Training SeminarsNote: Training seminars are listed alphabetically within category (i.e, accounting, budgeting, cash management, debt management, management & policy, pension & benefits, technology) Accounting, Auditing, and Financial ReportingAccounting Academy: An Intensive Introduction to Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting Course Level: Introductory CPE credits: 40 5 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., all five days View current GFOA training schedule
Who Will Benefit Accountants and auditors new to the public sector.
Program Overview
Accountants and auditors new to the public sector must immediately face the daunting challenge of mastering the highly specialized rules, guidelines, and practices applicable to state and local governments. This intensive five-day workshop, intended for those who already possess at least a basic knowledge of private-sector accounting, combines lecture, discussion, and exercises to help newcomers make this difficult, but essential transition.
Advance Preparation
None
Seminar Objectives
Those who successfully complete this seminar should be ablew to: - Explain the unique aspects of the governmental environment that have led to specialized accounting and financial reporting
- Identify the appropriate generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
- Categorize transactions and events as exchange, exchange-like, or nonexchange
- Select the appropriate fund to use to account for a given function or activity
- Categorize the various types of interfund activity
- Apply modified accrual accounting to activities reported in governmental funds
- Apply accrual accounting as modified for use in the public sector
- Identify each of the basic financial statements
- Identify the format and contents of mandated budgetary comparisons
- Identify the basic sections of a comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) and the essential components of each
- Interpret the basic financial statements
- Identify the essential elements of a comprehensive framework of internal control
- Identify key differences between auditing in the public and private sectors (e.g., Single Audit and “Yellow Book” audits)
Registration Fees GFOA member: $1,360 Nonmember: $1,885
Accounting for Pensions and Other Postemployment Benefits No prerequisite
Course Level: Advanced CPE Credits: 8
1 Day
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit
Finance professionals involved, either directly or indirectly, with accounting and financial reporting for a pension plan or an other postemployment benefit (OPEB) plan, or for a governmental employer that provides such benefits.
Program
The seminar is designed to equip participants with a solid working knowledge of accounting and financial reporting for both pensions and OPEB (i.e., postemployment benefits) It also offers practical guidance on how to prepare a comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for a public employee retirement system (PERS).
Advance Preparation
None
Seminar Objectives
Those who successfully complete the seminar should be able to:
- Define the key accounting and actuarial terms used in connection with postemployment benefits
- Determine the appropriate measure of cost for employers offering postemployment benefits under a variety of arrangements
- Distinguish actuarial liabilities from accounting liabilities
- Identify each of the acceptable actuarial cost allocation methods
- Identify the essential required disclosures for employers that offer postemployment benefits
- Identify the essntial components of each of the five major sections of a PERS CAFR (i.e., introductory, financial, actuarial, investment, and statistical).
- Identify the essential components of schedules of required supplementary information
- Determine the appropriate measure of cost for termination benefits
Recommended Reading
An Elected Official’s Guide: Employer’s Accounting for Pensions and Other Post-employment Benefits (OPEB)
An Elected Official's Guide to Public Retirement Plans
2005 Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting (Chapter 15, “States and Certain Special-purpose Governments,” pages 332-351)
Registration Fees
GFOA member: $370 Nonmember: $550
TOP
Accounting and Financial Reporting for Capital Assets No prerequisite Course Level: Introductory CPE Credits: 8
1 Day
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
View current GFOA training schedule
Who Will Benefit
Mid- to senior-level government finance officers, property accountants, and others responsible for developing or maintaining capital asset records.
Program
The seminar will furnish participants with the basic information needed to properly account for capital assets and report them in financial statements prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Advance preparation
None
Seminar Objectives
Those who successfully complete this seminar should be able to: - Identify the basic information requirements for a capital asset management system
- Make appropriate journal entries for capital assets under both the economic resources and the current financial resources measurement focus
- Identify the major capital asset classes and the specific types of capital assets properly included in each
- Distinguish costs that should be capitalized from those that should not
- Determine the value at which capital assets should be reported
- Identify and calculate capital asset impairments
- Properly depreciate or amortize capital assets
- Prepare financial statements that conform to the display and disclosure requirements of GAAP for capital assets
- Identify the essential elements of system design for a capital asset management system, including specific policies related to capital assets
- Identify the essential elements of a successful physical inventory.
Recommended Reading
None
Registration Fees
GFOA member: $370 Nonmember: $550
TOP
Accounting and Financial Reporting for Enterprise Funds and Stand-Alone Business-Type Activities No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate CPE Credits: 8 1 Day 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. View current GFOA training schedule
Who Will Benefit
Accountants and auditors whose professional responsibilities, either directly or indirectly, involve accounting and financial reporting for enterprise funds and stand-alone business-type activities.
Program
This seminar examines both accounting and financial reporting for enterprise funds and business-type activities. Because such activities generally follow the same standards used in the private sector, the accounting section of the program focuses exclusively on transactions and accounting treatments that are unique to the public sector. The financial reporting portion of the program then examines in detail the format and contents of a comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) of a stand-alone business-type activity.
Advance Preparation
None
Seminar Objectives
Those who successfully complete this seminar should be able to: - Describe practical differences between private-sector businesses and public-sector business-type activities
- Identify transactions for which accounting and financial reporting standards differ between the private and public sectors
- Calculate capitalizable interest, including situations involving projects financed by tax-exempt debt and grants
- Calculate capital asset impairments
- Perform basic journal entries for a debt refinancing
- Determine the cost of pensions and other postemployment benefits (OPEB)
- Classify cash flows
- Perform basic journal entries for tap fees, impact fees, and developer contributions
- Report interfund activity
- Explain how regulatory accounting differs from regular accounting and when its use is appropriate in the public sector
- Identify the basic sections of a CAFR for a business-type activity and the key components of each
Recommended Reading
Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting (GAAFR): Using the GASB 34 Model (Chapter 6)
Registration Fees
GFOA member: $370 Nonmember: $550
TOP
Advanced Financial Reporting for Governments Prerequisite: Intermediate Governmental Accounting or its equivalent Course Level: Advanced CPE Credits: 20 2.5 days 1st and 2nd day: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 3rd day: 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
View current GFOA training schedule
Who Will Benefit
Accounting and financial reporting professionals who have prepared, or wish to be able to prepare, a comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).
Program
Participants will examine in detail the format and contents of a CAFR prepared in accordance with both generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and the program requirements of the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program. Note: This program is an expanded form of the GFOA’s one-day seminar on Preparing a CAFR.
Advance Preparation
None
Seminar Objectives
Those who successfully complete the seminar should be able to: -
Identify the three basic sections of a CAFR and the essential components of each -
Differentiate basic financial statements, required supplementary information, and other supplementary information within a CAFR -
Identify the basic elements of a letter of transmittal -
Identify the appropriate elements to include in management’s discussion and analysis -
Format each of the basic financial statements -
Classify data in each of the basic financial statements -
Format combining and individual fund statements -
Properly apply commonly misunderstood note disclosure requirements -
Prepare required statistical presentations
Note: It is recommended that attendees bring a copy of the GFOA’s 2005 Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting: Using the GASB 34 Model, to the seminar with them.
