This spotlight focuses on data from the 2013 CDS to better understand how higher education institutions approach financial management systems. Information provided for this spotlight was derived from Module 8 of Core Data Service (CDS), which asked several questions regarding information systems and applications. Responses from 525 institutions were analyzed. Only U.S. institutions with a designated Carnegie Classification (AA, BA, MA, or DR) were analyzed for this report. In addition, we interviewed four subject-matter experts to gain insights about the current and future state of financial management systems in higher education. The EDUCAUSE Center for Analysis and Research (ECAR) CDS Spotlight Research Bulletin Series highlights findings from the EDUCAUSE Core Data Service, focusing on a small but meaningful slice of data collected in the CDS. These selected highlights are intended to provide context and meaning for CDS benchmarks that may be of especially broad interest, be especially timely, or draw connections between research from ECAR and CDS. The series is featured along with other CDS publications on the CDS website and is now available to eligible ECAR subscribers as part of the ECAR subscription.