Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Languages
Interests
Timeline
Certification
Generic

Karis Wolfe

Bruceton Mills,WV

Summary

Strategic and results-driven finance executive with deep expertise leading enterprise-wide budgeting, financial planning, and operational performance across complex higher education and academic health sciences institutions. Proven ability to manage large, multi-campus financial portfolios—including $140M+ operating budgets, $190M+ all-funds budgets, and multi-year capital plans exceeding $90M—while advising executive leadership on long-range financial direction, resource optimization, and institutional priorities. Recognized for strengthening financial systems, enhancing internal controls, and building sustainable financial models that support academic, research, and clinical missions. Adept at translating complex financial data into clear, actionable strategies that drive institutional resilience, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

Overview

2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate

Work History

Chief Business Planning Officer & Assistant Dean, Business & Finance

West Virginia University Medicine – School of Nursing
Morgantown
12.2014 - Current
  • Serve as the School of Nursing’s chief financial strategist, providing enterprise-level leadership across all funds, campuses, and financial operations. Advise the Dean and executive leadership on long-range financial planning, resource allocation, and fiscal policy to support academic, research, and clinical priorities.
  • Lead all-funds budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and financial operations in alignment with university, state, federal, grant, and foundation requirements.
  • Oversee financial performance, conduct variance and risk analyses, and implement corrective strategies to maintain financial stability.
  • Manage reserves, cash flow, investments, capital planning, and major equipment/IT/facilities expenditures to ensure optimal financial positioning.
  • Strengthen financial systems and reporting tools to improve data integrity, transparency, and decision-making.
  • Direct purchasing operations, procurement card compliance, internal audits, and adherence to state, federal, grant, and foundation expenditure guidelines.
  • Develop multi-year business plans, financial forecasts, ROI analyses, and feasibility studies to support new programs and enrollment growth.
  • Oversee financial administration and compliance for multi-million-dollar grant projects.

Finance and Business Administrator

West Virginia University – Health Sciences Center
12.2012 - 12.2014
  • Directed annual operating and capital budgeting processes for a $140M+ operating budget, $190M+ all-funds budget, and a $90M+ five-year capital plan.
  • Built enterprise-level financial models, forecasting tools, and executive dashboards to guide strategic decision-making and long-range planning.
  • Led monthly financial performance reviews, conducting variance analyses, identifying risks, and recommending corrective actions to safeguard financial stability.
  • Developed business plans, financial models, and chargeback frameworks to support new initiatives, program expansion, and strategic personnel recruitment.
  • Designed and maintained financial reporting tools across Oracle, Banner, Excel, Access, and third-party platforms to strengthen data integrity and operational efficiency.
  • Analyzed tuition and fee trends and produced seasonal revenue projections to inform enrollment strategy and institutional planning.
  • Conducted personnel roster analyses and aligned position budgets to ensure accurate staffing models and long-term financial sustainability.

Financial Management Analyst

West Virginia University – Health Sciences Center, Accounting & Reporting
05.2011 - 12.2012
  • Delivered high-value decision-support analyses for senior leadership, informing financial strategy across state, university, and affiliated funding sources.
  • Oversaw procurement card operations and compliance for HSC General Services and the School of Medicine.
  • Managed reconciliation and payment of major institutional expenditures, including utilities, leases, resident support programs, and consulting contracts.
  • Produced monthly budget-to-actual performance reports for the WVU Charleston Division.
  • Conducted personnel roster and salary-source analyses to support budget forecasting and workforce planning.
  • Ensured accurate and timely deposits across all HSC departments, maintaining strong internal controls and cash-handling compliance.

Tax Accountant

West Virginia University – Payroll, Tax & Employee Data Services
04.2008 - 05.2011
  • Prepared and submitted quarterly and annual state tax filings across six states.
  • Audited W-2 data for ~19,000 employees to ensure accurate wage and tax reporting.
  • Reconciled and remitted WVU consumer sales tax; managed 1099-MISC compilation and IRS submission.
  • Interpreted IRS regulations to determine FICA exemption eligibility for 8,000+ student workers and non-resident alien employees.
  • Supported payroll funding processes and reconciled stale-dated checks using Oracle and state systems.
  • Cross-trained across Tax Services, Payroll, and Employee Data Services.

Financial Operations Assistant

Clear Mountain Bank
WV
  • Managed client savings accounts and provided front-office financial support.

Accounting Supervisor

Association of Negros Producers, Inc.
Philippines
  • Managed payroll, daily sales audits, and monthly financial reporting.

Accounting Assistant

Lopue’s San Sebastian Corporation
Philippines
  • Managed supplier accounts, processed payments, assisted with payroll for 400+ employees, and conducted inventory audits.

Education

MBA - Business Administration

West Virginia University
Morgantown
05-2015

Bachelor of Science - Management Accounting

University of Saint La Salle
Bacolod, Philippines
03-1999

Skills

  • Enterprise Budgeting & Forecasting
  • All-Funds Financial Management
  • Capital Planning & Reserves Strategy
  • Tuition & Fee Modeling
  • Multi-Campus Financial Operations
  • Internal Controls & Compliance
  • Strategic Resource Allocation
  • Executive Decision Support
  • Financial Modeling & Analytics
  • Workday, Oracle

Accomplishments

  • Increased the school’s fiscal year budget by 35% and tripled the fund balance through targeted financial efficiencies, strengthened controls, and improved operational performance.
  • Boosted overall enrollment by 48% and increased tuition and fee revenues by 180% across all campuses by developing sustainable financial models, optimizing resource allocation, and supporting strategic program growth.

Affiliations

  • Chair-Elect, Chair, and Past-Chair, American Association of Colleges of Nursing - Business Officers of Nursing Schools (AACN BONUS)(2020–2024)
  • Communications Chair, AACN Business Officers of Nursing Schools (2018–2020)
  • Golden Key International Honour Society

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual
Tagalog
Native or Bilingual
Ilonggo
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working

Interests

Gardening, hiking, singing, cooking, traveling, watching performing arts

Timeline

Chief Business Planning Officer & Assistant Dean, Business & Finance

West Virginia University Medicine – School of Nursing
12.2014 - Current

Finance and Business Administrator

West Virginia University – Health Sciences Center
12.2012 - 12.2014

Financial Management Analyst

West Virginia University – Health Sciences Center, Accounting & Reporting
05.2011 - 12.2012

Tax Accountant

West Virginia University – Payroll, Tax & Employee Data Services
04.2008 - 05.2011

Financial Operations Assistant

Clear Mountain Bank

Accounting Supervisor

Association of Negros Producers, Inc.

Accounting Assistant

Lopue’s San Sebastian Corporation

MBA - Business Administration

West Virginia University

Bachelor of Science - Management Accounting

University of Saint La Salle

Certification

  • American Association of Colleges of Nursing - Business Officers of Nursing Schools (AACN BONUS)
  • National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA)
  • National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)
  • Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO)