Mission Statement

The Office of University Controller (OUC) provides leadership to the University of Colorado in financial recording, reporting, policy guidance, and communication. The University Controller, by delegation from the President, has authority over and responsibility for the fiscal practices of the University.

Our office manages the university’s Financial System of record (and its interfaces with purchasing, payables, human resources, the Cognos Reporting System, and other subsystems), working closely with campus controllers, state controller, and state auditor to prepare the external financial reports and to ensure that fiscal practices comply with regent policies, other external and internal rules and regulations, including University Fiscal Procedures, and generally accepted accounting principles.

We communicate fiscal policies and procedures through live/recorded learning events, blogs, website, and training videos and we provide guidance to faculty, staff, and other individuals by way of 1:1 and group online/in-person training, as well as a comprehensive Continuing Professional Education Program. In addition, our office creates explainer videos on behalf of other CU offices (Budget & Finance, Treasury, Internal Audit) to serve and educate state government entities and Colorado citizen interests, as well as administering the CU-wide Innovation & Efficiency Awards employee recognition program.

The OUC supports the University's mission by:

  • providing timely, accurate, and relevant financial information to the University community and to all interested stakeholders;
  • preparing the University's tax filings and ensuring appropriate safeguards for University tax compliance;
  • managing payroll-benefit accounting functions for the University of Colorado;
  • supporting and developing financial accounting information systems;
  • promulgating clear, practical guidelines to assist the University community in dispensing fiscal responsibilities through these systems; and,
  • providing direct assistance to faculty, staff, and other individuals through a comprehensive, centralized resource unit (Financial Services & Solutions, or FSS@cu.edu).

Section Roles and Responsibilities: What Our Teams Do

Through the Accounting Services section:

  • Develop and prepare external financial reports and State interfaces for the University.
  • Serve as the liaison for the University with external audit agencies by acting as the administrative contact point for the independent auditors' fiscal examinations and preparing or gathering all necessary workpapers.
  • Give professional/technical support in the areas of recording, classifying, reconciling, and correcting financial transactions and in the use of ChartFields.

Through the Tax & Payroll-Benefit Accounting section:

  • Prepare the University of Colorado tax filings and develop and interpret University tax policies and practices.
  • Implement and manage appropriate safeguards for University tax compliance and ensure compliance with tax reporting requirements.
  • Administer and manage the payroll-benefit accounting functions for the University of Colorado.

Through the Financial & Reporting Systems section:

  • Maintain the PeopleSoft Finance System (FIN) and ensure it produces appropriate financial information.
  • Coordinate with other departments in the implementation of new applications to assure appropriate interface with FIN.
  • Develop and maintain the Cognos Reporting System (CU-Data).
  • Develop and maintain the University's ePERS (electronic Personnel Effort Reporting System) for compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, commonly known as Uniform Guidance. 

Through the Financial Services & Solutions section:

  • Develop and communicate clear fiscal and procurement policies, procedures, and forms.
  • Develop timely, relevant training materials.
  • Maintain high-quality, timely assistance through Financial Services & Solutions Help team (FSS@cu.edu).
  • Design and deliver high-quality, relevant courses on fiscal and other topics through the OUC's Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Program.

Core Functions

  • Assure financial reporting is timely and accurate,including providing data to the State Reporting System
  • Promote establishment and understanding of strong internal controls
  • Prepare the University of Colorado tax filings and promote compliance with tax assessment and reporting requirements
  • Manage payroll/benefit accounting functions for the University
  • Control and maintain the PeopleSoft Finance System (FIN) and its interfaces, the effort reporting system (ePERS), and the Cognos Reporting System (CU-Data) 
  • Develop and train on the use of financial systems (FIN, CU-Data, etc.)
  • Develop and train on financial policies, procedures, and forms, providing a critical education and support function through FSS@cu.edu 
  • Promote fulfillment of fiscal responsibilities and professional development through Continuing Professional Education (CPE) courses