Description

The fundamentals of state and local government accounting, decision-making, budget practices, and capital planning and funding are taught in this course. The first section of the course provides an overview of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and financial reporting. This is followed by an introduction to  funding and allocation of resources, and financial decision-making. The course then introduces the various budget processes and techniques employed by governments in budget preparation, enactment, and execution. The course ends with an examination of how governments fund capital improvements and infrastructure renewal as well as the causes of fiscal distress faced by government entities.