Re-Imagining Finance Engagement in 2026

Good things ahead in 2026!

As we begin 2026, UVAFinance is strengthening our approach to engaging with finance professionals across Grounds. This refreshed model builds on a few core truths that guide our work:

• Fiscal stewardship is a shared responsibility between UVAFinance and units across Grounds.
• Cross-unit expertise and perspectives strengthen our decisions, our processes, and our ability to solve problems.
• Clarity, transparency, and timely action are essential in a decentralized environment like ours.

In 2025, we took important steps to enhance engagement through regular meetings with the Finance Advisory Network (FAN) and Fiscal Administrators (FAs), as well as through ongoing communication channels, including blog digests, targeted emails, office hours, and more. This year, we’re expanding and refining that structure to better match the needs of our community.

A 3-Tier Engagement Strategy for a More Connected Finance Community

In 2026, we’re moving to a three-tiered engagement framework designed to support collaboration at every level—strategic, operational, and frontline. Each tier contributes unique experience and expertise and plays an essential role in how we move the work of finance forward together.

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1. Finance Advisory Network (FAN): Strategic, MBU-Level Perspective

FAN remains our highest-level advisory group, composed of one senior financial officer from each major business unit (MBU). FAN members:

• Collaborate with UVAFinance to shape strategic priorities for the University’s finance community.
• Provide MBU-level input on institution-wide initiatives.
• Identify cross-MBU needs and opportunities.

Their insight ensures that big-picture planning reflects the realities and priorities of schools and units across Grounds.

2. NEW!  Department Finance Partners: Bridging Strategy and Implementation

New for 2026 is a middle layer of engagement: Department Finance Partners. This group fills a crucial gap between the strategy work completed by FAN and the operational implementation of Fiscal Administrators. 

Representatives from MBUs will participate based on functional expertise (procurement, payroll, budget, and more), allowing units to include more than one member.

This group’s role includes:

• Testing and refining solutions with UVAFinance ahead of institution-wide rollouts.
• Providing expert feedback on operational feasibility, implementation impacts, and readiness.
• Serving as change champions to support adoption within their units.

Their work will strengthen the bridge between high-level priorities and day-to-day operations across Grounds.

3. Fiscal Administrators (FAs): Turning Ideas Into Action

Fiscal Administrators—our largest engagement group—continue to be the backbone of UVA’s financial operations. This group includes finance administrators across Grounds, as well as other stakeholders who want to stay engaged in finance activities and the community.

FAs:

• Implement initiatives developed by UVAFinance, FAN, and the Department Finance Partners.
• Provide essential frontline feedback that enhances processes and supports success across Grounds.

This group keeps our financial operations running smoothly and ensures that decisions made at higher levels translate effectively into practice.

Supporting All Three Tiers

To help every group succeed, we’re strengthening the “infrastructure” of engagement:

• Hybrid meeting opportunities will be offered across all tiers to ensure access, flexibility, and connection.
• Engagement guides and manuals are being developed to clarify roles, expectations, and time commitments for each tier.
• A listening tour is underway with MBUs to help shape flexible engagement structures tailored to unit-specific needs.

UVAFinance will be collecting feedback throughout the year to help us refine the model and ensure it supports the full range of MBU needs. 

2026 Focus Areas

• Procurement Transformation
• HVA Health Workday Implementation Support
• Fiscal Stewardship
• Anaplan implementation

While we’re still working with our MBU partners on some of the finer points, the new framework is already in place. You can explore a side-by-side comparison of the three engagement groups, along with the full 2026 meeting schedule, on our Finance Community Engagement page:

👉 Meetings & Resources for 2026