Recommended Reading
2005 Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting: Using the GASB 34 Model (Chapters 10, 11, and 13).
Registration Fees
GFOA member: $685 Nonmember: $865 TOP
Advanced Governmental Accounting Prerequisite: Intermediate Governmental Accounting or its equivalent Course Level: Advanced CPE Credits: 20 2.5 Days 1st and 2nd day: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 3rd day: 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit Accounting and financial reporting professionals with at least two years of experience, or who have attended the GFOA’s Intermediate Governmental Accounting seminar or an equivalent program.
Program
This two-and-one-half-day seminar provides a detailed examination of selected governmental accounting topics. Emphasis throughout is placed on the practical application of generally accepted accounting principles.
Advance Preparation
None
Seminar Objectives
Those who successfully complete this seminar should be able to: - Perform basic journal entries for the issuance, repayment, and refinancing of debt;
- Determine when grant revenue should be recognized;
- Perform basic journal entries for investments;
- Determine the annual cost of compensated absences;
- Determine the appropriate measure of cost for employers offering pension and other postemployment benefits (OPEB) under a variety of arrangements, as well as termination benefits;
- Perform basic journal entries for risk financing activities;
- Account for the acquisition, improvement, impairment, and disposal of capital assets, including intangibles;
- Distinguish sales of future cash flows from pledges and perform the basic journal entries for each;
- Identify certain specialized applications of lease accounting in the public sector;
- Classify cash flows;
- Determine the annual cost of pollution remediation and of landfill closure and postclosure care;
- Identify situations that give rise to rebatable arbitrage and apply the appropriate accounting;
- Perform basic worksheet entries to incorporate fund data into government-wide financial statements; and
- Identify joint ventures and similar arrangements and apply the appropriate accounting for each.
Recommended Reading
2005 Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting: Using the GASB 34 Model (Chapter 12)
Registration Fees
GFOA member: $685 Nonmember: $865 TOP
Evaluating Internal Controls No prerequisite Course Level: Introductory
CPE Credits: 8
1 Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. View current GFOA training schedule
Who Will Benefit Managers, internal auditors, and others with an interest in the proper design, maintenance, and evaluation of a comprehensive internal control framework in the public sector.
Program
Participants will examine each of the essential elements of a comprehensive framework of internal control. The understanding gained from this review will then be applied to the study and evaluation of control-related policies and procedures from a specifically state and local government perspective. The public manager’s role in fraud prevention and detection also will be covered.
Advance Preparation
None
Seminar Objectives
Those who successfully complete this seminar should be able to: - Define “internal control” and explain how it relates to basic managerial objectives
- Identify the respective responsibilities of management, the governing body, external auditors, and internal auditors in regard to internal control
- Describe the inherent limitations of internal control
- Identify the five essential elements of a comprehensive framework of internal control
- Describe the key characteristics of a sound control environment
- Identify the key factors for identifying and assessing risk
- Identify the major categories of control-related policies and procedures and how they relate to identified risks
- Describe the special role of information and communication in a comprehensive framework of internal control
- Identify the two essential components of monitoring
- Identify the essential elements of an evaluation of internal control
- Describe the relationship between internal control and fraud
- Describe how fraud can be identified and how identified fraud should be managed
Recommended Reading
An Elected Official’s Guide to Internal Controls and Fraud Prevention
Registration Fees
GFOA member: $370 Nonmember: $550
TOP
GASB Pronouncements: A Comprehensive Survey No prerequisite Course Level: Introductory CPE Credits: 8
1 Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit Accounting and financial reporting professionals desiring a broad acquaintance with the entire body of standards promulgated by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). Program The seminar systematically summarizes all of the authoritative pronouncements issued by the GASB since its inception in June 1984, highlighting key concepts and practical applications. Advance Preparation None Seminar Objectives Those who successfully complete this seminar should be able to: - Describe the structure of the GASB
- Describe the hierarchy of governmental Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP) for state and local governments
- Summarize the key concepts underlying each of the GASB’s statements, interpretations, and technical bulletins
Recommended Reading 2005 Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting: Using the GASB 34 Model
Registration FeesGFOA member: $370 Nonmember: $550 TOP
Intermediate Governmental Accounting No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate
CPE Credits: 20
2.5 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 1st and 2nd day. 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 3rd day
View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit Mid-level finance officers, accountants, independent auditors, and other persons with a basic knowledge of private-sector accounting.
Note: this seminar covers material already substantially covered in the GFOA’s Accounting Academy: An Intensive Introduction to Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting
Program
This seminar is designed to provide participants with a solid working knowledge of the specialized accounting and financial reporting used for state and local governments. Emphasis is placed throughout on differences between private- and public-sector theory and practice. Advance Preparation None
Seminar Objectives
Those who successfully complete the seminar should be able to: - Identify and rank the various sources of GAAP for state and local governments
- Select the appropriate fund to use to account for a given function or activity
- Properly apply specialized public-sector account classifications and financial reporting terminology
- Distinguish the accrual treatment of transactions and events from the modified accrual treatment of those items
- Determine which legally separate units should be included within the financial reporting entity and how they should be presented there
- Perform basic journal entries for governmental funds
- Perform basic journal entries for proprietary funds
- Perform basic journal entries for fiduciary funds
- Identify the basic steps in converting fund data for inclusion in government-wide financial statements
- Make basic budgetary journal entries and determine when a budgetary comparison is required and at what level of detail
- Identify the components of each of the three major sections of a comprehensive annual financial report
Note: It is recommended that all attendees bring a copy of the GFOA’s Blue Book, Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting: Using the GASB 34 Model, to the seminar with them.
Recommended Reading
An Elected Official’s Guide to the New Governmental Financial Reporting Model An Elected Official’s Guide to Fund Balance and Net Assets Registration Fees GFOA member: $685 Nonmember: $865 TOP
Preparing a CAFR Prerequisite: Intermediate Governmental Accounting or equivalent Course Level: Intermediate CPE Credits: 8
1 Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit Accounting and financial reporting professionals who have prepared, or wish to be able to prepare, a comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).
Program
Participants will examine the format and contents of a CAFR prepared in accordance with both generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and the program requirements of the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program.
Note: This program is an abbreviated form of the GFOA’s two and one-half day seminar on Advanced Financial Reporting.
Advance Preparation
None
Seminar Objectives
Those who successfully complete the seminar should be able to: - Identify the three basic sections of a CAFR and the essential components of each
- Identify the basic elements of a letter of transmittal
- Identify the appropriate elements to include in management’s discussion and analysis
- Identify each of the basic financial statements and their essential elements
- Identify combining and individual fund statements and their essential elements
- Identify required supplementary information
- Identify key note disclosure requirements, especially those commonly misapplied in practice
- Identify all required statistical presentations
Note: It is recommended that attendees bring a copy of the GFOA’s 2005 Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting: Using the GASB 34 Model, to the seminar with them.
