# Assessing Financial-Related Activities and Controls Course (Self-Paced)

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/assessing-financial-related-activities-and-controls-course-self-paced>

## Overview

Gain the skills necessary to audit financial-related activities and controls on a systems-procedure and results-outcome basis in accordance with auditing and internal control standards. Learn to plan and conduct audits of eight common financial activities: financial planning and budgeting, cash, receivables, procurement, payables, property management, employee compensation, and financial reporting. Simulated real-world practice is provided with numerous public sector case studies and exercises.

## What you'll learn

- Explain the purpose and operation of financial support activities and the controls generally applicable to these activities.
- Plan a review of financial activities using a "systems-procedure" approach and an "outcome" approach.
- Measure the performance of financial activities.
- Evaluate the application of control activities with respect to planned objectives.
- Identify and detect unauthorized use of resources and illegal and unethical acts.
- Formulate effective recommendations for needed improvements (cure and prevention).

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: A Working Introduction

- Overview of accountability, funding, and budgeting in government
- Federal appropriations law and budget formulation process
- Key principles of financial audits and internal control
- Information technology systems and their role in financial management

#### Module 2: Control Definitions and Concepts

- Understanding internal control standards (GAO Green Book)
- Identifying and assessing risks associated with financial activities
- Evaluating internal control systems through different approaches

#### Module 3: Cash and Fund Control

- Challenges and reforms in government cash management
- Application of budget authority and specific cash handling controls
- Techniques for evaluating and ensuring adequate controls over cash

#### Module 4: Revenues and Receivables

- Sources and methods of collecting government revenues
- Controls specific to revenue collection and accounts receivable
- Analysis of common problems and causes in revenue management

#### Module 5: Procurement and Payables

- Role and organization of procurement within government agencies
- Risks associated with procurement and accounts payable processes
- Specific control activities for managing procurement effectively

#### Module 6: Property Management

- Control objectives and risks related to government property
- Procedures for safeguarding, maintaining, and accounting for assets
- Disaster planning and contingency management

#### Module 7: Employee Compensation

- Payroll processing and management control objectives
- Risks and internal controls associated with payroll activities
- Transaction testing methods to evaluate payroll controls

#### Module 8: Financial Reporting

- Purposes and principles of effective financial reporting
- Requirements and formats for external and internal financial reports
- Ensuring transparency and accountability through financial reporting

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1199