DRIVE-IN WORKSHOPS
Our educational drive-in workshops are being extended to two-day events providing a great opportunity to obtain an update on higher education topics that are pertinent to you and your school in a cost-effective way. We invite business officers from colleges and universities that are within a 2-3 hour drive of the host site to these such that participants can attend without the requirement of an overnight room stay. One day will be an introduction to Higher Ed focused on individuals of all levels who are new to the Higher Ed industry. The second day will be similar to past workshops with various higher education topics. Both days will traditionally run from 9:00am–4:00pm with a break for lunch. CPE credit is also available for attendees (6 hours per day, 12 total). Besides providing beneficial educational opportunities, the workshop also provides networking opportunities to institutions close to your campus.
Indiana Drive-in Educational Workshop

We’re excited to invite you to our August Drive-In Workshop at the Beck’s Conference Center in West Lafayette, Indiana. This workshop also offers professional development close to your campus, plus the chance to network with peers from nearby institutions. This is a great chance to gain timely insights, sharpen your knowledge, and connect with colleagues, all in a convenient, local setting.
- Dates: Monday, August 3, and Tuesday, August 4
- Location: Beck’s Agricultural Conference Center, Purdue University
4550 U.S. 52 W, West Lafayette, IN 47906
- Cost: $59 for one day / $110 for both (includes lunch)
- CPE Credit: 6 hours per day / 12 total
- Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm (with lunch break)
- Lodging Info: Email [email protected] for local options
- Workshop Agenda
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Day 1: Higher Education Update (Monday, August 3) Led by Forvis Mazars Day One focuses on current issues impacting higher ed, including:
- AI: Introductions, policies, risks and considerations and Hyper Automation ideas
- Exploring Ethics in Higher Education
- How People are Using CoPilot and ChatGPT
- Jeopardy Game on Fraud or other topics (updated)
- 2026 Higher Education Outlook
- How to Do More with Less: Innovation Tournament – guided brainstorming sessions on how to implement change
Day 2: Fundamentals of Higher Ed Business Office (Tuesday, August 4) Ideal for newcomers or those needing a refresher. Topics will be covered by:
- Marty Mickey, National Louis University
- Representatives from the Controller’s team, Purdue University
Sessions include:
- Business Office and Higher Education Accounting Overview
- Financial Reporting
- Budget and Payroll
- Procurement, Accounts Payable and Treasury
- Endowment Management
- Accounts Receivable and Fixed Assets
- Grants Accounting and Endowments
Both days will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with a break for lunch. CPE credit is available for attendees (6 hours per day, 12 total).
In addition to the valuable educational sessions, this workshop provides an excellent opportunity to network with local colleagues and peers—all at a convenient location.
CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS
If you need to transfer or cancel your registration, please email [email protected]. Requests for refunds will be approved up until May 1, 2026. Requests after this date will be charged a $20 processing fee. CACUBO will refund the full amount of the registration when CACUBO cancels a program.
2026 CPE INFORMATION

Sessions are offered in the “Group Live” format. For questions regarding CPE, please contact Julee Sherman, CACUBO CPE Coordinator.
QUESTIONS
Contact [email protected]
- Here's What Past Attendees Had to Say
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“Participating in the CACUBO Drive-In Workshop at the University of Iowa this May was a great professional experience. I have attended many conferences and trainings over the years, but this workshop stood out for its practical focus, collaborative spirit, and immediate applicability. The Drive-In format created an ideal environment for meaningful engagement. Rather than a large conference, this setting fostered open dialogue, allowing participants to exchange ideas, share challenges, and learn directly from one another. The opportunity to both present and contribute to discussions with peers across institutions made the experience especially valuable.
What impressed me most was the relevance of the sessions. The topics were thoughtfully curated to address the evolving landscape of higher education finance, with practical insights that I was able to bring back and discuss with my team right away. The conversations were candid and solutions-oriented, reflecting the real-world complexities we navigate daily.
Hosting the workshop at the University of Iowa further enhanced the experience, providing a welcoming and well-organized setting that supported both formal sessions and informal networking. The relationships built and strengthened during this event are just as impactful as the content itself.
I highly recommend CACUBO Drive-In Workshops to finance and administrative professionals looking for high-quality, engaging, and actionable professional development."
Rachel McGuire, MBA, CPA, Assistant Vice President and University Controller, Finance & Operations, University of Iowa
“The Iowa City drive-in workshop provided a great avenue to engage with business colleagues in the geographic area. It was very relevant content and presented in a way that everyone could contribute and be a part of the discussion at all levels. There was a wealth of information that was made manageable by the planning committee. …and a great opportunity to make new contacts to share common experiences and challenges.”
Rodney P. Chambers, Director of Business & Financial Operations, Interim Director of Human Resources, University Library
“The Drive-in Workshop was a great training opportunity that was well organized and had excellent presentations. The topics were relevant, and I had many great takeaways to bring back to our campus for further conversation and consideration. I will definitely be attending these events in the future!
Weston Shepard, Controller at Midland University
“As a CPA with seven years of experience in public accounting, three years in a state department, and twelve years in higher education, I found the two-day workshop to be a highly valuable opportunity. The sessions covered a comprehensive range of topics—including audit, policy, financial management, cybersecurity, and internal controls—providing insights relevant to financial professionals at all levels.
The conference leaders were engaging and skillful in facilitating interactive discussions. I was particularly impressed by the depth of their expertise and the thoughtful way they allocated time for attendees to share first-hand experiences.”
Amy Rognsvoog, CPA, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
“The Champaign, Illinois Drive-In Workshop provided a convenient and cost-effective way to earn CPE credits and connect with local colleagues, all within close proximity to my home campus. Its affordability allowed me to extend the opportunity to everyone in my office. The sessions were both relevant and engaging, making it a valuable professional development experience. I highly recommend taking advantage of this accessible and budget-friendly event!”
Brent Rasmus, Controller, University of Illinois
“The CACUBO drive-in workshop at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign was a great experience! Having skilled accounting professionals with a wealth of knowledge come to our own backyard to present on a variety of interesting accounting topics (all while earning valuable CPE) was such a great opportunity. And in addition to the presentations, we were able to ask numerous questions throughout the event (both during and between sessions), which led to even more interesting conversations and learning opportunities. And this was all offered at bargain prices! I can’t recommend attending these events enough.”
John Laroe, Associate Controller, University of Illinois Accounting Services
“The Drive In Workshop was an economical and easy way for me to obtain professional development and to meet new colleagues. It was a great experience!”
Phillip McCarthy, University of Illinois

“Attending the CACUBO Two-Day Drive-In Educational Workshop was an incredibly worthwhile experience. Held right here in our own surroundings at the I-Hotel Conference Center, it offered a convenient and affordable opportunity to engage in professional development without leaving campus.
What made this workshop especially impactful was that several sessions were led by instructors who are familiar with the University of Illinois' systems and challenges. Their insights were tailored to our institutional context, making the content more relevant, practical, and immediately useful.
Equally valuable was the chance to interact with colleagues from other departments across the University of Illinois. These conversations fostered collaboration, sparked new ideas, and strengthened connections within our own university community.
With the added benefit of earning CPE credits and the flexibility to attend one or both days, this workshop is a must-attend for anyone looking to grow professionally and build stronger ties across campus.”
Brent Hettinger, Associate Director of Administrative Accounting, University of Illinois
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