Recommended Reading
An Elected Official’s Guide to the New Governmental Financial Reporting Model
Registration FeesGFOA member: $370 Nonmember: $550
TOP
Budgeting and Financial PlanningAdvanced Governmental Budgeting and Strategic Planning No prerequisite Course Level: Advanced
CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days
View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit Senior budget staff, budget directors, and other administrative officials who manage the budget and policy-making process. Program Participants will be provided with the tools and techniques to manage policy development and political decision making in the budgetary process. Participants will analyze the key elements of the strategic planning process and discover successful methods used by governments to incorporate those principles so that every budget moves its organization towards important goals and stays consistent with the mission. Participants will learn ways to more effectively communicate with and focus policymakers on long-range strategy. Seminar Objectives - Evaluate the organizational and political environment
- Develop a thorough understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and power of staff, appointed boards, and elected officials
- Develop effective policy guidelines for budget preparation and implementation
- Set policy through strategic and long-range financial plans
- Manage policy development outside of the budgetary process and identify ways to integrate other planning processes into the budget
- Understand how leading-edge governments are incorporating key elements of strategic thinking into the budget process
Recommended Reading Priority-Setting Models for Public Budgeting
Decision Tools for Budgetary Analysis Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
Best Practices in Budgeting Course Level: Intermediate CPE Credits: 16
2 Days
9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days View current GFOA training schedule
Prerequisite: Budget Analysts Training Academy or Budgeting for Budget Analysts (or equivalent experience). Instructors will assume that participants have prior experience with and knowledge of basic budget preparation, adoption, and administration.
Who Will Benefit
The Best Practices in Budgeting course is geared towards finance officers, budget officers, senior budget analysts, and others interested in best practice solutions to solving common budget problems. This intermediate / advanced seminar offers individuals already familiar with budget practices the opportunity to learn about leading practices in specific areas of public sector budgeting.
Program
The Best Practices in Budgeting series of seminars focuses on a different set of topics each time it is offered. While new topics are offered at each session in order to enable more advanced practitioners the opportunity to continue their learning, all leading practices presented are consistent with the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting’s (NACSLB) recommendations’ four key principles:
1) Establish broad goals to guide government decision making
2) Develop approaches to achieve goals
3) Develop a budget with approaches to achieve goals
4) Evaluate performance and make adjustments
Through a mix of lectures, case studies, and discussion, seminar leaders will highlight examples of leading practices from state and local governments. Participants will be encouraged to share examples of effective practices from their own experience.
Seminar Objectives
Participants will take away implementable ideas related to the following budget topics, which will be covered in detail.
- Short-term and long-term approaches for addressing deficits
- Budgeting in times of economic uncertainty (including cutback and surplus management)
- Fiscal First Aid
- Tools and methods for analysis
- Priority setting and citizen participation
Suggested Reading
Recommended Budget Practices: A Framework for Improved State and Local Government Budgeting, National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting, available at http://www.gfoa.org/services/nacslb/ Benchmarking and Measuring Debt Capacity, GFOA Budgeting Series Volume 1 Revenue Analysis and Forecasting, GFOA Budgeting Series Volume 2 Decision Tools for Budgetary Analysis, GFOA Budgeting Series Volume 3 Priority Setting Models for Public Budgeting, GFOA Budgeting Series Volume 4
Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
Budget Analyst Training Academy No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate
CPE Credits: 24 3 Days 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., first day; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., 2nd & third days; 9 a.m. - 1 p.m, 4th day
View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit The Budget Analyst Training Academy is a “must attend” for beginning and intermediate budget analysts that seek to develop a mastery of the local governmental budgeting environment. Presented by leading practitioners and researchers in the budgeting field, this offering will empower budget analysts with core and advanced analytical tools and concepts to help them conduct better financial analysis and help their financial managers make improved resource planning decisions. Program The scarcity of resources available to local government has increased the importance of high-caliber strategic financial planning, and has placed a premium on staff that possess the skills to perform such activities. This intensive three day program will provide new and intermediate budget analysts with necessary knowledge and core competencies in budget analysis. Participants will also complete a case study over the course of the seminar that will allow them to interact more closely with fellow budget analysts while putting their existing and newly learned knowledge to work to analyze and solve problems. This exercise will require some group work in the evenings. Seminar Topics
Included in the training program are the following subject areas:
- Budget roles and process
- Budget formats
- Presenting budget information
- Government stakeholder relationships
- Performance measurement and management
- Capital planning
- Policy analysis and program evaluation
- Long-term financial planning
- Governmental accounting
Learning Objectives
Those who successfully complete the training program should be able to: - Understand the budget environment, including intergovernmental and political relationships
- Be familiar with basic accounting principles
- Differentiate between enterprise, capital, and general fund types
- Differentiate between incremental, zero-based, and performance-based budget types
- Understand operating and capital budget relationships
- Understand fundamentals of budget analysis and prepare budget recommendations
- Understand basis of budget monitoring
- Understand the principles of performance measurement and develop performance measures
- Be aware of best practices in budgeting
- Understand fundamentals of long-term financial planning and development of financial policies
Recommended Reading An Elected Official’s Guide to Performance Measurement
Organization and Design of an Effective Budget Function Registration Fees GFOA member: $735 Nonmember: $940 TOP
Budgeting for Budget Analysts No prerequisite CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit The seminar is designed for budget analysts in both operational and support departments, departmental finance staff, and others who are involved in budget development and budget control, and who conduct program analysis. This is the first seminar in GFOA’s Budgeting Series. It focuses on the fundamentals and is intended for individuals with no more than two to three years of experience in a budget environment. Program Using group exercises, discussions, case studies, and lectures, participants will survey an array of techniques and issues central to operating and capital budgeting. The general aim of the seminar is to provide budget analysts with an understanding of the political and policy context in which they work. Seminar Goals The goals of the seminar include, but are not limited to, gaining an understanding of: - The role of the budget analyst
- Budget analysis and process techniques
- Politics of the budgeting process
- Analytical techniques for revenue/expenditure forecastingPriority-setting strategies for government programs
- The role of performance measurement in budgeting
Recommended Reading The Operating Budget: A Guide for Smaller Governments
Capital Improvement Programming: A Guide for Smaller Governments
An Elected Official’s Guide to Revenue Forecasting
An Elected Official’s Guide to Performance Measurement Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
Capital Budgeting and Infrastructure Finance No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate
CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days
View current GFOA training schedule Who Will BenefitThis seminar is designed for individuals who are directly involved in the capital budgeting process at the state and local government level. Finance department staff, economic development staff, and public finance professionals involved in debt management and issuance also will benefit from this seminar. ProgramThis program will focus on leading-edge practices and techniques for capital budgeting and infrastructure planning. The course will examine the capital budget process from selecting and timing capital projects through the production and presentation of the capital plan. It also will discuss capital budget management during budget execution and approaches to measuring debt affordability. Seminar ObjectivesThose who successfully complete this seminar should be able to: Develop a capital planning and budgeting process. Integrate recommended practices into capital budgeting and debt financing. Develop capital budget policies. Prepare a capital improvement program. Analyze approaches to selecting, timing, rating, and prioritizing capital projects. Estimate and analyze capital projects. Design a capital financing strategy. Identify potential funding sources. Prepare a capital budget document. Evaluate and monitor capital project expenditures.
Recommended Reading Priority-Setting Models for Public Budgeting Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
Effective Budget Presentation No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate
CPE Credits: 8
1 Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit This seminar is designed for budget and finance staff involved in preparing state and local governmental budget documents. Those involved in communicating budgetary data to citizens also will profit from the seminar, as should individuals from legislative, rating-agency, or interest-group backgrounds. Program The one-day seminar will provide participants with the opportunity to acquire hands-on, practical advice on how to improve the effectiveness of state or local government's budget document. Special emphasis will be placed on how to make the most of technology to present data graphically. The Program is structured around the criteria used to judge the quality of budget documents submitted to the GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program. Numerous examples are drawn from the GFOA's book-length publication Preparing High Quality budget Documents, which is furnished on site to all participants as part of their course materials. Seminar Objectives - Provide the practical information needed to improve the quality of a government's budget document
Recommended Reading Recommended Budget Practices CD-ROM
Note: Attendees should bring a copy of their budget document with them to the seminar. Registration Fees GFOA member: $370 Nonmember: $550 TOP
Financial Planning and Multi-year Budgeting
No prerequisite
CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days
View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit This seminar is intended for financial planners and forecasters in state and local government. The instructor will describe the major elements of developing a long-term financial plan and methods to transition to multi-year budgets. The seminar will highlight major themes of the recommended budget practices of the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting (NACSLB). Program Participants will be exposed to practical analytical methods for conducting long-term financial planning, expenditure and revenue forecasting, and debt affordability analysis. Additionally, participants will gain a greater understanding of how long-term financial planning, forecasting, and debt affordability analysis strengthen the budget process. Seminar Objectives - Designing financial planning processes based on NACSLB budget practices
- Revenue and expenditure forecasting methods
- Budget balancing tools
- Multi-year budgeting approaches
- Financial planning for municipal enterprises
- Linking performance measurement to financial planning
- Technology for financial forecasting
Recommended Reading An Elected Official’s Guide to Revenue Forecasting
An Elected Official’s Guide to Multi-Year Budgeting
Revenue Analysis and Forecasting
Benchmarking and Measuring Debt Capacity Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
Fiscal First Aid: Achieving Financial Sustainability No prerequisite Course level: Introductory CPE Credits: 16
2 Days
9 a.m. - 5 p.m View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit
This seminar is designed for finance officers and financial analysts. There is no prerequisite for this seminar, which is intended to be introductory.
Program
In the face of declining economic conditions and fiscal pressure, many governments are facing pressing financial challenges that must be addressed as prerequisite to long-term service and financial sustainability. Fiscal first aid restores financial stability in the short term and sets the stage for long-term recovery. Participants in this course will be exposed to practical techniques for diagnosing and treating fiscal distress, including using recommended fiscal first aid treatments, spending within your means, understanding variance, and being transparent about the true cost of doing business. Participants will also learn how to better analyze financial position, communicate effectively about fiscal distress with elected officials and the public, and turn short-term fixes into long-term solutions for their governments.
Learning Objectives
Through presentations, discussions, case studies, and practical exercises, participants who successfully complete the course should be able to: - Identify symptoms and causes of fiscal distress
- Better diagnose and analyze the underlying causes of fiscal distress in their jurisdictions before rushing to treatment
- Understand the advantages and disadvantages of various fiscal first aid techniques
- Determine which fiscal first aid techniques are most appropriate under given circumstances
- Complete more accurate forecasts and better monitor fiscal health
- Communicate more effectively about fiscal distress with elected officials and other stakeholders
- Develop a short-term recovery plan
Recommended Reading
- Financing the Future: Long-Term Financial Planning for Local Government
- An Elected Official's Guide: Long-Term Financial Planning for Local Government
- Financial Policies: Design and Implementation
- Revenue Analysis and Forecasting
Web Resources
www.gfoa.org/fiscalfirstaid Registration Fees GFOA member: $580; Nonmember: $790 TOP
Managing the Budget Process CPE Credits: 8 One day 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Program Creating the budget is about more than simply balancing expected revenues and expenditures. To create a successful plan finance officers must manage the budget process, budget calendar, and the many stakeholders that play a role. This training will provide strategies for getting the most out of the budget process to help governments be successful in the upcoming year. Leading practitioners will share lessons learned on creating an effective budget calendar, determining the most appropriate budget process, and getting the budget approved all while dealing with fiscal uncertainty and managing conflicting interests. Registration Fees GFOA member: $370; Nonmember: $550 TOP
Revenue Forecasting and Analysis No prerequisite Course Level: Introductory CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days View current GFOA training schedule
Who Will Benefit
Budget analysts, forecasters, and other finance staff who are involved in preparing revenue forecasts.
Program
This seminar discusses the process of revenue forecasting as well as practical analytical methods. Instructors will demonstrate how to use Excel spreadsheet software as a tool for revenue forecasting and analysis through hands-on class exercises for preparing data, qualitative and quantitative analysis methods, and basic statistics. Recommended practices of GFOA and the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting are incorporated into this seminar. To facilitate the objectives discussed in this course, participants will apply forecasting techniques on their own laptop computers in individual and group exercises and should, therefore, have a working knowledge of Excel spreadsheets and using data for analysis purposes.
Seminar Objectives
Those who successfully complete this seminar should be able to: -
Define best practices in revenue forecasting -
Forecast revenues using qualitative and quantitative methods -
Prepare data for quantitative analysis (deflating, differencing, smoothing, normalizing) -
Define fundamentals of regression analysis and being a “smart consumer” of regression output -
Identify historic revenue patterns -
Identify influence factors that affect revenue patterns -
Choose and apply the appropriate forecasting method -
Determine the accuracy of the forecast -
Perform monitoring of actual revenues relative to the forecast -
Determine appropriate forecast revisions at regular intervals
The seminar also incorporates an introduction to the basics of revenue portfolio analysis, including: -
Criteria for evaluating revenue sources -
Finding the weak spot in your revenue portfolio -
Diversification of revenue -
Pros and cons of various taxes
Recommended Reading
Revenue Analysis and Forecasting An Elected Official’s Guide to Revenue Forecasting
Please note: A laptop computer with Excel spreadsheet software is required for class exercises in this seminar.
Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
Cash Management and InvestingAdvanced Public Investing No prerequisite CPE Credits: 16 2 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days View current GFOA training schedule Program Overview Advanced Public Investing will provide participants a solid understanding of complex investment concepts that pertain to risk, return, portfolio strategies, and security analysis. This is an advanced course and participants will be expected to have a solid foundation in fixed-income securities and their various characteristics, investment economics, and passive and active investment strategies. It is strongly recommended that participants attend the GFOA Investing Public Funds seminar before attending this Advanced Public Investing seminar. Topics Covered
- Risk concepts and metrics. Maturity and weighted average maturity are often used as measures of market risk for a security and portfolio. Neither gives adequate information to allow investors to make a fully informed investment decision. The course will explain the concepts and uses of duration, convexity, yield value of a 32nd, and standard deviation.
