Budgeting Best Practices: Communicating the Budget

Communicating clearly is one of the best ways a local government can build trust with its constituents and, in doing so, strengthen its financial foundation. Unfortunately, though, many governments present their budget and financial information without translating it for the average citizen. At best, these documents bore citizens; at worst, they frustrate them. Government staff lament that no one reads them, and the cycle continues. Break out of your rut with this course, which examines the different ways governments can communicate financial and budgetary information more meaningfully to their respective communities. Going beyond simply using the traditional budget document, attendees will learn to make effective budget presentations, develop budget websites and dashboards, and integrate social media into their communication strategies.

Who Will Benefit: CFO/Finance Director, Budget Manager, Budget Analyst, Department Director

• Those who successfully complete this seminar should be able to:
• Understand the fundamental concept of communicating well.
• Understand what is external communication. The importance of doing it well and why it’s hard but vital to do.
• Understand what is internal communication. The purpose and how it’s different than external, but just as important.
• At a very basic level, understand what should a budget document include that provides helpful information while still being readable.
• Develop a more critical eye as to what information is useful to the average reader and ways to present it.