Higher Education

A Business Advisor for Higher Education

We help your institution understand its financial picture and remain compliant with evolving regulatory standards so you can focus on your mission and your students. As your trusted business advisor, it is not only our job to keep you aware of emerging audit and tax issues impacting higher education but also to aid in improving operational efficiency, mitigating risk and communicating effectively with your institution’s key financial stakeholders.

Who We Serve

Broadcast
Media

College & University Foundations

Private & Public Institutions

NCAA Compliance

For-Profit Institutions

Why Choose Brown Edwards

Experience Matters

Our team specializes in higher education and has more than 50 years of experience providing meaningful counsel to institutions. With over 500 team members across 12 offices, we have the big-firm resources to provide customized solutions and the small-firm client care to be accessible and responsive to you.

Our clients have praised our accessibility and hands-on style,
as well as our depth of knowledge and capabilities.

Our team stays on top of changes in the industry through participation in the following organizations: 

Our time with Brown Edwards has been very positive. The audit is very well prepared and the communication between us and them is great. We feel our time with Brown Edwards has been time well spent and has helped us do our jobs better.
headshot of man in button up shirt with face resting on fist
Doug Frood
Former Associate Vice President of Southern Adventist University

Services for Higher Education

Audits

Audit Services

  • Independent external audit
  • Employee benefit plan/403(b) audit
  • Specialized audits – effectiveness of internal controls, reports of specific operations
  • Compliance with Uniform Guidance Requirements

Ratio Analysis

Ratio Analysis

  • Calculation of the Composite Financial Index and related ratios
  • Calculation of Department of Education’s Composite Score
  • Calculation of S&P and Moody’s ratios
  • Trend analysis

Tax Services

Tax Services

  • Preparation of Form 990
  • Consultation regarding presentation

Unrelated Business Income

UBIT Services

  • Preparation of Form 990-T and applicable state returns
  • Consultations regarding proposed transactions

Compliance

Compliance Services

  • Assistance with debt compliance letters
  • Bond compliance reporting
  • Assistance with USDA financial feasibility studies
  • NCAA required agreed upon procedures

Ready to BE Informed?

Subscribe to receive our latest event updates, thought leadership, and insights on today’s critical topics including:

  • Accountability and Governance
  • Organizational Change, Strategy & Finance
  • Endowment Management
  • Risk Management
  • Financial Statements
  • Performance Improvement
  • Regulatory Changes
  • Best accounting practices for higher education

Contact our Higher Education Team

Partner, Practice Leader

Mark E. Woolwine, CPA

Mark is a partner and co-leader of the firm's higher education practice with over 25 years of experience. In his role as co-leader of the higher education practice, Mark oversees services provided to the firm's higher education clients including college and university foundations. In addition, Mark is a frequent presenter at higher education industry conferences.

Partner, Practice Leader

John C. Hash, CPA

John has over 26 years at Brown Edwards, providing assurance services and serving as a practice leader for the firm’s dealership and higher education practices. He also provides assurance services to higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, and construction contractors. In addition, John is a team captain on peer reviews of other public accounting firms.

Leslie F Roberts, CPA

Partner

Leslie F Roberts, CPA

Partner

Valerie R. Ellis, CPA, CGMA

Partner

Valerie R. Ellis, CPA, CGMA

Partner

Ready to Elevate Your Institution?

Contact us to learn more about how we partner with your institution.

Brown Edwards Certified Public Accountants

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Contact

Our Education Team

Meet the Higher Education Team

Leslie F Roberts, CPA

Partner

Leslie F Roberts, CPA

Partner

Valerie R. Ellis, CPA, CGMA

Partner

Valerie R. Ellis, CPA, CGMA

Partner

Meet the Team

Leslie F Roberts, CPA

Partner

Leslie F Roberts, CPA

Partner

Valerie R. Ellis, CPA, CGMA

Partner

Valerie R. Ellis, CPA, CGMA

Partner

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