tie back to audit risk and documentation.

Whether you are new to the audit process or seeking to sharpen your internal controls and communication strategies, this workshop will help demystify the audit and prepare you to meet it with confidence and clarity.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session participants will be able to:

• Understand the phases of a financial and compliance audit in a higher education context
• Recognize what auditors typically request and why
• Identify ways to prepare effective audit documentation and avoid common pitfalls
• Learn how to respond to auditor inquiries with clarity and professionalism
• Strengthen internal controls to minimize audit risk throughout the year
• Develop a proactive, year-round audit-ready mindset

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