- Measures of return. Yield and average yield are often the measures of return reported for a security and a portfolio. The course will show how total return is calculated and how it can be used to measure the effectiveness of the investment program.
- Benchmarking portfolio performance. The seminar will address the use of benchmarks and how they assist in measuring investment performance as well as making and evaluating investment decisions
- Active portfolio management strategies. In contrast to passive portfolio management, active portfolio management is a dynamic investing approach that attempts to identify opportunities that enable the portfolio to achieve a return greater than that of the market. This course will explore a number of these strategies: duration management, yield curve placement, sector weighting decisions, individual security selection, and timing.
- Options-adjusted spread (OAS) analysis. The universe of securities contains innumerable fixed-income investments with various options structures that affect the potential return on a security. Participants will learn to use OAS to evaluate securities with embedded options (callable securities).
- Electronic tools for portfolio management. The Bloomberg Professional system is a powerful tool that provides real-time information to investors, allowing them to manage their portfolios. Participants will use this tool throughout the training to apply some of the advanced concepts taught in the course.
A laptop computer is recommended for this seminar. Learning Objectives Those who successfully complete the seminar should be able to: -
Identify and use important risk concepts and metrics, including: duration, convexity, yield value of a 32nd, and standard deviation. -
Calculate measures of return, including: yield, average yield, and total return. -
Use portfolio benchmarks to make and evaluate investment decisions. -
Determine which active portfolio strategy (e.g., laddered, barbells, and bullet portfolios) is appropriate in various interest rate scenarios. -
Perform options-adjusted spread analysis. -
Use electronic tools for portfolio management. -
Apply principles learned in the course in a simulation exercise that constructs a portfolio based on given market information.
Registration FeesGFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790
Investing Public Funds No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate
CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - t p.m., both days View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit State and local government treasurers, investment officers, and other finance officers and their staff who are involved with the investment of public funds and investment oversight. Program This course focuses on the investment of public funds. Participants will learn the tools and techniques to manage short-term investment portfolios. Attention will be given to the latest investment strategies and instruments. This intermediate-level course requires a basic knowledge of investment principles and practices. Seminar Objectives - Understand money markets and interest rates
- Evaluate and adopt sound investment policies
- Assess and use an array of investment instruments
- Determine your investment horizon
- Evaluate and use external money managers
- Develop and exercise short-term strategies
- Track and report on investments and investment earnings
- Implement performance benchmarks
Recommended Reading Investing Public Funds
An Elected Official’s Guide to Investing
Treasury Management Newsletter—GFOA’s monthly subscription newsletter Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
Treasury Management and Banking Relations No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - t p.m., both days
View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit The seminar is designed for state and local government finance directors, treasurers, cash managers, and other finance officers responsible for the treasury management function. Program This seminar introduces fundamental cash management strategies and techniques for governments. It covers the important elements of cash collection, disbursement, and reporting. Participants will learn the latest in cash management procedures, policies, and technology. The seminar will also provide tips for getting the most out of your banking relationship and show how to use the RFP process to get better services from your bank and minimize the cost to the government. Seminar Objectives Learn the fundamentals of public treasury management. Optimize cash collections and disbursements. Strengthen internal controls and deter check fraud. Learn how to start and use ACH and EFT services. Construct cash flow forecasts. Develop and manage banking relationships. Evaluate methods of paying for banking services. Manage deposits for safety and security. Develop an RFP for banking services. Learn about and evaluate the newest treasury technology and banking services.
Recommended Reading Banking Services: A Guide for Governments
Treasury Management Newsletter—GFOA’s monthly subscription newsletter
Learning Objectives Those who successfully complete the seminar should be able to: Optimize cash collections and disbursements. Strengthen internal controls and deter check fraud. Use electronic banking services to optimize collections and disbursements. Construct cash flow forecasts. Evaluate existing banking relationships. Evaluate methods of paying for banking services (i.e., compensating balances and direct fees). Use collateralization and other tools to safeguard public deposits. Write an RFP for banking services and evaluate RFP responses.
Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
Debt ManagementPlanning and Sale of Municipal Bonds No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate
CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit This two-day seminar is intended for individuals who desire either an intensive introduction to the municipal bond market or a review of current practices. State and local finance directors and staff, budget officers, internal and external auditors, elected officials, and financial advisors are encouraged to attend. Program This seminar will review recent trends in the municipal bond market and the actions state and local governments must take to issue debt. Participants will be introduced to the major steps involved in issuing tax-exempt debt as well as more in-depth instruction on conducting a bond sale. The seminar will combine lectures and exercises to provide participants with hands-on instruction. Seminar Objectives Choose among different methods of sale Structure new general obligation and revenue bond issues Design strategies for effective rating agency presentations Prepare for a competitive bond sale Understand the pricing process in a negotiated bond sale Evaluate the feasibility of refunding or reorganizing existing debt obligations Explore the role of the Internet in increasing market efficiency Develop tools to respond to voter initiatives that restrict tax base
Learning Objectives Those who successfully complete the seminar should be able to: Select the appropriate type of debt to issue in specific scenarios. Select the appropriate method of sale based on the security, structure, and expected rating on the bonds. Structure new general obligation and revenue bond issues. Design an effective rating agency presentation. Prepare for a competitive bond sale. Plan and execute a negotiated bond sale. Evaluate the feasibility of refunding or reorganizing existing debt obligations Perform basic bond math and debt sizing calculations. Identify the main components in a capital improvement plan. Identify the finance officer’s responsibilities following a bond sale.
Recommended Reading Debt Issuance and Management: A Guide for Smaller Governments An Elected Official’s Guide to Debt Issuance An Elected Official’s Guide to Rating Agency Presentations Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
Post-Issuance Compliance No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate CPE Credits: 8 1 Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit State and local finance directors and staff. Program This seminar focuses on the finance officer’s responsibilities after bonds are sold. Participants will learn how best to invest bond proceeds, comply with arbitrage and tax regulations, and provide appropriate secondary market disclosure. In addition, the seminar will provide practical guidance on how to monitor refinancing opportunities, maintain an investor relations program, and comply with bond covenants and agreements. The seminar will combine lectures and exercises to provide participants with hands-on instruction.
