Financial Planning and Resource Management

New University Audit Executive Begins Tenure

Syracuse University’s Division of Business, Finance and Administrative Services is pleased to welcome Utibe Offiong to the role of University Audit Executive. Reporting to the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and to the University Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees, the Audit Executive provides guidance to Ernst & Young, the University’s co-sourced internal audit partner.

In her new role, Offiong will be responsible for developing and overseeing an effective internal audit program for the University. She will evaluate and improve the overall effectiveness of the University’s risk management and controls process, and will advise senior management and the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees on the adequacy and effectiveness of the University’s systems and controls. Offiong will additionally assess compliance with and adherence to University policies and procedures and applicable laws and regulations.

“Utibe’s vision, skills, and past experience have prepared her well to serve in this essential role,” says Amir Rahnamay-Azar, senior vice president and chief financial officer. “She has over 25 years of service as a chief audit executive in higher education, and I know she will be a valuable addition to the University.”

In the near term, Offiong will be tasked with managing and fostering strong collaborative relationships across the University. Internal audit serves a variety of University units, including operations, academic, research, and service. As such, she will meet with a broad cross-section of members of the senior administration early on in her time at Syracuse as she establishes relationships with key campus stakeholders.

As the University’s executive for internal audit, Offiong will additionally be responsible for developing and overseeing an annual internal audit plan aimed at: 1) Systemically assessing internal controls in the University and its corresponding units, and 2) Mitigating risks through audits and recommendations of best practices.

Offiong comes to Syracuse University from Brown University, where she has served as Chief University Auditor since 2008. At Brown, she was responsible for directing the overall vision for the internal audit function and aligning its initiatives with the risk profile and strategic goals of the organization. Prior to her time at Brown, she held the role of Director of Internal Audit at Northeastern University for 14 years. She also has previous experience with KPMG, one of the “Big Four” accounting firms.

Offiong earned her MBA in business administration from Northeastern University, and holds a BS in Business Administration from the same university. Over the course of her career, Offiong has gained a number of certifications, including Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA), and Certified in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA).

Said Offiong, “I am excited to leverage my extensive higher education experience and collaborative work style to assist Syracuse University in reaching its next level of excellence through audit and related programs.”

University’s 2019-20 Budget Includes Largest Ever Commitment to Student Financial Aid

Allocating nearly $280 million to student financial aid, Syracuse University’s 2019-20 budget prioritizes attracting and retaining students of promise and talent from across the socioeconomic spectrum. The figure reflects a nearly 9 percent increase in student financial aid as part of the budget approved by the University’s Board of Trustees.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

BFAS Launches Academic Leaders Training Program

Academic leaders require knowledge of the financial and administrative framework of the University to make effective decisions and to fulfill their duties in an accurate, effective and financially responsible manner.

The Academic Leaders Training program, developed by the Division of Business, Finance and Administrative Services (BFAS), delivers financial training for current and future academic leaders. The training will ensure a strong understanding of the University’s budget model and financial policies, BFAS processes and procedures, and the potential financial implications from academic decisions to assist in fostering financial success in schools and colleges and academic support units.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News.

Purchasing Office to Offer Training for Electronic Requisitions

In October 2018, the Purchasing Office announced a transition away from paper requisition forms. The office expects the transition to be complete by the end of fiscal year 2019, upon which time paper forms will only be accepted in very limited instances. The goal of the department is to move completely to electronic requisition forms by the end of the calendar year. To assist with the changeover, the Purchasing Office is offering training sessions for staff members affected by this change.

Read the full story at Syracuse University News

Timekeeping and HR Transaction Training Resources and Information Available

A cross-functional team continues to make progress to introduce timesaving systems to improve timekeeping and core HR transactions. This technology will bring new, simpler processes that result in the quicker inputting of more accurate data, ultimately allowing employees to spend less time on administrative functions and more time on their individual priorities. With the assistance of operational leaders and a knowledge network of department administrators, the project remains on track for a July 30 go live.

Full story available from Syracuse University News.