About – Division of Finance | University of Pennsylvania

Overview

The Division of Finance is responsible for the centralized finance functions of the University. Its departments are essential to Penn’s financial management and ensure that financial resources are expertly stewarded, that financial policies are clear and consistently applied, and that faculty, staff, and students have access to funding needed to support their enrollment or perform their work.

The following offices are part of the Division of Finance. You can learn more about them using the links on the left side of this page.

Comptroller’s Office: Financial accounting, reporting, gift processing, and trust administration
Finance & Treasury: Banking relationships, incoming payments, capital management, and financial analysis
Financial Systems and Training: Information technology support, as well as training programs in financial processes, procedures, and systems
Global Support Services: Support for administrative and business functions of Penn’s global activity
Procurement Services: Supplier sourcing, purchasing, and disbursement activities
Office of Research Services: Grant and contract proposals, negotiations, and management
Office of Risk Management & Insurance: Insurance coverage, claims, and loss prevention
Student Registration and Financial Services: Student financial aid, billing, collections, and enrollment

Strategic Priorities

University Resource Stewardship: Protecting the integrity of University resources and ensuring members of the Penn community have the knowledge and skills to effectively manage their resources.

Customer Support and Community Collaboration: Delivering timely and helpful guidance and services to the Penn community and collaborating with them to champion their goals.

Engagement, Development, and Belonging: Fostering a diverse staff and work environment, with inclusive and authentic collaboration throughout the Division and with our partners.

Operational Excellence: Approaching work with an eye toward efficiency, innovation, and a mindset of continuous improvement in service of the Penn community.

Vice President for Finance and Treasurer

Mark Dingfield, PhD

Mark Dingfield joined the Division of Finance in 2022, where he serves as Vice President for Finance and Treasurer. In this role, Mark leads the finance functions of the University, including cash and short-term investment and capital financing strategies and multiyear financial planning efforts. He manages the strategic and operational direction of the Comptroller’s Office, Financial Systems and Training, Global Support Services, Research Services, Risk Management and Insurance, Student Registration and Financial Services and the Treasurer’s Office. He also collaborates closely with Penn Medicine leadership on its financial management and planning, and serves ex-officio on the Penn Medicine Board. Mark came to Penn in 2017 as Associate Provost for Finance and Planning, where he managed the Provost Administrative Affairs group and served as budget liaison between the Provost and Penn’s twelve schools. Prior to Penn, Mark was executive director for planning, analysis, and technology at Princeton University. Before his career in academia, Mark worked for Microsoft in the United Kingdom and in the U.S. on a range of multinational marketing and business initiatives.

Mark earned a BA in political science, with concentrations in public policy and German studies, from Swarthmore College. He earned an MSc with distinction in European public policy from the London School of Economics and a PhD in political science from Temple University. In addition to his role at Penn, Mark is a member of the board of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).