On-Site CGFM Training Program Course Descriptions

Course 1: Governmental Environment
Course 2: Governmental Accounting, Financial Reporting and Budgeting
Course 3: Governmental Financial Management and Control

Course 1: Governmental Environment

This course describes the unique aspects of government and how those aspects differ from the private sector and nonprofit organizations. It is designed for accountants, auditors, budget professionals and controllers in government as well as academics and other professionals who have an interest in government. It is particularly appropriate for newly hired professionals.

Upon completing this course, you will have an understanding of:

how governments are organized and structured;
the legally-based implications of government financial environment;
the importance of the budget in government;
the management cycle, and how the various stages are interrelated;
how governments are financed;
the role and structure of taxes;
the purposes for issuing debt;
what it means to be publicly accountable;
the importance of ethics in government;
electronic services in government.

Course Content

The course consists of the following chapters:

Organization and structure of government.
Legal foundations of the government financial environment.
Government management cycle.
Governmental financing process.
Public accountability.
Ethics in government.
Electronic services in government.

Program level: Basic
Delivery method: Group internet-based (virtual)
Course prerequisite: None
Advance prep: Review the CGFM examinations content outlines
CPE credit: 8
Field of study: Finance

Course 2: Governmental Accounting, Financial Reporting and Budgeting

This course covers the general principles of governmental accounting, financial reporting and budgeting. It also covers the unique aspects of accounting and reporting for the federal government as well as state and local governments. It is designed for accountants, auditors, budget professionals and controllers in government as well as academics and other professionals who have an interest in government. It is particularly appropriate for newly hired professionals.

Upon completing this course, you will have an understanding of:

the characteristics and differences of the government environment that necessitate the unique accounting and financial reporting;
the process of setting accounting and financial reporting standards for government entities;
the bases of accounting and measurement focuses used by governments;
fiscal accountability;
exchange and nonexchange transactions;
the uses of cost accounting in government;
budgeting in government;
accounting and reporting in state and local governments, including:
- determining the financial reporting entity;
- fund accounting and reporting;
- governmentwide accounting and reporting;
- accounting and reporting for specific transactions.
accounting and reporting for the federal government, including:
- federal budgeting;
- budgetary accounting;
- federal financial accounting foundations;
- the federal financial statements, notes, and supplementary reporting;
- accounting and reporting for specific transactions.

Course Content

The course consists of the following chapters:

General discussion of accounting, financial reporting and budgeting in government
a. Influences, concepts of financial reporting and standards-setting.
b. Cost accounting.
c. Budgeting.
d. General principles.
Accounting and reporting for state and local governments
a. Accounting standards and financial reporting.
b. Fund accounting and reporting.
c. Government-wide financial reporting.
d. Accounting and reporting for specific asset and liability transactions.
e. Revenue, expenditure/expense and other operating statement transactions.
Federal budgeting and financial reporting.
a. Federal budgeting.
b. Federal budgetary accounting.
c. Federal financial accounting and reporting foundations.
d. Federal financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis.
e. Federal financial accounting standards and illustrations.

Program level: Intermediate
Delivery method: Group internet-based (virtual)
Course prerequisite: None
Advance prep: Review the CGFM examinations content outlines
CPE credit: 21
Field of study: Accounting (Governmental)

Course 3: Governmental Financial Management and Control

This course covers various financial management functions and controls required of government financial managers, including internal control, auditing, performance measurement, financial analysis techniques and specific financial management practices used in government. It is designed for accountants, auditors, budget professionals and controllers in government as well as academics and other professionals who have an interest in government. It is particularly appropriate for newly hired professionals.

Upon completing this course, you will have an understanding of:

the basics of cash management and investment management;
managing credit programs and collecting government debts;
procurement in government;
inventory and supply management systems;
financial management systems;
applying various financial and managerial analysis techniques;
objectives of internal control, including GAO and COSO objectives;
considerations and risks involving internal control;
how to apply internal controls;
the responsibilities of management and auditors for internal control;
components of internal control;
evaluating internal controls;
objectives and uses of performance measures;
elements and characteristics of performance measures;
types of government audits and their objectives;
standards for auditors and audits;
the responsibilities of management and auditors in the audit process;
components of the Single Audit Act.

Course Content

The course consists of the following chapters:

Financial management functions.
a. Cash management.
b. Investment management.
c. Credit management.
d. Acquisition management (including procurement).
e. Property management.
f. Inventory and supply management.
g. Financial management systems.
Financial and managerial analysis techniques.
Internal controls.
a. The legal and regulatory history of internal controls.
b. The framework of internal controls.
c. Management responsibilities.
d. Auditor responsibilities.
Performance measurement/service efforts and accomplishments.
a. The rationale for performance measurement.
b. Types, characteristics and limitations of performance measures.
c. The history of performance measures, including current requirements and guidance.
Auditing.
a. What is an audit?
b. The audit process.
c. Other audit issues.