First Fiscal Officer Development Series participants ‘graduate’

The series allows personnel from IU’s campuses to “sharpen their fiscal management tools.” Because IU is one of the country’s largest multi-campus public research universities using responsibility center management, the tools are essential.

“Over the past few years, we have been working with a number of individuals, both inside and outside the university, to evaluate the effectiveness of our financial management operations,” said Judy Palmer, IU vice president and chief financial officer. “One frequently cited need is to improve the opportunities for education and training of our fiscal officers.”

The series is a collaborative effort with Palmer’s office, the offices of the Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, the Vice President for Research and Dean of the University Graduate School, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chancellor of the Bloomington Campus, and the Vice President for Long-Range Planning and Chancellor, IUPUI.

A committee, composed of representatives from the various offices, spent a year developing a series curriculum designed to reflect the university’s complex environment of decentralized fiscal management. IU is one of the country’s largest multi-campus public research universities using responsibility center management.

During the series, fiscal officers could acquire or sharpen their “fiscal management tools”—including technical tools (policy and procedures), organizational and cultural tools (an understanding of the unique and diverse operational environments found at IU), and knowledge of the resources and other tools (courses and other learning opportunities) for building and improving personal and management skills. Certified public accountant (CPA) holders in the group also earned Continuing Professional Education credits for completing the series.

“The program is designed to provide fiscal officers with the opportunity to understand more fully how their responsibilities and roles interface with the university’s overall financial stewardship,” said Palmer. “IU’s growth and its increasingly complex financial environments, both inside and outside the institution, present significant challenges for fiscal officers at the university, campus and school levels. It is important that fiscal managers at all levels work in concert to ensure that IU’s fiscal operations are managed effectively and efficiently.

“I want to express appreciation to my staff and their colleagues, who designed this program,” Palmer said, “and a special congratulations to the first class of fiscal officers, who successfully completed the series.”

The series committee was co-chaired by Kathleen McNeely, managing director, Financial Management Services, and Barry Thomas, director of Management Advisory Services.

Plans are underway for the next series, which will begin in September. Details will be sent to campus chancellors and vice presidents who will be invited to nominate fiscal officers from their areas.

For more information, contact McNeely (kmcneely@indiana.edu) or Thomas (thomasb@indiana.edu).

The following IU fiscal officers completed the series:

IU Bloomington

Vicki Roberts, Office of the Vice President for Student Development and Diversity; Sue Weaver, Office of the Vice President for Research and University Graduate School; Mark Hilycord, School of Law; David Skirvin, School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation; Brad Thomas, School of Public and Environmental Affairs; Kim Crowe, Kelley School of Business; Fred Sherrill, Office of Enrollment Services; Marilyn Gregory, Office of the Dean of Faculties, and Julie Bauters, Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chancellor of the Bloomington Campus.

IU East

Dianne Chandler, Human Resources, and Daniel Dooley, Business Office.

IUPUI

Cindy Callahan, Administration and Finance; Tim Brown, School of Medicine; Debbie Ferguson, School of Dentistry; Tammy Martin, School of Public and Environment Affairs; Jon Ray, Campus Facility Services; and Vicky Terhune, b> Kelley School of Business.

IU Kokomo

Bill Yost, Administration and Finance, and Ruth Person, Chancellor.

IU Northwest

Marilyn Vasquez, Administrative and Fiscal Affairs.

IU South Bend

Mary Ann Zemke, Finance and Administration; Anita Echevarria, Accounting Services; Michael Kerstiens, Accounting/Bursar; and Mark Mixner, Administrative Affairs.

University administration

Laurie Antolovic, Office of the Vice President for Information Technology; Jenny Floyd, Office of the Vice President for Administration; Susan Parrish, University Budget Office; and Julie NcNeely, Financial and Administrative Services.