Public Budgeting and Financial Management

This course is an introduction to how government and non-profit organizations collect, spend, borrow and invest public money. It covers the fundamentals of government and non-profit accounting; public sector cost accounting; capital budgeting and debt management for public organizations; and the processes and politics of public budgeting. Students will learn tools and techniques to analyze financial statements, prepare cost estimates, benchmark public organizations' financial performance, and inform management and policy decision-making. Class exercises and assignments focus on applying tools and concepts through case studies and analysis of current events. This course is an opportunity for students to apply and extend many skills developed in the core curriculum, including data analysis, benefit-cost analysis, and program evaluation.