Finance

Our commitment is to support the Mailman School of Public Health, the University community and its external constituents by providing the highest quality financial and accounting services within an environment that fosters integrity, professionalism, accountability, and teamwork, and ensures accuracy and timeliness while maximizing efficiency and productivity.  We accomplish this by providing directed guidance in:

  • financial planning and reporting
  • internal and external compliance
  • financial administration

The Accounting Services and Budget and Financial Analysis units support this mission. The Office’s efforts in these areas are led by Elizabeth Tashiro, Interim Vice Dean of Finance and Administration.

Budget & Financial Analysis

The responsibility of this unit is to promote coordinated planning and efficient use of resources - both capital and operating - in order to best achieve the programmatic missions of the School. To meet these goals, the budget and financial analysis team provides executive management with objective, accurate, and timely information as well as analyses that support strategic planning initiatives.

The team works hand-in-hand with academic departments, research centers, and administrative units to provide the decision-making tools necessary to ensure fiscal sustainability and compliance with institutional policies.

Specific functions include but are not limited to:

  • Budget Development and Forecasting
  • Capital Planning and Reporting
  • Financial Reporting and Analysis
  • Business Plan Analysis
  • Financial Modeling and Cost-Benefit Analysis/Projection
  • Liaison to CUMC and University Offices
  • Training and Development
  • Accreditation Reporting

Accounting Services

Specific functions include but are not limited to: Maintaining a sound and effective internal control environment, this unit ensures compliance with relevant federal, state, and University regulations as well as with generally accepted accounting principles. We manage the overall accounting and payroll operations of the School including managing internal controls to mitigate risk; ensuring that official accounting records of both the School and the University are current and accurate; safeguarding the assets of the School and the University; monitoring accounting practices, and performing other general accounting duties.

  • Internal Auditing and Financial Control
  • Payroll Processing and Supervision
  • Accounts Payable and Procurement Support
  • Account Maintenance and Reconciliation
  • Interdepartmental Invoices (IDIs)
  • Effort Reporting Coordination
  • Petty Cash Management
  • Liaison to Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA)
  • Training and Development

Wire Payments

Wire transfers are real-time payments that are created outside of ARC and recorded within ARC. In almost all cases, wire transfers are reserved for international vendors only. Some other key distinctions from other forms of university payment are:

  • Wires allow the immediate transmission of funds
  • They are more expensive, costing between $10 - $30
  • They are dispersed in foreign currency, but paid in US dollars

It is the responsibility of the processing department to complete the vendor and voucher steps in ARC. Properly setting up and approving wire transfers takes time, so it is necessary to plan ahead to complete all of the steps in ARC to avoid delays. Wire transfers will be processed the same day if all department steps are completed prior to 10 EST.

More detailed information on wire transfers here:

University Resources

The University maintains a broad range of finance-related services and resources to assist and inform faculty and staff. Some of those most frequently consulted are listed below: