Chief Business Officer

A Chief Business Officer (CBO) is the top business officer of an academic or research institution such as a university, college, institute or teaching hospital. The chief business officer title or role is commonplace in American higher education with the title of vice president also frequently applied to the executive serving in the CBO role. The chief business officer is generally responsible for the administrative, financial and operations management of the institution often combining the roles of chief administrative officer, chief financial officer and chief operating officer. The chief business officer is also usually one of the highest ranking executives in an academic or research organization, often overseeing strategic planning in addition to budgets, finances, contracts, human resources, procurement, compliance, real estate and facilities.

Many university chief business officers hold advanced academic degrees or professional certifications and continue to participate in academic research or consulting projects in their areas of expertise. Job experience as a business officer is generally gained, on the job, at the department, unit or program level prior to advancing into the chief business officer role although business officers at all levels are sometimes hired from private industry, government or other non-profit organizations.

Educational requirements for the chief business officer vary by institution. Many chief business officers hold a Master of Business Administration or Master of Public Administration degree or graduate level professional credentials such as the Certified Business Manager (CBM) and Master Financial Professional (MFP) designations. Many CBOs also hold business specialty designations including the Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

ee also

* Chief administrative officer
* Chief financial officer
* Chief operating officer
* Certified Business Manager
* Master Financial Professional
* Certified Management Accountant
* Certified Public Accountant

References

[http://www.nacubo.org/ National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)]

[http://www.nacubo.org/x6555.xml?s=/ NACUBO Reports and Papers, Developing in the Role of Chief Business Officer- A National Study]

[http://chronicle.com/ The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Business Officer Magazine, A Learning Agenda for Chief Business Officers, May 2001

The Other Career in Education; College Administration Is a Promising Field With a Personal Touch, The Washington Post, August 20, 2006, Rebecca R. Kahlenberg.

[http://www.apbm.org/ Association of Professionals in Business Management (APBM}]

[http://www.acap.org/ Association of College Administration Professionals (ACAP}]