Seminar Objectives
- Learn how to invest proceeds from the bond issue by following principles of good investment management
- Comply with arbitrage and other tax regulations
- Provide appropriate secondary market disclosure
- Monitor refinancing opportunities
- Maintain an investor relations program
- Comply with bond covenants and agreements
Learning Objectives
Those who successfully complete the seminar should be able to: - Invest proceeds from the bond issue by following principles of good investment management
- Comply with arbitrage and other tax regulations
- Provide appropriate secondary market disclosures
- Monitor refinancing opportunities
- Maintain an investor relations program
- Comply with bond covenants and agreements
Recommended Reading
- Debt Issuance and Management: A Guide for Smaller Governments
- Making Good Disclosure
- GFOA Recommended Practice: Debt Management Policy
- GFOA Recommended Practice: Maintaining an Investor Relations Program
- GFOA/NABL Post-Issuance Compliance Checklist
Registration Fees GFOA member: $370; Nonmember: $550 TOP
Understanding and Calculating Arbitrage Rebate No prerequisite; however, this course assumes that students will have a basic understanding of debt management and present and future value calculations. Course Level: Advanced CPE Credits: 8
1 Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit Government finance officers responsible for the debt issuance and debt management functions. Program Participants will take an in-depth look at the regulations as well as receive practical guidance on implementing some of the more complex provisions of arbitrage rebate. You will gain a basic working knowledge of the regulations, learn what it takes to comply with IRS requirements, and discover the common pitfalls and problems with their implementation. Seminar Objectives - Learn what arbitrage is
- Review history of arbitrage regulations
- Calculate arbitrage
- Define terms and concepts:
- Purpose/non-purpose investments
- Government bonds
- Private activity bonds
- Hedge bonds
- Reimbursement bonds
- Temporary periods
- Transferred proceeds
Learning Objectives Those who successfully complete the seminar should be able to: - Define general rebate requirements.
- Determine if an issuer satisfies an exception to rebate requirements.
- Calculate net investment cash flow.
- Calculate arbitrage rebate.
- Identify how yield restriction integrates with arbitrage rebate.
- Identify investment bidding rules, including: yield burning rules, bid specification requirements, and record retention requirements.
- Identify the policies and procedures necessary to administer an arbitrage compliance program.
Registration Fees GFOA member: $370 Nonmember: $550 TOP
Using Derivatives in Managing Liabilities and Assets Prerequisite: Planning and Sale of Municipal Bonds Course Level: Advanced
CPE Credits: 8
1 Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit The use of derivative products is becoming more prevalent in state and local government debt and risk management programs. Derivatives may take the form of interest rate swaps, options on swaps, and other hedging mechanisms such as caps, floors, collars, and rate locks. Each carries its own set of risks, and the potential for saving money. Derivative products can be an important interest rate management tool, and when used properly can increase a governmental entity’s financial flexibility, provide opportunities for interest rate savings, alter the pattern of debt service payments, create variable rate exposure, and limit or hedge variable rate payments. Program The purpose of this course is to educate governmental issuers on the risks and potential benefits of derivative products, providing the tools and framework to properly evaluate them as a financing tool, and identifying situations when derivatives can be used. Seminar Objectives The seminar will cover all of the following topics: - The types of derivative products that may be used or prohibited
- The legal, accounting, credit, and disclosure issues
- The methods for measuring, evaluating, monitoring, and managing the different risks associated with these products (such as basis, tax, interest rate, and credit, risks).
Registration Fees GFOA member: $370 Nonmember: $550 TOP
Management and PolicyAdvanced Tools: Long-Term Financial Planning
No prerequisite
CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days View current GFOA training schedule
Who Will Benefit This seminar is designed for finance officers and financial analysts. There is no prerequisite for this seminar, which is intended to be introductory. Program In the face of worsening economic conditions and economic pressure, governments look to financial planning to determine the magnitude of fiscal challenges and to devise strategies to provide a sustainable level of public services. Participants in this course will be exposed to practical analytical methods for communicating the importance of financial planning with elected officials, the public, and staff; conducting expenditure and revenue forecasting; developing a long-term financial plan; and implementing and monitoring the plan for success. Seminar Objectives Through presentations, discussions, case studies, practical exercises, and sample documents, participants will gain an understanding of the following: - How to design a planning process that fits the particular needs of their government.
- How to involve participants from outside the finance function in order to develop a plan with a broad base of support.
- How to use various tools and techniques for high quality financial forecasting and analysis
- How to execute a financial plan and achieve results
Recommended Reading Financing the Future: Long-Term Financial Planning for Local Government An Elected Official's Guide: Long-Term Financial Planning for Local Government Financial Policies: Design and Implementation Revenue Analysis and Forecasting
Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
Alternative Service Delivery Group-Live course No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate CPE credits: 8 1-day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. View current GFOA training schedule
Who Will Benefit
This one-day intermediate-level seminar is intended for finance officers and public managers involved in analyzing and implementing the most efficient and cost effective way to deliver services.
Program
Is your local government providing its services in the best and most cost effective way? Increased scrutiny on how governments allocate scarce budget resources and heightened citizen demands for services require governments to carefully evaluate the services they provide and determine the best method for delivering them to constituents. This seminar provides information on the advantages and disadvantages of alternative service delivery; determining which services are best suited for this approach; and evaluating the effectiveness and benefits of alternative service delivery methods.
Seminar Objectives
- Identification of services and considerations for alternative service delivery
- Developing a comprehensive alternative service delivery strategy
- Analyzing cost and quality
- Designing a process for alternative service delivery through outsourcing or managed competition
- Using cost information in service provider decisions
Recommended Reading
Cost Analysis and Activity-Based Costing for Government
GFOA member: $370 Nonmember: $550
TOP
Costing Government Services
Group-Live course
No prerequisite
Course Level: Intermediate CPE credits: 8
1 day
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
View current GFOA training schedule
Who Will Benefit
This one-day intermediate-level seminar is intended for finance officers and public managers involved in analyzing and evaluating program efficiencies and implementing new ways to structure and deliver services.
Program
Government finance officers and public managers are increasingly pressured to find ways to do more with less through improved efficiency. As government responsibilities have increased, revenue-generating capabilities have become more limited. Cost analysis is an effective tool for reviewing fiscal issues and an integral part of strategic public management. This seminar presents fundamental concepts and practices in service costing as well as leading-edge topics such as the applicability of activity based costing and costing technology in government agencies.
Seminar Objectives
Those who successfully complete this seminar should be able to:
- Define fundamental cost accounting concepts
- Determine reasons and uses for cost accounting
- Understand cost types and how they are calculated
- Define cost objectives and what is being measured
- Identify and calculate time and cost behavior
- Identify how costing fits a into performance management system
- Define government uses for activity based costing
- Apply concepts of activity-based costing techniques
- Integrate service costing and financial planning
- Design costing capabilities in financial systems
Recommended ReadingCost Analysis and Activity-Based Costing for Government Registration FeesGFOA member: $370 Nonmember: $550 TOP
Disaster Planning for Finance Officers No prerequisite
CPE Credits: 8
1 Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. View current GFOA training schedule
Who Will Benefit This introductory seminar is designed for finance or budget officers and staff.
Program Public finance officers are called upon to continue the functions of the local government during and after disasters. This class is designed to enable finance and budget managers to plan ahead by learning more about their unique role in developing disaster policies and procedures and what to expect during and after an emergency. This seminar will equip finance officers with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively develop disaster policies and procedures for financial management (including FEMA reimbursement considerations), develop a business continuity plan, and plan for operations recovery.
Seminar Objectives Through presentations, discussions, case studies, practical exercises, and sample documents, participants will gain an understanding of the following:
- Disaster planning for the finance officer
- Activity-based costing technique
- Local government emergency preparedness processes
- Business continuity planning issues
- FEMA requirements and coordination with local governments.
