As we work through Module 3, providing the fundamental finance knowledge for supporting a successful world-class research university, it is crucial to start with the question, "what kind of financial management structure is necessary for a university to deliver on its academic and operational promises?" 

University financial administrators must know who is in charge of who, how decisions are made, and how tasks are delegated and completed within their finance department to ensure accountability and transparency runs through each kind of management channel so that business activities conform to meeting the university's mission and traditional ethical standards intrinsic in the academic community. Moreover, when all university finance members understand the construction of its workplace hierarchy, they are better equipped to engage in a well-versed dialogue of its financial operations with senior leadership and approach pressing decision-making dynamics with a creative perspective capable of navigating within or around established roles and protocols as necessary. When an institution's finance department is adequately structured and unified, it allows for strategic financial management that can implement robust operations. 

Although no one-size-fits-all financial management structure exists as the perfect higher education blueprint for future growth, Western research universities offer a range of finance structures that a university in transition could consider to improve its financial discipline and reach longer-term trajectory goals.