As our university continues to evolve, we are preparing for a major transition with the upcoming Financial Management Modernization (FMM) program. This initiative will bring significant changes to financial systems and processes across campus, impacting systems such as Gateway, Concur, and UCPath. These updates are necessary to accommodate the new Common Chart of Accounts and integrate with new tools being implemented. While these enhancements will improve our financial management capabilities, they will require adjustments for all departments.

What to Expect

  • All impacted systems will experience some downtime, cutoffs, or preparation activities during the cutover period, beginning in late May and continuing through July. We strongly encourage you to utilize the cutover calendar on the FMM website to stay informed about system availability and plan accordingly to minimize disruptions.
  • Given the critical nature of these system changes, some training will be required for staff to gain access to new and remediated systems. Ensuring your team completes the necessary training this spring will be vital to maintaining business continuity.
  • Alongside FMM, several other campuswide initiatives, including Secure UCSB, Timekeeping Refresh, and UCPath updates, are also in progress and may impact your department.
  • It is essential to stay up to date on these changes and understand how they may affect your department's operations and staff time. We will continue to share updates on the FMM website, through email, and at monthly town halls to help you prepare. 
     

How You Can Support Your Staff

This transition will require patience, preparation, and collaboration. Your support will be instrumental in helping your teams navigate these changes effectively. Here’s how you can contribute:

  • Ensure your department is ready for these changes by staying informed and preparing in advance.
  • Read and share relevant communications to keep your team aware of key updates.
  • Attend information sessions and training opportunities when offered, and encourage your staff to do the same.
  • Utilize resources like our readiness guide when available to facilitate smooth adoption.
  • Allocate sufficient time for staff to participate in training and adjust to the new systems.
  • Foster a culture of support by creating networks within divisions to share knowledge and resources.

Patience and Understanding During the Transition

We recognize that learning a new system and new processes takes time and effort. Please be patient with your staff as they undergo training and gain proficiency with these new tools. Some key considerations include:

  • The fiscal close process will look different this year, requiring adjustments from all involved. Business & Financial Services has shared important deadlines and detailed instructions for this year’s fiscal close processes with financial staff.
  • During the cutover period, some systems will be temporarily offline, which may affect normal operations.
  • While we are proactively planning for this transition, some challenges are inevitable. Your patience and understanding will be essential in supporting your staff through any delays or temporary disruptions.
     

Our staff is one of our greatest resources, and they will need your support, encouragement, and flexibility during this transition. Providing assistance, coverage, and a positive environment will be crucial to ensuring a successful implementation.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to making this transition as seamless as possible. Please continue to stay informed and engaged as we move forward together. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to subscribe to the FMM mailing list to ensure you receive information about training, cutover, and campus impacts.