Learn the purchasing process for state and local governments.

In a governmental environment, purchasing is a highly respected profession with high potential for advancement. Government purchasing professionals are responsible for obtaining materials, equipment, and services at the best overall value for their employer. To do so effectively, they must perform many crucial steps. These can include developing procurement strategies, writing specifications, reviewing supplier proposals, selecting suppliers, negotiating contracts, placing orders, and evaluating vendor performance. 

Snapshot

Format: Online

Hours: 13.8

Credits: 1.35 CEUs / 11.5 CPEs

When: Start anytime

Cost: $299 - $339

Register Now

Purchasing is an online, self-study training course developed by the University of Georgia. This 13.8-hour course will familiarize you with the purchasing process from determining your needs to receiving goods or services. You will learn about different methods of purchasing, proper supporting documentation, internal controls, and purchasing ethics. As you progress through each of the lessons, you will be challenged with self-test questions and interactive exercises. Online consultations with a financial professional can be scheduled on request.

In 11 lessons, you will learn:

  • Purchasing basics including qualifications of purchasing staff and the various roles of Purchasing
  • How laws and policies affect the purchasing process
  • Alternatives to organizing the purchasing function
  • Step-by-step purchasing process
  • Methods for obtaining competitively priced goods and services for your government
  • How the purchasing and accounts payable processes work together
  • Documentation necessary for an effective purchasing function
  • Alternative purchasing methods
  • Why purchasing ethics are important in a government

Who Should Attend?

  • Local government finance professionals and paraprofessionals who want to enhance their career skills and professional development opportunities.  (Georgia residents can use course credits for the Georgia Local Finance Officer Certification Program.)  
  • Accounting professionals who want to earn continuing professional education required for all CPAs.
  • Governmental professionals with previous private sector experience who want to gain governmental purchasing knowledge.
  • Many state licensing boards require that CPAs maintain and improve their skills through continuing professional education (CPE) courses. This course is approved by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).

Course Information

Course Number: 

0518-003

Course Date Info: 

Enroll at any time

  • Complete the courses required online quizzes and exercises within 60 days of receiving the course URL, username, and password information.
  • To complete this course, you will read the lessons and complete each lesson's exercises and self-tests. After the final lesson, you must successfully complete the final online assessment with a score of 70% or better.
  • For more details about the course, please click on the downloadable files titled, How Does Purchasing Work? and Frequently Asked Questions.

Course Format:
Field of Study: Finance
Delivery Method: QAS Self Study
Advance Preparation: None
Program Level: Basic
Prerequisites: None

Course Fee(s): 

$299 (US Funds) — Residents of Georgia
$339 (US Funds) — Non-residents of Georgia
$50 (US Funds) — One-Month Extension (Only one extension is granted per participant.)

Prepayment is required to be registered. Prices listed are per person. Prices are subject to change.

Cancellation/Refund Policy:
The Georgia Center will gladly issue full refunds for cancellations received in writing before the release of course access information. You may cancel your enrollment at any time during the course and receive a refund less a $50 administrative fee, provided that you have not accessed the online course material at all. Written requests should be sent to student@georgiacenter.uga.edu