On Demand: Governmental Accounting Essentials Program

The Governmental Accounting Essentials (GAE), is a professional development program that provides training in the basic areas of governmental accounting:

• Fund Accounting, Accounts, Debits and Credits.
• Accounting Journals and Ledgers.
• The Budget Process.
• The Accounting Process.
• Month End Reconciliations and Analysis and Year End Closing Process.
• The Annual Financial Report (AFR and ST-3).

Governmental accounting is a unique form of accounting with specific procedures and regulations that govern how taxpayer funds are to be recorded and reported.  The GAE will introduce you to the most basic and essential components of governmental accounting. Although some familiarity with accounting would be helpful, this course is designed primarily for those with limited or no governmental accounting or bookkeeping experience. 

Is this you?  Then the GAE program would be beneficial to you, your department, and your employer.

• Clerk, treasurer, bookkeeper, accountant/accounting staff, comptroller, finance officer, non-finance department staff.
• Governing board or council member.
• Someone whose primary tasks do not involve accounting but who seeks to expand their knowledge of the intricacies of governmental accounting.

Most individuals who work in governmental accounting usually start without prior bookkeeping, governmental accounting, or governmental finance education or experience. With proper training, local government finance staff and leadership can be more confident that their financial reporting follows New York State laws and regulations and ensure that their procedures for processing and documenting financial transactions are transparent and sound.

Participation in this course will:

• Increase your base of knowledge.
• Provide you with resources and contacts for future reference.
• Enhance your professional growth.
• Demonstrate your commitment to continued professional development.

The GAE program was developed by NYGFOA members who are among the State’s most experienced government finance professionals representing various types and levels of government as well as private sector accounting, auditing and financial advisory firms with years of experience working with individuals without any formal governmental accounting education or training.
 

The GAE was recently redesigned and recorded to be offered as an On Demand program so you can view and re-watch the various modules at your convenience.

3 GFI Credits

All OnDemand webinars are eligible for Government Finance Institute (GFI) credit. After watching the OnDemand webinar, you will need to complete a quiz and return it to earn credit.

*You must be enrolled in the Government Finance Institute (GFI) program to earn GFI credit.  Not enrolled?  Click Here for more details!

Please note: this program was originally recorded in 2024. This is a purchased on demand recording and can be watched whenever regardless of the date listed on the confirmation page.