Ep. 3 - David Hoag (President, CCCU) - The CFO, the President, and Why Every Dollar Matters

David Hoag, president of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, was making $13,000 a year in admissions at Asbury when its CFO required 3% of every check for retirement; what he put in over nine years is now worth over $300,000. He has always worked at his relationship with the CFO, because presidents are only as good as the financial information they have. He and Bruce talk about stewarding every dollar, shared services, and the CCCU's fight in Washington. Takeaways Presidents are only as good as the financial information they have. Develop your relationship with the president, and "brutally tell the truth." "Every dollar matters." One faculty load report showed the cabinet that a nine-hour load instead of twelve meant $3,000 for another instructor. A budget gap can't simply become the annual fund goal. Take out non-repeatable gifts, like estate gifts, and work from a three-year average. The real savings come from sharing back-office systems like an LMS or ERP, over a million dollars, not from buying toilet paper together. Federal aid is often a school's biggest donor, and the earnings test could put Title IV at risk. Help your president bring lawmakers to campus. Chapters 00:00 Meet David Hoag 03:34 From Asbury admissions to the CCCU 07:18 The legendary CFO who said no 10:25 What CFOs carry that presidents don't 12:40 Only as good as the CFO's information 14:43 Compliance is not just the CFO's problem 16:31 Faith, stewardship, and the annual fund goal 18:41 Better together through shared services 23:35 Associations practicing what they preach 25:26 What the CCCU is doing in Washington 32:25 Every dollar matters 34:33 How the CCCU is in your corner 36:34 Build the relationship and tell the truth Guest: David Hoag, President of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (https://www.cccu.org) The ABACC Podcast is hosted by Bruce Hoeker, Executive Director of ABACC. Learn more at https://www.myabacc.org. Know someone who should be a guest? Email mailto:bruce@myabacc.org. Join us at the ABACC Annual Conference, February 14 to 18, 2027, in Orlando: https://www.myabacc.org/conference This episode is brought to you by CapinCrouse. Since 1972, CapinCrouse has served mission-focused nonprofits, churches, and Christian colleges, and today they work with more than 120 higher education institutions. Learn more at https://www.capincrouse.com.