Carrie Golston

Director, Financial Compliance

Professional Overview

Carrie Golston is an experienced financial compliance professional with a proven track record of driving operational excellence and ensuring regulatory adherence within the higher education sector. As the Director of Financial Compliance at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, she leverages her extensive expertise to oversee the institution's financial compliance initiatives, mitigating risk and optimizing financial processes.

Experience Summary

Current Role

As the Director of Financial Compliance at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Carrie is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive financial compliance strategies. She leads a team of compliance specialists in monitoring and enforcing adherence to federal, state, and institutional financial regulations, ensuring the medical center maintains the highest standards of financial integrity. Under her guidance, the department has achieved a 98% compliance rate, earning recognition from university leadership for its exemplary performance.

Career Progression

Carrie's career with Columbia University spans over a decade, during which she has consistently demonstrated her ability to take on increasing levels of responsibility. Prior to her current role, she served as the Associate Director of Financial Compliance, where she played a pivotal role in streamlining compliance processes and driving continuous improvement. Before that, she held positions as an Assistant Director and Finance Manager, steadily expanding her expertise in budgeting, grants management, and financial reporting.

Carrie's earlier professional experience includes roles at New York University, 1199 SEIU, and the International Planned Parenthood Federation, where she further honed her skills in financial management and compliance.

Academic Background

Carrie holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from New York University, where she graduated cum laude. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and maintains affiliations with the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA).

Areas of Expertise

Financial compliance and risk management

Budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting

Grants and restricted funds administration

Process improvement and operational optimization

Team leadership and strategic planning

Professional Impact

Throughout her career, Carrie has demonstrated a consistent commitment to driving positive impact within the higher education sector. Notable achievements include:

Spearheaded the implementation of a robust financial compliance monitoring system, resulting in a 98% compliance rate and recognition from university leadership.

Developed and delivered comprehensive training programs to educate finance and administrative staff on evolving financial regulations, enhancing institutional compliance.

Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline financial processes, reducing administrative burden and improving operational efficiency.

Served as a subject matter expert, providing guidance and support to university departments on complex financial compliance matters.

Conclusion

Carrie Golston is a seasoned financial compliance professional with a proven track record of excellence. In her current role as the Director of Financial Compliance at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, she continues to drive operational improvements, enhance financial integrity, and position the institution for long-term success. With her exceptional leadership abilities, technical expertise, and commitment to compliance, Carrie is poised to make a lasting impact within the higher education sector.