Frequently Asked Questions about Curriculum

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FAQs

Why did the School of Government adopt a new finance curriculum?

Answer:

Finance is the cornerstone of most local government and public authority operations. Issues related to how a unit can, and should, raise, budget, manage, and expend public funds cut across multiple departments within a unit and affect many local government and public authority officials and employees, including elected officials, managers, finance officials, department heads, and others.

The new finance curriculum is anchored by a new flagship course—Introduction to Local Government Finance. This course provides a survey of the legal, strategic and practical requirements surrounding local government finance and financial management. The intended audience for this course is all local government officials and employees who manage, supervise, or oversee any aspect of local government finance.

In addition to the flagship course, the new curriculum offers more advanced courses in six different content areas. These courses delve into the nuances of specific local government finance topics. And, the courses typically are tailored to targeted participants, based on current or anticipated job responsibilities.

Finally, the new curriculum features periodic special topic courses on current or emerging issues in local government finance and financial management. The intended audiences for these courses vary depending on the topic and nature of the course.

Who should take the Introduction to Local Government Finance Course?

Answer:

The introductory course is recommended for all state and local government, and public authority, officials and employees with direct responsibility, or oversight responsibility, raising, budgeting, managing, and expending public funds. The course is intended to provide a survey of a variety of topics related to local government and public authority finance. Most government officials and employees—specifically elected officials, managers, department heads, finance officers, and other finance employees—will benefit from participation in this survey course.

Must I take the Introduction to Local Government Finance Course in order to take any of the more advanced courses in the local government finance curriculum?

Answer:

The introductory course is a suggested, but not required, prerequisite for most of the advanced and special topic finance courses offered by the School of Government. Each of the courses offered in each of the six content areas presumes a level of knowledge commensurate with participation in the introductory course.

Does the School of Government offer a finance certification upon completion of the new finance curriculum?

Answer:

No. The School of Government does not offer a certification program in local government finance. For information on the various professional associations’ certification program requirements click here.

If I have already completed the course requirements for my Association’s certification requirements do I need to take any courses from the new curriculum?

Answer:

The School of Government does not determine what finance courses must be completed to satisfy a professional association’s certification requirements. Each professional association sets its own certification requirements. For information on a particular professional association’s current certification requirements—including required School of Government finance courses (if any)—click here.

Are the courses in each of the six content areas sequential (that is, do they build upon one another such that I should take them in a specific order)?

Answer:

Most of the courses offered in each of the six content areas are not sequential. A local government or public authority official or employee may choose to take only those courses that are appropriate for his or her job current or future job responsibilities. A few of the courses do have required prerequisites. Any prerequisites are listed on the individual course webpages. Note that the introductory course is a suggested, but not required, prerequisite for most of the finance courses offered by the School of Government.

Public Officials - Local and State Government Roles

Elected Officials

Tax and Finance Officials

Managers and Supervisors

Department Heads

Topics - Local and State Government

Local Government Finance

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