In summer 2017, the Vice President for Finance and Administration and the Office of Audit Services commissioned Baker Tilly International to conduct a comprehensive review of the university’s business operations. Their findings included:
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High level of employee commitment and dedication
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Focus on providing quality customer service
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Employee willingness and desire to invest effort into enhancing the business structure and operations
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Stakeholders reporting a higher level of compliance, expertise and professionalism since the implementation of Business Centers
Baker Tilly recommended a number of improvements to business operations. They categorized recommendations according to the internal controls framework developed by the enterprise risk management organization, COSO (Committee of Sponsoring Organizations) of the Treadway Commission.
Following Baker Tilly's recommendations, the vice president launched a cross-functional team of leaders and experts within business operations to create a systems approach framework and engage units in targeted improvement projects. This multi-year effort became known as Beaver Works, overseen by the Division of Finance Administration’s project management office.
The Beaver Works Executive Update (PDF), linked below, provides an internal Beaver Works report outlining the various ways OSU has addressed and continues to improve in the challenge areas identified in the Baker Tilly report. The full Baker Tilly Business Operations Best Practice Review report (PDF) is also provided here. In January 2023, Vice President Mike Green provided an update to OSU's Board of Trustees about the ways OSU has met the challenges identified by Baker Tilly.
Beaver Works Executive Update
Baker Tilly Business Operations Review
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