Abbey Bales named NCAA vice president of accounting and insurance operations/controller

The NCAA has named Abbey Bales, a seasoned leader with a distinguished career in transforming and enhancing accounting operations, as vice president of accounting and insurance operations/controller. With 15 years of experience, Bales brings a wealth of accounting, financial reporting and compliance experience and has a proven track record of delivering excellence through building effective teams. 

Bales joins the NCAA from Cummins, where she held various leadership roles in accounting and finance for over a decade. Most recently, she served as the executive director of the Global Center of Accounting, driving the strategic vision for the accounting workstream of the $34 billion company and building a global accounting operation of over 125 accountants. Bales successfully enhanced accounting processes through standardization and automation, implementing technology solutions that increased the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization.

Before her tenure at Cummins, Bales worked in public accounting at EY in Indianapolis, serving as an auditor for public, private and nonprofit organizations.

“I am thrilled to join the NCAA and contribute to an organization that is deeply committed to the development and success of student-athletes,” Bales said. “My passion for driving excellence and integrity in accounting practices aligns perfectly with the NCAA’s focus. As someone who has always valued teamwork and transparency, I am excited to partner with the team to enhance accounting operations and drive financial clarity for all stakeholders.”

Bales’ dedication to continuous improvement and her ability to lead and inspire teams make her a valuable addition to the NCAA. Her collaborative approach has enabled her to partner extensively with a variety of stakeholders to identify and design solutions that support broader transformational change.

“We are thrilled to welcome Abbey Bales to the NCAA,” said Mario Morris, NCAA senior vice president of administration and chief financial officer. “Her extensive experience, strategic vision and commitment to excellence make her the ideal leader to drive our accounting and insurance functions forward. We are confident that her leadership will have a significant impact on our organization.”

NCAA President Charlie Baker said, “Abbey brings a strong track record of leading high-performing teams and driving strategic transformation. Her collaborative approach and innovative mindset make her the right person to lead this critical area.”

Bales holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Marian University in Indianapolis and is a certified public accountant. Bales will begin her job with the NCAA on April 21 and report directly to Morris.