Donna Barrett, Director, Institutional FinanceSouthern Association of Colleges and

Schools/Commission on Colleges

University System of GeorgiaFiscal Year End 2013 Workshop

Topics for the day:

Overview Ways to Hit the Radar ScreenCurrent IssuesOpportunities for Growth

The Deal

The Disclaimer

I won’t be your evaluator

I am not your staff person

The “Deal”

Why SACSCOC?

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges

Established 1895Private, nonprofit, voluntary organizationOver 800 membersRegional Accreditorwww.sacscoc.org

SACS is a regional accreditor

Purposes

Improve Quality

Assure public standards are met

Serve as “gate-keeper” for federal financial aid

Six Regional Accrediting Associations

How does regional accreditation affect me?

Member institutions are reaffirmed every ten years

Member institutions submit interim reports at the five-year point between reaffirmations – federally required

Ways to hit the COC radar screen

DOE issues – federally requiredFinancial IndicatorsSubstantive ChangeComplaintsNews / Public NotificationReaffirmation

Current Issues

Accreditation Activities TimelineAudit Format and Operational OutcomesFifth-Year Report

Accreditation Timelines

Know your timelineConfirm it with your Accreditation LiaisonShare the joy with:

Your auditorYour staffYour CEO (particularly if you anticipate

noncompliance)Your Board of Trustees

Disclosure Change

Possible implications

Core Requirement 2.11.1

Requires an audit and management letter for most recent year

Requires a budget approved by the BoardRequires narrative “making a case”

ARE THESE THREE CONSISTENT?

A Sample Public Institution

Trend asset classesExamine Available ResourcesOperational OutcomesOperational Cash FlowsEnrollment

USE AUDIT to produce narrative

TWO ISSUES

Is the institution living within its means?Are these behaviors sustainable?

Fifth-Year Interim Report

Requires full response

Areas related to finance:CS 3.11.3 Physical facilities appropriately serve

programs, services and mission-related activitiesNow include technological infrastructure

Can result in financial monitoring…

Fifth-Year Interim Report

(Continued)

FR 4.7 Compliance with Title IVCS 3.10.2 Audits financial aid

Noncompliance can result in financial monitoring…

MYTH versus FACT

There is a magic number…

Why be a financial evaluator?

Helps your own institutionBroadens your horizons Professional contactsBuilds your resumeService to higher education communityForm:

http://www.sacscoc.org/evalinfoform.asp

The End.

Thank you so much.

dbarrett@sacscoc.org