Take Control of Your Charter Schools Financial Future
Are you ready to boost your confidence with budgeting, reporting, and financial泭planning? Whether youre managing day-to-day operations or making big-picture decisions, 91勛圖’s Financial Management Courses泭are designed to give you the tools you need to thrive in todays charter school environment.泭
泭for sessions beginning泭Tuesday, Feb.泭17. Attendees can register for individual泭courses泭or the entire program.泭Learn more.泭
**Scholarships are available for state charter school participants.**
Tailored for Charter Schools
Our expert-led virtual training goes beyond theory to focus on the泭real-world financial challenges charter schools face every day. Youll gain practical insights you can apply immediately.
Flexible, Focused Learning
The full certification program consists of six targeted courses, each delivered in泭two convenient 4-hour sessions泭during the same week. Whether you’re looking to sharpen one specific skill or complete the full certification, weve got you covered.
Open to All Charter School Staff & Board Members
From finance professionals to school leaders and board membersno prior finance background required!
100% Online & Easy to Join
Join from anywhere! Once you register, youll receive a Zoom calendar invite with all the login detailsno hassle, no stress.泭 Scholarships are available to schools authorized by the State Charter Schools Commission
Dont waitfinancial leadership starts with the right knowledge.
and start building the financial future your school deserves.
Check Out the Upcoming Course Schedule Below
| Course | Description | Training Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Government Accounting 101 | Participants will understand the basics of accounting, navigate the Georgia Department of Education LUA accounting manual, and learn how to avoid common accounting mistakes. Key topics include the accounting equation, basic financial statement preparation, monthly closing tips, and a review of common accounting transactions. | Tuesday, 2/17 & Wednesday, 2/18 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. |
| QBE Funding & School Budget Development | Participants will gain a comprehensive, big-picture and detailed understanding of the QBE formula and all its input variables, including the funding formula calculation, program weights, FTE counts, allotment sheets, budget services reports from the Georgia Department of Education, and the 18 programs included in the QBE formula. Participants will also learn how to prepare for a successful annual budgeting process, how to budget for state, local, federal, and grant revenue, how to budget for personnel and other expenses, and how to manage the budget to actual performance throughout the year. In addition, the course will cover long-term forecasting and budget policy. | Monday, 3/16 & Wednesday,泭 3/18 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 泭 |
| Foundational & Strategic Fiscal Policy Development, Implementation & Evaluation | Participants will receive a foundational policy framework and learn the basics of policy development, implementation, and evaluation. Policy topics include budget development, budget amendments, internal controls, spending limits and approval requirements, policy development and implementation best practices, and effective policies. Participants will also understand how to align policies with mission and school culture, how to align budgeting policy with strategic planning and forecasting, how to mitigate risk through policy development, how to update policies, and how to monitor ongoing financial performance. | Monday, 4/13 & Wednesday, 4/15 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
Procurement, Payroll & Compensation | Participants will learn best practices for the entire procurement cycle, policy and regulatory implications, the relationship between internal controls and procurement, the RFP process, and best practices. The course also reviews policies and procedures that allow for a sound bidding process. Additional topics include purchasing procedures, billing systems, contract negotiation and execution, and vendor management. Participants will learn about payroll requirements and systems, compensation models and salary scale creation, payroll and compensation policy, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the W-2 process, employee benefits, the Teachers Retirement System of GA (TRS), payroll processing, payroll taxes and remittances, payroll deductions, reporting and recording payroll, internal controls related to payroll, payroll resources, and the benefits of having an HRIS. | Monday, 4/27 & Wednesday, 4/29 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
Internal Controls & Effective Financial Oversight
| Participants will learn to develop and maintain robust internal control structures, systems, and policies to ensure that sound fiscal management practices are in place. Topics include creating a culture of financial discipline, segregation of duties, grant management, travel reimbursement practices, procurement, internal control reviews and sample testing, policies and procedures, risk management, fraud detection, and insurance. Participants will learn how to implement sound systems of financial oversight. Topics include effective board and finance committee management, financial dashboard planning, key financial reports and timing, and fiduciary roles and responsibilities. | Monday, 5/11 & Wednesday, 5/13 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
| Audit Preparation Best Practices | Participants will develop an understanding of the audit process and the audit preparation process. Content includes internal controls, auditor selection, internal audit, financial reporting, audit policy development, common auditor requests, and audit preparation calendar. | Monday, 5/18 & Tuesday, 5/19 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. |
PROGRAM TESTIMONIALS
Each course provided in-depth information that has enlightened my awareness of the duties of a board member, school employee, leadership team, and school leader, as well as the financial aspects of operating a charter school, including federal, state, and local laws in the State of Georgia. I highly recommend the 91勛圖 Financial Management Certification Program.
“I have enjoyed taking the泭courses泭as part of the 91勛圖泭Financial泭Management Certification program.泭As a泭financial泭officer and new employee in the education industry, the泭courses泭provided direction on how to properly manage my school finances as well as a refresher on泭financial泭management standards.泭 The泭courses泭are a great investment.泭泭I will be using the recently learned information on Procurement as a guide when soliciting RFPs for a couple of services.”
-Chiquetta泭West, Director of Finance and Operations, Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School
Im new to the charter school world and found the 91勛圖泭Financial泭Management Certification Program extremely rewarding. The program泭offered泭valuable historical insight and guided you to legal, compliance, and supplemental resources that are useful in ensuring sound泭financial泭oversight for your school. The course is also set up so you can tap into a hidden gem, which is the knowledge and experiences of both the fantastic instructor and fellow attendees through small group exercises. Overall, I believe anyone being a board member, school leader, or bookkeeper will most assuredly benefit from taking this program.
-Olisa Yetman, Principal Accountant, Leadership Preparatory Academy
Being a part of the Charter School泭Financial泭Management Certification Training has provided me with the tools, knowledge, and skillsets needed to be successful. As a member of the accounting and finance department for a local charter school, the value gained from this training is beyond amazing. The focus areas and in-depth discussions made learning and grasping the information more effective. After this training, I feel I have a better understanding and can lead the finance department in a positive direction going forward.泭
-Arnold R. Pierce, Associate, The Wesley Peachtree Group, CPAs
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If an attendee misses a course, they will have the opportunity to complete it again in the next semester. Following each of the six required courses, attendees must take and pass an exam (with a score of 75% or higher) to earn their certification. Participants have up to three years to take and pass all exams to earn certification.
Contact:
Leslie Gabbianelli
Chief Operating Officer
lgabbianelli@gacharters.org
Pricing:
Each individual course costs $300 per person and you or your school will be billed upon registration.泭
Scholarships are available to SCSC authorized schools.
Registration:
To register, please complete this .泭