Business Office

Administrative Office

The Business Office, led by Kenneth Tirino, Vice President for Finance and Administration, oversees the Graduate Center’s fiscal management, including all accounting, reporting, and budgeting.

Our Goals

Provide financial management leadership for, and influence the strategic direction of, the Graduate Center by ensuring that relevant, accurate, and timely information and strategic advice is provided to decision-makers.
Ensure the prudent use of Graduate Center resources by setting and maintaining financial management policies and procedures and ensuring the Graduate Center adheres to both CUNY and state policies and procedures.
Serve as an effective financial steward for the Graduate Center by protecting and preserving its assets through prudent financial risk management, maintenance of accurate financial records, and compliance with regulations.
Serve as a catalyst to instill a sound financial management mindset throughout the Graduate Center and act as a business partner in planning, implementing, leading, and supporting strategic initiatives.

The Business Office is comprised of four offices:

Accounting

The Accounting Office, led by the controller, Althea Harewood, maintains the financial integrity of the Graduate Center and Related Entities. The Accounting office oversees all Accounts Payable, Travel and Expense reimbursements, reconciliations, analyses, banking, and reporting for all activities except those handled through the Bursar Office.

The Accounting Office oversees all accounting activities related to: Adult Continuing Education (ACE); Graduate Center Foundation; Doctoral and Graduate Students’ Council (DGSC); Child and Early Learning Center; The Graduate Center General Fund (formerly known as: CUNY Endowment Investment Pool/Business Office Account/QChart/Miscellaneous Expenses).

Learn more about Accounting

Budget

The Budget Office, led by Budget Director Finney Joshua, plans and allocates financial and physical resources and provides analysis to enhance Graduate Center decision-making, planning, and policy formation.

Learn more about the Budget Office

Bursar

The Bursar’s Office, led by Finance Director/Bursar Dharvendra Kanhai, is responsible for processing and recording student tuition and fee payments, issuing refunds, distribution of fellowship checks, and the disbursement of employee paychecks.

Learn more about the Bursar

Purchasing

The Purchasing (Procurement) Office, led by Purchasing Director Ronald Paynter, assists various Graduate Center departments in efficiently securing goods and services.

Learn more about Purchasing/Procurement

Fiscal Year 2023 Year-End Closing Activities and Deadlines

FY23 Year-End Closing Activities and Deadlines

As we prepare for the end of Fiscal Year 23, it is important that departments and programs review and reconcile their ledgers, verify that all payment requestions, invoices, travel expenses, and payroll transactions pertaining to FY23 have been recorded accurately and any necessary corrections have been made and posted. Timely submission of CUNYfirst receipts ensures the timely processing of payments to our vendors. With the implementation of CUNYBuy, it is important to submit new vendor requests as soon as you are aware of a new vendor to allow sufficient time to have the vendor set up in the CUNYBuy system and avoid any year-end cutoff issues.

Please keep in mind that global supply chain issues remain ongoing and may impact the timing of receiving goods ordered in FY23. Given the potential for product delays and/or delivery delays, we encourage departments to place orders for goods no later than Tuesday, March 28, to ensure all goods are received by the Friday, June 30, 2023 deadline. Any goods or services ordered in FY23 that are received or performed after Friday, June 30 will be charged to the departments or units FY24 budget allocation.

Fiscal Year 2023 Year-End Deadlines:
Deadline	Task Name
Tuesday, March 28 at 5:00 pm	Last day to submit requestions in CUNYfirst.
Tuesday, May 16 at 5:00 pm	Pending requisitions without supporting documentation will be reduced.
Thursday, June 1 at 5:00 pm	Purchasing cards (P-cards) will be closed.
Thursday, June 1 at 5:00 pm	All open requisitions for supplies will be closed. After June 15^th, the Business Office will not resume Proftech orders until the FY24 budget allocations are approved and the University has set a reopening date for the campuses.
Thursday, June 15 at 5:00 pm	Last day to submit CUNYBuy (Proftech/Grainger) orders
Thursday June 15 at 5:00 pm	Visitor travel reimbursements are due.
Tuesday, June 20 at 5:00 pm	Travel and expense reports are due.
Friday, June 30 at 5:00 pm	Last day to receive goods or services (i.e. supplies and equipment orders) for FY23 whether shipped to the GC or remote work location. All good must be inspected and “receipted” within five business days.
Friday, July 7 at 5:00 pm	Last day to enter receipts and submit invoices to Accounts Playable.
Friday, July 7 at 5:00 pm	Last day for expense reports to be input and approved in CUNYfirst.
Friday, July 7 at 5:00 pm	Last day to reconcile P-cards.
Friday, July 14 at 5:00 pm	Last day to approve and pay CUNY contract vouchers.

Contact Us

Hours of Operation

The Business Office is open for in-person assistance Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For Inquiries or Help please contact:

Academic Programs question on budget allocation: Steven Wong in the Provost Office
Setting up a vendor in CUNYBuy: Deborah Molina or Ron Paynter
Help with an invoice, reimbursement requests, or payment requests: Angella Bowley. If you do not hear from Angella within 48 hours, please contact Althea Harewood.
Purchasing questions: Maurice Wynter or Ron Paynter.

After taking these steps, if you have not received any responses within 4 business days, please reach out to Kenneth Tirino.

VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS

We are excited to offer a new medium to help improve customer service throughout the Graduate Center Community, students, faculty, and staff can join any of the following Virtual Office Hours to ask questions.

Purchasing/Procurement: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. through June 30, 2023. Zoom Link

Accounting/Accounts Payable: Every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. through June 30, 2023. Zoom Link

Budget: Last Tuesday of every month from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Spring 2023 semester: 2/28, 3/28, 4/25, 5/23, 6/27). Zoom Link

Bursar: Last Tuesday of every month from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Spring 2023 semester: 2/28, 3/28, 4/25, 5/23, 6/27). Zoom Link

Kenneth Tirino: Last Tuesday of every month from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Spring Semester: 2/28, 3/28, 4/25, 5/30, 6/27). Zoom Link

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Get The Help You’re Looking For

Our resource hub — which contains key policies, forms, and instructions — empowers the Graduate Center community to make sound and efficient use of the GC’s institutional financial resources.

Browse the resource hub

GC Building Entrance Canopy Flags Version 3 08/27/2021

Enhancing Our Financial Transparency

The Business Office is committed to transparency in the compilation, consolidation, and review of plans and budgets. This ensures that academic and administrative leaders across the Graduate Center can play an active, collaborative role in the strategic decision-making process.

See Financial Reports