Background for Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting

Course Overview

The public sector environment is fundamentally different from that in which private sector organizations operate, hence the need for different accounting and financial reporting practices. This on-demand learning course will provide a basic introduction to the conceptual and practical ways in which generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for governments differ from that used by private companies. This course should take approximately 75 minutes to complete.

Who Will Benefit

Professionals in the state and local government sector with either no background or only a limited background in accounting and financial reporting. 

Learning Objectives

  • Identify and define the key terms used in governmental accounting.
  • Describe the basic structure of governmental accounting and explain the relationship between accounting and budgeting.
  • Explain how transactions and other events are measured and reported in governmental accounting.
  • Recognize the significance of an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and demonstrate how it may be used to understand an organization’s financial condition.

CPE Credits: 1.5

View GFOA On-Demand Learning and Expectations and Requirements


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