4Finance

Governmental Accounting Basics

• 08/28/2023
• 01:00 p.m. - 05:00 p.m.
• 12 hours

• 08/29/2023
• 08:00 a.m. - 05:00 p.m.

Course Description

This active 1½ day course provides an introduction to the basics of accounting and financial reporting for governmental entities. Participants will gain a working knowledge of fund types and categories and learn how to record routine transactions for governmental activities. Internal controls as they apply to the accounting cycle and good accounting practice will be emphasized throughout the course. The session emphasizes hands-on practice in the accounting cycle process, from recording a transaction to preparing financial statements. Participants will leave the course with a more complete understanding of accounting terminology, the recording process, the role played by reconciliations, and the preparation of financial statements. No advanced accounting knowledge is necessary.

What You Will Learn

Identify the audit requirements applicable to governments.

• Identify the financial statements for a governmental entity.
• Understand the accounting equation and how accounting transactions affect the equation.
• Follow transactions through the entire accounting cycle, from analyzing, recording, posting, to preparing a trial balance and constructing financial statements.
• Understand basic concepts of internal control as they apply to the accounting cycle and good accounting practice.
• Prepare and interpret basic financial ratios.

Who Should Attend?

APIPA conference sessions are intended for island government accountability professionals.  Audit, budget, finance, accounting, and related management and staff members will find interest and value in this presentation.

Instructors