Working as an internal auditor generally means keeping tabs on parts of the University in an effort to avoid financial problems.

But sometimes the job of an auditor is more difficult. Auditors in Barone's office, for example, were called in last summer to assess the damage after thousands of dollars were found to be missing from the accounts of Evening With Champions, the Eliot House ice skating charity.

In a tough job, Barone's team approach helps make the office a good place to work, Casarano says.

"He tries to make it a team approach and get the entire department involved," Casarano says. "He's a fair boss. He's always willing to debate and enjoys a lively discussion."

Barone says he considers cooperation a good management practice and essential to the success of the department.

"You need to work together. You need to be in sync with one another. You need to help one another. You need to try to achieve your goals, I think, together," Barone says." I think that provides a certain incentive, more of a satisfaction and helps you to be more effective."

For the self-described, happily married, "wonderful father of two," life after he leaves his fifth floor Holyoke Center office focuses on his family, particularly his wife of nearly 12 years, Mary, and their two children, John, 6, and Christie, 4.

"I have a great family and a terrific wife," Barren says. "I think I have a terrific family and friends support structure."

He says his free time is limited by the hours he devotes to work, but the time he does have is spent with his family.

"I tend to have a full time-plus schedule, and then I go home and play with the kids," he says.

In fact, Barone helped coach his son's basketball team last season.

"Mainly that, and playing and attending an occasional sporting event," Barone says. "Nothing wild and crazy."

The auditor also devotes a great deal of time to related professional organizations."

He serves as the chair of the governmental affairs committee of the Association of College and University Auditors.

"I'm sort of their eyes and ears on what's bubbling on the federal front, particularly in the area of sponsored research," he says.