By Jessica Wyble
Cost centers. 1074 reports. Balance sheets.
While these words might be confusing, fear-inducing or completely foreign to some, to Darryl Robertson, the new and first-ever financial analyst for the Office of Administration, they are just some of the everyday tools of the trade.
Hired in late 2017 to help the various areas within the Office of Administration better understand and manage their budgets, Robertson knew he first had to learn the dynamics of the group’s business model.
“Before now, my exposure to the University and government accounting was limited to the experience I gained while working for the Division of Research as a level-two accountant,” said Robertson. “The funding and functions for that group are totally different when compared to this one. The Office of Administration has revenue-generating entities, while the Division of Research relies solely on money acquired through patents, state and federal funds.”
While some might shy away from such a change of pace and structure, Robertson embraces it. In fact, it’s one of the reasons he sought out this role in the first place.
“I need to be challenged,” he said. “I don’t want to become stagnant.”
That same mentality is actually what landed the Louisiana-born Robertson in Houston back in 2014. Originally from Baton Rouge, Robertson, who holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, set his sights on the Bayou City shortly after earning his master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in organizational leadership from Louisiana State University. Armed with his new degree, Robertson made a move to New Orleans to work for a CPA firm. It was there where he realized life moved just a little faster than it did in his hometown, and he liked it. Houston just seemed like the natural next step.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love my hometown and state,” said Robertson. “But Houston seemed like the next big thing. I knew there would be lots of opportunity here, plus it’s not too far from home, which makes visiting and staying in touch easy.”
Robertson’s address isn’t the only thing that’s changed over the years. While amassing nearly a decade’s worth of experience, he’s worn a variety of hats ranging from senior accountant to senior financial analyst. This myriad of roles in both the public and private sectors has helped him transform into the well-versed financial professional he is today.
“When it comes to an organization’s money, I can see the whole picture,” he said. “I look at the data, I analyze the transactions and ask questions to find out why things are the way they are.”
There’s so much more to Robertson, though, than numbers. At his core, he has the heart of a teacher.
“If I could go back in time to undergrad, my major would have been different. I would have been a history major and would probably be a history teacher right now,” said the self-proclaimed history nerd.
However, although he chose a different path, Robertson still finds himself educating others on a daily basis, as he works to teach the various managers and directors he supports how to better understand their operations’ budgets. He shows them how to pull the right reports, examine the line items and really ask the right questions.
“Ultimately, my goal is to empower the leaders within the Office of Administration,” he said.
A true people person with a zest for adventure, Robertson spends his days away from the office binge-watching his favorite shows, spending time with loved ones and traveling. In fact, he’s currently in the process of planning his first overseas trip, slated to take place sometime this summer.