Intermediate Budget – Online| Self-Study

About this course

Learning objectives

Lesson 1 — The Context of Local Government Budgeting

• Explain the difference between budgeting in government and private sectors
• Define “budget structure” and recognize different options of structuring a budget
• Recall how environmental factors impact public budgeting

Lesson 2 — Performance Measurement

• Understand how performance measures can benefit governments
• Distinguish between performance measurement and performance measures
• Explain how performance measures should be linked to budgets
• Recall the types of performance management methods
• Be able to recognize sources for performance measurement data

Lesson 3 — Revenue Analysis and Forecasting

• Explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative forecasting methods
• Recall the basic considerations governments should make when deciding how to pay for services
• Summarize the importance of revenue diversification
• List the types of local government revenue

Lesson 4 — Property Taxes

• Summarize the advantages of property taxes
• List the key players in property tax and millage setting process
• Define millage rate and explain how it is used
• Distinguish state and local role in property tax process
• List the possible legal requirements of the property tax process

Lesson 5 — Expenditure Analysis and Forecasting

• List the components that should be examined when forecasting operating expenditures
• Summarize the factors to consider when budgeting for the replacement/acquisition of capital assets
• Explain the importance of long-range planning and making the analysis of non-current liabilities part of the annual budget process

Lesson 6 — Communicating the Budget and the Budget Document

• Explain the purpose of the budget document
• List different ways the budget document may be communicated
• Understand the requirements of the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program

Lesson 7 — Monitoring the Budget

• Summarize methods to diagnose and manage fiscal distress
• Explain the importance of budgetary monitoring

Who should attend?

• Local governmental employees who require knowledge of the local government budget process.
• Local government employees who seek to meet requirements of the Local Government Finance Officer Certification Program offered through the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
• Professionals with private sector experience who want to gain knowledge of the governmental budgeting process.
• Accounting professionals preparing for the CPA exam or seeking continuing professional education.

Continuing Education Information

The University of Georgia will award 1.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or 14.4 CPEs upon successful completion of this course.

A University of Georgia CEU transcript is available at any time upon written request.