Introduction to Local Government Accounting

Participants must attend both 3-hour sessions to earn a course certificate.

PLEASE NOTE: This course is designed to be interactive to give you the best learning experience possible. It will be conducted via Zoom. You will need to be able to: Raise your hand, mute/unmute, use chat.

Description:

Whether you’re new to local government finance or looking to sharpen your skills, this course equips you with the essential tools to maintain fiscal accountability, transparency, and regulatory compliance.

Participants will explore the principles of fund accounting and gain practical knowledge of the DCED Chart of Accounts, a critical tool for maintaining standardized financial records across Pennsylvania’s local governments.

Through hands-on instruction and real-world examples, you’ll learn the fundamentals of bookkeeping, navigate key accounting cycles, and master techniques in financial reporting. Special focus is given to detailed guidance on submitting accurate data via the DCED-CLGS-30 form.

The course concludes with an introduction to GASB 34, highlighting its role in annual financial reports and the preparation of audited financial statements in accordance with standards.

Audience:

• Auditors
• Municipal Secretaries
• Treasurers
• Clerks
• Administrators
• Managers
• Elected/Appointed Officials

Topics:

• Basics of Bookkeeping
• Accounting Cycles
• Fund Accounting
• DCED Chart of Accounts
• Financial reporting
• Reporting under DCED-CLGS-30
• Basics of GASB 34 annual financial reporting (audited financial statements)

At the end of this course, you can expect to be able to:

• Explain the principles of fund accounting as they apply to local government financial operations
• Identify the structure and purpose of the DCED Chart of Accounts for standardized financial recordkeeping
• Apply basic bookkeeping practices across key accounting cycles within the local government context
• Prepare financial reports, including accurate submissions using the DCED-CLGS-30 form
• Interpret the role and requirements of GASB 34 in developing annual financial reports and audited statements
• Demonstrate fiscal accountability through transparent and regulatory-compliant financial reporting method

By registering for this course, you are authorizing the League Learning Academy to forward information to you at your email address related to educational offerings.

Once your registration is completed, you should receive a confirmation email from The PA Municipal League. Please review when received. If you do not receive an email, it may be in your spam folder.

CANCELLATION & NO SHOW POLICY:
Cancellation must be received in writing to lla@pml.org within 72 hours prior to a class to be considered for a full refund.

If cancellation is received after the 72-hour window, a processing fee will be applied for a portion of the refund.

Those who do not cancel or attend forfeit the full registration fee.