Registration Fees GFOA member: $370 Nonmember: $550 TOP
Economic Development for Finance Officers Group-Live course No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate
CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days View current GFOA training schedule Who Will BenefitThis seminar is designed for finance directors, assistant finance directors, and other financial staff who work on or will work on economic development projects. There is no prerequisite for this seminar, which is intended to be an introduction to the various types of involvement a finance professional may have in economic development efforts. ProgramGiven that increasing the tax base and attracting jobs are high priorities for most local governments, finance officers need to speak the language of economic development. Even though most government finance professionals are not trained in this area, they are frequently being called upon to evaluate economic development projects. This seminar will help equip finance officers with the basic knowledge and skills they need to effectively participate in economic development activities through class discussion, case studies, and practical examples. Seminar Objectives Those who successfully complete the seminar should be able to: -
Identify common economic development tools and incentives used by local governments. -
Identify various participants and understand their roles in economic development. -
Evaluate strategies for basic economic development and impacts of subsidies. -
Assess financial and risk aspects of incentives. -
Analyze term sheets and development agreements. -
Evaluate pro formas. -
Measure and monitor economic development projects. -
Examine accountability and strategy issues.
Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
Fiscal First Aid: Achieving Financial Sustainability Group-Live course No prerequisite CPE Credits: 8 1 Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit This introductory seminar is designed for finance officers and financial analysts. There is no prerequisite. Program In the face of declining economic conditions and fiscal pressure, many governments are facing serious financial challenges that must be addressed as prerequisite to long-term financial sustainability. "Fiscal first aid" restores financial stability in the short term. Participants in this course will be exposed to practical techniques for prioritizing services, reducing expenditures, and increasing revenues. They will also learn how to better analyze financial position, communicate effectively about fiscal distress with elected officials and the public, and turn short-term fixes into long-term solutions for their governments. Learning Objectives Through presentations, discussions, case studies, and practical exercises, participants who successfully complete the course should be able to: - Identify symptoms and causes of fiscal distress
- Understand the pros and cons of various methods for reducing expenses and increasing revenues
- Identify practical and feasible methods for achieving fiscal alignment
- Complete more accurate revenue and expenditure forecasts and better monitor fiscal health
- Communicate more effectively about fiscal distress with elected officials and other stakeholders
Recommended Reading Financing the Future: Long-Term Financial Planning for Local Government An Elected Official's Guide: Long-Term Financial Planning for Local Government Financial Policies: Design and Implementation Revenue Analysis and Forecasting Registration Fees GFOA member: $370 Nonmember: $550 TOP
Introduction to Performance Management Group-Live course No prerequisite Course Level: Introductory CPE Credits: 16
2 Days
9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit Government staff who are currently involved with helping to define goals, set performance measures, track results, monitor progress, make decisions, or are otherwise responsible for some aspect of an organization’s performance measurement and management efforts. This class will focus on the importance of performance measurement as part of a larger performance management approach.
This introductory-level course provides the fundamentals of governmental performance measurement and management processes. Course material is presented with the goal of preparing budget department and operating department staff and others with the necessary information to carry out their responsibilities in a performance-based environment. This session will focus on performance measurement and analysis as part of an integrated approach to performance management that includes planning, goal setting, budgeting, decision-making, evaluation, and reporting.
Specific topics that will be addressed include: - The case for performance management
- Best practices in setting goals and targets
- Using Logic Models to link goals to actions
- Data analysis using performance indicators
- The role of an analyst in a performance based environment
- Effective presentation and communication of data
- Tips for getting more out of a performance measurement system
The format for this session will include presentations from leading practitioners, group discussions, and practice sessions.
* All participants are encouraged to bring a laptop computer with Microsoft Excel to participate in data analysis and communication exercises during the practice sessions.
Seminar Objectives - Develop the case for performance management
- Understand strategies to help organizations develop goals, set measures, track results, and make data informed decisions
- Understand the role analysts play in a performance management system
- Develop necessary tools to analyze and communicate performance measurement data that contributes to management decisions.
Required Reading Christina Altmayer, "Moving to Performance Based Management," Government Finance Review, 22, no3 (June 2007): 8-14.
Karla Pierce “Nine Habits of Effective Data-Driven Performance Management,” Government Finance Review, 22, no3 (June 2007): 36-40.
(Articles are available at www.gfoa.org/pm/ along with other resource material)
Recommended Reading An Elected Official’s Guide to Performance Measurement
Harry Hatry, Performance Measurement: Getting Results, 2nd Edition, (Washington, D.C.: The Urban Institute Press, 2006)
David Osborne and Peter Hutchinson, The Price of Government: Getting the Results We Need in an Age of Permanent Fiscal Crisis, (New York: Basic Books, 2004) Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
Advanced Performance Management Group-Live course Prerequisite: Introduction to Performance Management seminar or previous GFOA introductory performance measurement courses recommended but not required. Public-sector professionals with a basic understanding of performance measurement are encouraged to register. Course Level: Advanced
CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days
View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit This course is designed for public sector managers looking to implement, sustain, and/or improve performance management systems. Focus will be on tactics and methods for implementing performance management as part of an integrated system that extends the use of setting strategic goals and using data throughout the organization. Instructors will assume participants have a basic understanding of performance measurement. Program The use of performance management provides decision makers with data on how well the organization has met established targets and provides a way to empower them to make necessary management decisions to achieve desired results. This course will present strategies and techniques to integrate performance management with strategic planning, long-term financial planning, budgeting, operational management, reporting, and evaluation. Communities of all sizes have benefited from increased accountability, and an increased capacity to use data to learn and improve. For several years, the GFOA has conducted research in this area and course materials will draw from this research with examples and case studies as well as the instructors’ experience as leading practitioners in the field. Seminar Objectives- Determine how to create or facilitate the creation of outcome-focused strategic goals for the organization
- Learn techniques and tips for effectively collecting, analyzing, communicating, and using performance data for budget allocations and decision making
- Learn practical methods for encouraging participation from citizens and other stakeholders in developing an effective performance management system.
- Examine success factors for sustaining performance management efforts through periods of change
Recommended Reading None
Registration Fees
GFOA member: $580; Nonmember: $790 TOP
Pensions and Employee BenefitsHealth Care Cost Containment No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate
CPE Credits: 8
1 Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit This seminar is a primer on health care benefits for both finance officers who are being called upon to find ways to balance budgets and for other budgetary officials who need to be conversant with the complex language of health care benefit. Program State and local governments are continuing to struggle with the challenge of managing the costs of health care benefits. Health care inflation is zooming down a double-digit growth path. Experts in the field will identify the major players in the industry, examine the cost drivers underlying health care inflation, offer suggestions on how to design a health care benefits plan, and discuss both traditional and cutting-edge cost management techniques. Seminar Objectives This seminar will help participants to: - Understand the factors that drive health care inflation
- Learn basic plan design options and adjustments to existing plans
- Learn strategies for managing vendor relationships
- Develop knowledge of best practices for cost containment
Recommended Reading Prefunding Retiree Health Benefits: Vehicles for Prefunding and Case Study Experiences Registration Fees GFOA member: $370 Nonmember: $550 TOP
Public Employee Retirement Administration No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate
CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days
View current GFOA training schedule Who Will BenefitThe seminar is geared to new pension plan and retiree health plan administrators and staff, finance directors, and recently appointed trustees. It will also be relevant for budget analysts who have oversight of retirement plan or other post-employment benefit (OPEB) funding. Program
Participants will review the foundations of prudent practices in plan design, governance, investment strategies, retiree health, and OPEB obligations. The seminar will be filled with informative presentations by experts in the public pension and benefits fields. An extended question-and-answer roundtable will give participants the opportunity to mold the concepts into practical use.
