CU Finance Division - Office of the Treasurer

The Office of the Treasurer has moved

to the Studebaker Building in Manhattanville.

View the Shuttle Schedule .

Mission Statement

The mission of the Office of the Treasurer is to protect and enhance the financial resources of the University through effective cash management, prudent borrowing and careful attention to risk. With integrity and dedication, we establish partnerships with our customers and financial institutions. Together we explore, develop and deliver creative solutions to meet the needs of Columbia University today and tomorrow.

Cash Management and Operations

Manages the opening and closure of bank accounts (domestic and foreign) including the establishment of appropriate signatory requirements
Arranges electronic access to bank accounts
Promotes electronic payments methods including electronic conversion of checks at point of sale
Selects and manages payment card merchant accounts and vendors
Opens and advises on the use of lockboxes
Manages the daily cash position including the short term investment of surplus cash and the initiation of wires (domestic and foreign)
Advises on the appropriate use of petty cash including the observance of internal controls
Receives, records and sells securities gifted to the University
Provides cash checking facilities on campus (payroll van)
Arranges the collection of foreign checks, the issue of letters of credit and other miscellaneous bank services

Risk Management

Protects and preserves University assets through risk avoidance strategies
Performs enterprise-wide and program specific risk assessments and analysis
Establishes appropriate levels of risk retention and self-insurance
Purchases commercial insurance on behalf of University, its affiliates, and any individual school program
Establishes appropriate risk management practices and procedures for international ventures
Selects and supervises risk management vendors, including consultants, insurer, brokers, and third-party claim administrators
Oversees claim reporting administration litigation
Performs compliance and consultation reviews of grant, lease, and miscellaneous contract document (regarding indemnity and insurance language)
Advocates within the University on risk issues and resolution strategies
Calculates and allocates costs of risk to academic and other departments
Provides risk consulting and administration of the School of the Arts' Graduate Film and Theatre Divisions insurance programs
Consults on catastrophe planning and preparation
Consults on construction risk remediation strategies

Capital Planning

Develops University debt strategy to help finance construction and maintenance of capital projects;
Coordinates University borrowing activities, including both tax-exempt and taxable debt issuance.
Ensures compliance with debt-related covenants, i.e., liquidity coverage and continuing disclosure;
Manages reimbursement of eligible project expenditures with tax-exempt bond proceeds in accordance with IRS rules;
Presents University credit profile to rating agencies;
Arranges payment of principal, interest, and other debt-related fees

Columbia University's Tax ID is 13-5598093