
Agenda
Thursday, March 21, 2024
9:00 AM - 9:55 AM CT
Welcome
9:55 AM - 10:00 AM CT
Higher Education Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM CT
Dan Campbell, Partner and Higher Education Services Director, CapinCrouse LLP
Junice Jones, Partner, CapinCrouse LLP
Winters Richwine, Chief Operating Officer & Investment Consultant, Cornerstone Management
(CPE: Specialized Knowledge)
There are several important areas for forward-thinking institutions to consider as they look ahead to what’s next. Understanding what is driving current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the higher education industry can help your institution plan strategically.
During this session, we’ll discuss trends in higher education including financial stability, inflation pressures, and student population demographics. We’ll also provide an update on the economy and financial markets, including key considerations you can apply at your institution.
Learning objectives:
- Analyze key trends, challenges, and opportunities in higher education and their effect on strategic planning
- Assess financial stability from a market perspective and viability in light of thin operating margins
- Consider the impact of inflation on the higher education business model
- Address the impact of student body demographics on future institutional planning
- Consider institutional strategies in light of current economic and financial environments
Break
10:50 AM - 11:00 AM CT
2024 Compliance Updates
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM CT
Lisa R. Saul, Partner and Uniform Guidance Director, CapinCrouse LLP
Tyler VanderVen, Partner, CapinCrouse LLP
Chris DuKate, Partner, CapinCrouse LLP
(CPE: Accounting (Governmental))
This session will cover important compliance updates for higher education institutions to consider, including the Financial Responsibility Standards (FRS), the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) form, certificate programs, and the Graham Leach Bliley Act (GLBA). We’ll also discuss common compliance findings and the Department of Education’s assessment tools to aid in compliance with student financial aid requirements.
Learning objectives:
- Identify recent FRS updates and best practices
- Outline key updates on the new FASFA process and the implications for institutions
- Identity key changes to certificate program eligibility and reporting
- Review recent GLBA updates and what institutions should focus on
- Assess common compliance findings and Federal Student Aid assessment tools
Lunch
11:50 AM - 1:00 PM CT
Tax Update
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM CT
Chris Purnell, Partner and Tax Counsel, CapinCrouse LLP
(CPE: Taxes)
We live in a constantly evolving tax landscape. In this session, we will summarize the most important tax developments for higher education institutions, with a look at what lies ahead in 2024.
Learning objectives:
- Identify recent tax changes that directly impact higher education institutions and the broader exempt organization community, including the current state of Employee Retention Credit claims and the new energy credits
- Evaluate how recent IRS pronouncements, court cases, and other changes will affect your institution
- Determine what your institution might need to do to prepare for the future
Break
1:50 PM - 2:00 PM CT
Institution-Wide Budgeting
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM CT
Dan Campbell, Partner and Higher Education Services Director, CapinCrouse LLP
David Tarrant, Vice President for Business and Finance/CFO, Dallas Theological Seminary
(CPE: Finance)
One lesson the pandemic taught us is that traditional budgeting no longer serves the higher education industry well. Join us as we discuss how to improve and streamline the budgeting process with a more responsive budget. We will also discuss effective budget presentation to the institution's governance, executives, and other stakeholders.
Learning objectives:
- Reduce your time spent preparing the budget
- Improve the accuracy of the budget
- Communicate key trends, concerns, and opportunities through the budget
Q&A, Closing Remarks
2:50 PM - 3:00 PM CT