Seminar Objectives - Review basic pension plan administration
- Assess plan design and funding of benefits
- Develop investment priorities
- Implement investment strategies
- Measure investment strategies
- Understand fiduciary obligations
- Examine basic retiree health-care administration
- Discuss strategies for controlling retiree health costs
- Consider tactics for addressing OPEB liabilities
Recommended Reading
- An Elected Official’s Guide to Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Retirement Plans
- Guide for Establishing a Pension Investment Policy
- An Elected Official’s Guide to Health Care Cost Containment
- An Elected Official’s Guide to Employer’s Accounting for Pensions and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB)
Registration FeesGFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790
Advanced Public Employee Retirement Administration No prerequisite Course Level: Advanced
CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days
View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit The seminar is designed for pension administrators, staff, and trustees with previous experience in public pension system administration and who are interested in sharing best practices and learning the important nuances of pension administration. Program In an ever-changing world of plan design, investment strategies and financial reporting requirements, this course seeks to provide an opportunity for pension administration professionals to gain up-to-date information and exchange ideas. With discussions led by experts in the field, the seminar builds upon the fundamentals covered in the intermediate course by exploring topics related to plan design, investing, risk management, and administrative functions in greater detail. An interactive format is utilized that gives participants the opportunity to expand upon their knowledge through discussions with peers. Seminar Objectives The topics this seminar will cover include: - Alternative plan designs, including hybrid plans, and funding methods
- Accounting and financial reporting including Other Post Employment Benefits
- Advanced investment strategies including new investment vehicles
- Securities lending
- Internal controls and investment policy
- Communicating with stakeholders
- Ethical and fiduciary responsibilities
Recommended Reading An Elected Official's Guide to Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Retirement Plans
A Guide for Establishing A Pension Investment Policy
Pension Investing: Fundamentals and Best Practices
An Elected Official's Guide to Employer’s Accounting for Pensions and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB)
State and Local Government Deferred Compensation Programs
GFOA recommended practices including: - Deferred Retirement Option Plans
- Funding of Public Employee Retirement Systems
- Evaluating use of Early Retirement Incentives
- Pension Investment Policies
- Alternative Investment Policy for Public Employee Retirement Systems
Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
TechnologyERP Project Management No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate
CPE Credits: 24
3 Days
View current GFOA training schedule Program Overview Public-sector organizations are increasingly taking advantage of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, which provide integrated financial and human resources solutions that help to streamline and improve public-sector business processes. While procuring the right ERP system can be tough for even the most well-run organizations, the real effort lies in implementing these systems, which can be an extremely complex endeavor. Today’s ERP project managers are faced with daunting challenges. They are required to successfully lead organizations through increasingly complex ERP implementations. As government budgets have become lean, project managers are tasked with accomplishing more with less and within tighter time frames. In response, informed project managers must seek training that will prepare them for the increased challenges that they face.
The ERP Project Management Boot Camp is a three-day course that has been designed to prepare public-sector ERP project managers with the tools, tips, and strategies that will allow them to successfully lead even the most challenging ERP implementations. The course has been developed to address the specific needs of the public-sector ERP project manager, and is taught by trained professionals with extensive experience in public-sector project management. Seminar Objectives The course will prepare you to: - Understand the key phases of an ERP implementation
- Understand the complex role of the project manager throughout the implementation
- Develop a skill set profile of the “ideal” project manager for your project
- Know the difference between the role of the vendor’s project management staff and the role of your organization’s project manager
- Apply effective strategies for selecting a successful project team
- Build an effective project plan
- Keep the project on track and within budget
Registration Fees GFOA member: $735 Nonmember: $940 TOP
Financial and ERP Systems Acquisition and Implementation No prerequisite Course Level: Intermediate
CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit This seminar is intended for public managers involved in the procurement and implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and financial management systems. The content also will be relevant to government staff that serve on implementation project teams; business process and technology consultants interested in successfully structuring public-sector systems projects; and elected officials involved in funding decisions related to system replacement. Program The course content presents best practices and lessons learned based on systematic research and consulting experience of GFOA staff. The seminar also includes case study presentations by small and large governments that have successfully installed enterprise systems. Instructors and speakers identify proven techniques to mitigate the risk of implementation failure as well design strategies for system optimization. Seminar Objectives The course will cover: - Needs assessment methods
- ROI/TCO analysis
- RFP/Business requirement definition
- System selection steps
- Contract negotiation tips and traps
- System rollout options (e.g., Big Bang vs. Phased)
- Project management and staffing
- Implementation methods
- Best practices and process redesign
- Change management strategies
- Technology architecture choices
- Post “go-live” optimization
Recommended Reading Technology Needs Assessments: Evaluating the Business Case for ERP and Financial Management Systems
ERP and Financial Management Systems: The Backbone of Digital Government
A Guide to Preparing an RFP for Enterprise Financial Systems Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
Integrated Business Systems: Acquisition, Implementation, and Change Management No prerequisite Course Level: Introductory CPE Credits: 16
2 Days 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., both days View current GFOA training schedule Who Will Benefit This seminar is intended for public managers involved in the procurement and implementation of integrated business systems, also known as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. The content will be relevant to government staff serving on implementation project teams; business process and technology consultants interested in successfully structuring public-sector systems projects; and elected officials involved in funding decisions related to system replacement. Program The trend over the past decade has been the procurement by governments of integrated software that combines financial, human resource/payroll, and support activities into a single system. While offering substantial process streamlining and informational access, integrated software systems can be very complex to procure and implement. Moreover, success is not defined by the technical aspects of installation and configuration, but rather by how well the government has prepared its employees for the cultural and process changes introduced by integrated systems. The course content presents best practices and lessons learned through systematic research and consulting experience of the GFOA staff. The seminar also includes case study presentations by small and large governments that have successfully installed enterprise systems. Instructors and speakers identify proven techniques to mitigate the risk of implementation failure as well as design strategies for system optimization. Seminar Objectives The course will cover: • Needs assessment methods • RFP/Business requirement definition • System selection steps • Contract negotiation tips and traps • Change management strategies to prepare the organization • Project management and staffing • Implementation methods • Best practices and process redesign • Technology options • Post “go-live” support Recommended Reading Technology Needs Assessments: Evaluating the Business Case for ERP and Financial Management Systems ERP and Financial Management Systems: The Backbone of Digital Government A Guide to Preparing an RFP for Enterprise Financial Systems Registration Fees GFOA member: $580 Nonmember: $790 TOP
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