Intermediate Budget is an online, self-study course developed by the University of Georgia for government employees. The course will show you how to develop a budget and use it as a policy document, communications device, financial plan, and management tool.

Snapshot

Format: Online

Hours: 12

Credits: 1.2 CEUs / 14.4 CPEs

When: Start anytime

Cost: $299 - $339

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The course uses interactive media to enhance your learning experience. You can complete the course at your own pace, on your own schedule. 

You will learn:

  • How budgeting is different in the public sector
  • Different methods of performance measurement
  • How to analyze and forecast both revenues and expenditures
  • How to communicate the budget to interested parties
  • How to monitor the budget once adopted

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

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

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.

Course Information

Course Number: 

0517-004

Course Date Info: 
  • Enroll at any time.
  • Complete the course's required online quizzes and exercises within 30 days of receiving the "Welcome" email with course URL, username and password information.
  • To complete this course, you will read the lessons and complete each lesson's exercises and quizzes. At the conclusion of the final lesson, you must also successfully complete an online final examination with a score of 70% or better.
  • View Frequently Asked Questions for more details about the course.
Course format: 

Online

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 prior to 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. During the first 10 days of your course, if you have not completed any course work, you may opt for a one-time transfer of your enrollment to another student for a fee of $50; the new student (i.e., substitute) would have up to thirty days from the transfer date to complete the course. A course may be transferred only once for a fee of $50. Written requests should be sent to student@georgiacenter.uga.edu