Cwu Finance Office

The Central Washington University (CWU) Finance Office plays a crucial role in managing the university's financial resources and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and university policies. Located primarily in Bouillon Hall, the office provides a wide array of services to students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.

For students, the Finance Office is often the point of contact for tuition payments, refunds, and understanding billing statements. They manage student accounts, process financial aid disbursements, and offer guidance on payment plans. Students can access their account information and make payments online through the MyCWU portal, a centralized system that streamlines many financial transactions. The office also handles Perkins Loan servicing and collections.

Faculty and staff interact with the Finance Office primarily through accounts payable, procurement, and budget management. The accounts payable team is responsible for processing payments to vendors for goods and services used by the university. This includes ensuring proper documentation, verifying invoices, and adhering to payment schedules. The procurement team assists departments with purchasing goods and services in accordance with university purchasing policies and state regulations. They help navigate the bidding process, manage contracts, and ensure that purchases are cost-effective and compliant.

Budget management is another critical function of the Finance Office. They work closely with university leadership and department heads to develop and monitor the university's annual budget. This involves allocating resources, tracking expenditures, and providing financial analysis to inform decision-making. The office also prepares financial reports for internal and external stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees, state agencies, and accrediting bodies.

Beyond these core functions, the CWU Finance Office also oversees grant accounting, ensuring that grant funds are managed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant awards. This requires meticulous record-keeping, compliance monitoring, and reporting to funding agencies. They also manage the university's investments and ensure that funds are invested prudently to maximize returns while minimizing risk.

The Finance Office is committed to providing excellent customer service and strives to be a reliable and trustworthy resource for the CWU community. They regularly update their website with relevant information, forms, and policies. Staff members are available to answer questions and provide assistance via phone, email, and in-person appointments. They actively seek ways to improve their processes and leverage technology to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

In summary, the CWU Finance Office is a vital department responsible for the sound financial management of the university. Their diverse range of services supports the institution's mission of providing high-quality education and serving the needs of its students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. They are the guardians of CWU's financial resources, ensuring accountability, compliance, and responsible stewardship.