The New Rules of Financial Planning

Higher ed institutions are navigating a prolonged period of financial volatility shaped by enrollment uncertainty, rising labor costs, demographic shifts, growing operational complexity, and increasing scrutiny around institutional sustainability. Yet many colleges and universities still rely on planning systems designed for a more stable environment—systems rooted in annual budgeting cycles, fragmented decision-making, and optimistic assumptions that can delay difficult conversations and necessary action.

This two-part virtual series, adapted from EAB’s CBO Roundtable, explores how institutions can modernize financial planning and improve decision-making in an increasingly uncertain era.

This series will help campuses evaluate whether their current planning processes are equipped to handle a more volatile financial environment and to operationalize financial strategy across campus.

Sessions

Select your sessions and click Register to sign up.

Attendance is best suited for CBOs, budget officers, finance teams, and institutional planning leaders.

• Build Continuous and Adaptive Financial Planning Capabilities
  Wednesday, August 5, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
  
  Many institutions continue to approach financial planning through static annual budget cycles, even as the challenges they face increasingly unfold over multiple years. This session examines how colleges and universities are shifting toward more adaptive, forward-looking financial planning models that improve visibility into risk and support more strategic decision-making.
  
  Through institutional examples and practical strategies, attendees will explore:
  
  • How to strengthen forecasting through more realistic assumptions and scenario modeling
  • Strategies for implementing multi-year planning approaches tied to institutional priorities
  • Ways to improve agility through more frequent forecasting and reforecasting cycles
  • How finance offices are using dashboards, technology, and AI-enabled tools to expand strategic FP&A capacity
  • Approaches for redesigning finance workflows and talent structures to support more proactive planning

• Align Stakeholders Around Financial Reality and Driving Timely Action
  Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
  
  Even strong financial plans fail when institutions cannot align stakeholders around financial realities or act decisively when warning signs emerge. This session explores how colleges and universities are improving financial decision-making by strengthening stakeholder alignment, clarifying governance structures, and creating clearer frameworks for institutional action.
  
  Attendees will explore:
  
  • How to use scenario planning to prepare cabinets and campus leaders for difficult tradeoffs
  • Strategies for translating financial realities into clear, audience-specific narratives
  • Ways to structure committees and decision rights to reduce ambiguity and accelerate action
  • How institutions are using scorecards, dashboards, and intervention triggers to prompt earlier responses
  • Practical approaches for determining which financial actions should occur at different levels of institutional stress