Training

The Association places special emphasis on providing quality low-cost practical training in governmental finance, budgeting and accounting. MGFOA courses are developed and taught by public finance specialists, and members frequently serve as speakers and trainers in many of our programs. The MGFOA also collaborates with other associations to offer high level educational classes.  MGFOA Training Levels

Fall Conference - The Association’s principal annual event is the Fall Institute. The two and one-half day conference is focused on providing concentrated training on accounting, investments, budgeting, technology and other topics of interest to governmental finance professionals. During the Institute, the Association holds its annual meeting, which includes election and installation of its new officers. The MGFOA Executive Board oversees the conference presentations.

Spring Seminar - The Spring Seminar is held in Lansing each year as a one-day session to provide the membership with updates on legislative, economic, managerial and government finance topics. For 2011 the MGFOA is pleased to offer a combined conference with the Michigan Municipal Treasurer's Association. The MGFOA Executive Board oversees the seminar presentations.

Classes - Half and full day classes geared to specific topics. The MGFOA Professional Development Committee oversees the content and delivery of the class course material. Courses are offered at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels to meet the varying needs of the participants. The MGFOA presents a series of recurring classes on a regularly scheduled basis.

  • Back to Basics. Training Level 100.
    The MGFOA is proud to offer a package of three one-day seminars designed for practitioners in the field of public finance who are responsible for the accounting and budgeting functions in their governmental units. Participants must have had basic accounting and bookkeeping training to enroll in this program.
    Certificates of completion will be awarded to participants who successfully complete the series of three seminars within two years. Each seminar qualifies for six (6) CPE or .6 CEU credits. The CPE credits qualify for governmental accounting and auditing.
  • Wraps 'N Synapse. Training Level 100.
    Overview of a specific topic presented over 3 hours. Includes lunch. Topics will change from year to year. 'Internal Controls' is the 2011 topic.
  • Advanced Accounting. Training Level 300/400.
    This course will be an advanced session; it will be assumed that attendees have substantial knowledge and significant experience with governmental accounting and financial reporting. Topics will start at a high level and take a deep dive into the accounting theories underlying the concepts to be discussed.
  • Advanced Debt Management. Training Level 200/300.
    This one day seminar is entitled “Planning, Sale & Administration of Municipal Debt.”  The seminar is designed for local officials and practitioners in the field of public finance who are involved in the debt administration of their governmental unit.
  • Advanced Budgeting and Forecasting. Training Level 300/400.
    This advanced financial management session is designed to explore advanced techniques for effective budgeting and forecasting.  Attendees should expect to learn “best practices” which should enhance the overall effectiveness of the entities budget development and management process.
  • Advanced Payroll and Labor Issues. Training Level 300/400.
    This course is designed to review the unique rules and challenges for local governments and how to manage and account for them. Attendees should expect to learn in depth areas of federal regulations with emphasis on the Fair Labor Standards Act as well as identify measures management should take to position themselves positively upon a governmental agency audit.

Elected Official Training - the MGFOA 20 minute 'Government Finance - Sound Bites to Remember' training presentation is available for group presentations. Currently the MGFOA presents this topic as part of the Michigan Municipal League's outreach program to newly elected officials.

Executive Director
Colleen Coogan
executive@MiGFOA.org

Announcements

  • Membership for 2011-2012 now open

Committee Highlights

  • Fiscal Stress Committee

    Committee’s work is complete but continues to supply information as needed to outside organizations

    Chair - Denise Hammond, MGFOA Honorary Life Member
    Supplied list of important topics for new Emergency Managers to review.  Presented findings at MTA Auditor Institute Jan 2012

  • Legislative Committee

    Chair - Catherine McClary, Washtenaw County
    Monitoring 2011-2012 introduced legislation and recently formed subcommittee to address personal property taxation issue with results sent to state.

  • Mentoring & Membership Committee

    Chair - Tim Haney, City of St. Clair Shores
    Continuing to evaluate active and expiring memberships.

  • Professional Development Committee

    Chair - Tom Colis, Miller Canfield Paddock & Stone PLC
    Finalized the March 2012 Advanced Accounting and Oct 2012 Advanced Debt day long classes and exploring a class on Grant Accounting and Reporting and an Introduction class for new MGFOA members and those new to government finance.

  • Standards Committee

    Chair - Joe Heffernan, Plante & Moran PLLC
    Monitoring all GASB exposure drafts: Recently this includes discussions and responses on Pension Reporting (amending GASB 25 & 27);  Reporting of Items Previously Recognized as Assets and Liabilities and reviewing the GASB Proposal: Financial Projections for Assessing Economic Condition of Governments.

  • Strategic Planning Committee

    Chair - Mike O'Connell, Wayne Co. Dept. of Management & Budget
    Refining MGFOA's role in long-term leadership issues, both internally and externally and evaluating the Executive Director position.

  • Technology Resource Committee

    Chair - Mark Warner, Plante & Moran PLLC
    Implementing plans to increase member awareness of and better leverage website forums.