GFOA of the US & Canada

Understanding Governmental Accounting - December 11, 2012

Group Internet-based course
Prerequisites: None       
Course Level: Intermediate
CPE credits: 2
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 pm (Eastern)

Who Will Benefit
Anyone who has occasion to use state and local government financial statements, but is unfamiliar with the unique features of public-sector accounting and financial reporting.

Program Overview
State and local government financial reports provide a wealth of data useful for assessing a government’s finances. To profit from this information, however, users need at least a basic understanding of governmental accounting and financial reporting, which differ significantly from private-sector practice. This two-hour interactive Internet training program combines lecture and exercises to provide the necessary level of understanding in a straightforward and practical way.

Seminar Objectives
To familiarize participants with the unique features of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

Instructor
The instructor for this program will be Stephen J. Gauthier, director of GFOA’s Technical Services Center. Gauthier has authored numerous publications, including Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting (GAAFR or “Blue Book”).

Recommended Reading
Chapters 1 – 4 from the completely rewritten Governmental Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting (GAAFR or “Blue Book”) publication.