Learn how to prepare and implement a local government budget.

Introductory Budget is an online, self-study course developed by the University of Georgia. You can complete the course at your own pace, on your own schedule. As you progress through each of the lessons, you will be challenged with end-of-lesson quizzes and interactive exercises. 

Snapshot

Format: Online

Hours: 11

Credits: 1.1 CEUs / 11.5 CPEs

When: Start anytime

Cost: $369 - $409

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This course will familiarize you with an overview of the budget process. You will also learn the different types of budgets, the components of a budget, and how to prepare a budget summary.

In six lessons, you will learn:

  • Types of budgets and their components
  • Budget system elements
  • How to prepare revenue estimates and budget summaries
  • Financial forecasting/estimating revenues
  • The process of creating, implementing and monitoring a budget
  • How to establish budgetary controls and budgets for contingencies
  • Local government action on the budget
  • Operating with the Budget
  • And more!

Lesson 1 — Budget Overview

  • Recall the definition of a budget and key terms related to the budget process.
  • Recognize laws that govern the budget process.
  • Identify the correlation between the government’s mission and the budget process.
  • Summarize an overview of the budget teams including roles and responsibilities.
  • Identify the common characteristics of a good budget.

Lesson 2 —Budget Elements

  • Recite the definition of a balanced budget.
  • Explain the legal level control.
  • Recall different types of budgets.
  • Recite the funds used in the budgeting process.
  • Recognize the organizational structure of a budget and
  • Discuss supplemental budget information including nonfinancial content.

Lesson 3 — Budget Policy

  • Discuss the importance of a budget policy
  • Identify elements of a well-designed budget policy
  • Identify steps involved with creating, training and updating a budget policy.
  • Analyze the level of fund balance

Lesson 4 — Budget Preparation Process

  • Recall the elements of a successful budget process
  • Explain the purpose of a budget calendar
  • Create an effective budget calendar
  • Identify political considerations during the budget process
  • Identify sources for establishing priorities
  • Examine the millage rate process as a component of estimating revenues
  • Identify components needed for effective forms, position control and software utilization
  • Identify trends for effective citizen engagement and legal public notices
  • Recall the property tax cycle
  • Name the key players in the property tax process.
  • Identify the steps in calculating the millage rate and apply it to a digest to determine revenue projections

Lesson 5 — Monitoring the Operating Budget

  • Recall the importance of monitoring the budget
  • Identify methods for establishing spending controls
  • Establish reporting processes to monitor the budget
  • Explain the use of contingencies to maintain budgetary compliance
  • Determine the appropriate use of budget transfers and amendments
  • Identify surpluses and deficits and their impact on fund balances
  • Identify common features of budgeting software to assist in the monitoring of the budget.
  • Recite the importance of components of structure and project coding for presentation of larger budget projects and key expenditures

Lesson 6 — Budgetary Internal Control

  • Identify components of internal controls as established by the Government Accountability Office
  • Identify the 17 principles supporting the five components.
  • Identify specific internal controls supporting the budget cycle.

Who Should Attend?

  • Local governmental employees who require knowledge of the local government budget process.
  • Local government employees who seek to meet requirements of their state's Local Government Finance Officer Certification Program.
  • Professionals with private sector experience who want to gain knowledge of the governmental budgeting process.
  • Accounting professionals preparing for the CPA exam or seeking continuing professional education. 

Course Information

Course Number: 

0890-001

Course Date Info: 
  • Enroll at any time.
  • Complete the course's required online quizzes and exercises within 30 days of receiving the "Welcome" email with the course URL, username and password information.
  • To complete this course, you will read the lessons and complete each lesson's exercises and quizzes and earn a 100% score. You can retake the quiz as many times as you desire; you must score 100% before you can take the next lesson’s quiz. At Lesson Six, you must also successfully complete an online final examination with a score of 70% or better.
  • View Frequently Asked Questions for more details about the course.

Field of Study: Finance
Delivery Method: QAS Self Study
Advance Preparation: None
Program Level: Basic
Prerequisites: None

Course format: 

Online

Course Fee(s): 

$369 (US Funds) — Residents of Georgia
$409 (US Funds) — Non-residents of Georgia
$50 (US Funds) — One-Month Extension (Only one extension is granted per participant.) 

Prepayment is required to be registered. Prices listed are per person. Prices are subject to change. 

Cancellation/Refund Policy:
If you have not accessed the online course at all, you may request a refund minus a $50 cancellation fee. Requests must be sent to student@georgiacenter.uga.edu no later than seven (7) days after the issuance of your course access information.