Following on from last week’s blog post on ‘why’ institutions should be delving into Academic Program Financial Management, this post provides advice on the types of data needed to support these models. Tip 1 – Data Data extracts are required from multiple siloed systems. These include Financial Management, HR/Payroll, Student Management Systems, Timetabling and sometimes […]
READ MORECan you estimate the cost of new Programs that your institution is considering adding to your curriculum? New Subjects? What is the cost difference to teach different student types (domestic, international, in-state etc.) in each Program? Or Subject? What is the magic ‘breakeven’ student number for each Program? Subject? And how does this change when […]
READ MOREBenchmarking has long been one of the most valuable tools for higher education leaders. By comparing operational and academic performance against peers, institutions can identify strengths, uncover efficiency gaps, and plan for the future with greater confidence. But traditional benchmarking has its limitations. Annual reports are often delivered as static PDFs or spreadsheets, with access […]
READ MOREWhy Understanding the Cost of Teaching Matters More Than Ever Australian universities operate in an environment of constrained public funding, growing demand for diverse delivery modes, and pressure to maintain educational quality. Understanding the cost of teaching is crucial for academic leaders navigating these pressures to ensure sustainable and mission-aligned resource allocation. Collaborative research by […]
READ MOREWhy Evaluating Courses and Forecasting Programs Is Critical As universities navigate increasing complexity and financial pressure, academic leaders are seeking more data-informed ways to evaluate programs and forecast resource needs. In the fifth episode of Pilbara Insights, host Lea Patterson speaks with Fred Reich, Corporate Management Accountant at the University of Wollongong, to unpack this […]
READ MOREThis article is written for senior leaders in higher education, including vice-chancellors, provosts, deans, chief financial officers, and institutional planners. It assumes an advanced understanding of university operations, strategic planning, and the nuances of higher education finance. Why Budget Models Matter for University Strategy University budget models are more than accounting tools. They are strategic […]
READ MOREHow Leading Universities Balance Mission and Financial Sustainability In today’s higher education environment, where institutions face funding volatility, increased regulatory scrutiny, and shifting learner expectations, program review and optimisation has evolved into core strategic functions. These processes are no longer solely about quality assurance or academic benchmarking; they now serve as vital tools for aligning […]
READ MOREWhy Academic Resource Management Matters More Than Ever Universities across the globe are facing an inflection point. The financial pressures of declining government funding, rising operational costs, and increasingly complex learner demands are forcing institutions to rethink how they manage their academic resources. At the heart of this challenge lies academic resource management, a discipline […]
READ MOREVery…but let’s elaborate. Professor Bill Massy, professor emeritus of education and business administration and former vice president and vice provost at Stanford University, states in his book “Resource Management for Colleges & Universities” that all colleges and universities are governed by an “internal economy”, which he defines as: “A university’s internal economy is the network […]
READ MORETLDR: The last 10-15 years of low interest and low inflation were great but are now gone. You need the financial performance of every academic program and course available for review at any time. Comprehensive financial reviews of academic programs can no longer be done every 3-5 years, they need to be done at least […]
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