This syllabus is subject to change without notice. Contact the professor for most recent changes.

 

F:mydocs/courses/651/webvers

Minnesota State University, Mankato

URSI 651, Urban Finance Systems  Fall 2004

Urban & Regional Studies Institute

 Tuesday 6-8:45 p.m.

                                                                                                                                                         

Instructor:

Dr. “J” Cherrington, 106 b Morris Hall              Fax” (507)389-6377 (attn: Dr. “J”)

Office Phone: 389-5031                                                               E-mail: janet.cherrington@mnsu.edu

Office Hours:  These are posted on my office door or on my website.

                                                                                                       www.intech.mnsu.edu/cherrington

Texts/etc.:

Required:  

Class Packet for URBS 651 (availability announced 1st class)

Bland, Robert L. and Rubin, Irene S.. Budgeting: A Guide for Local Governments, 1997, International City/County Management Assn.

Ruled accounting paper (2-column and 8-column) available in bookstore.

3-ring binder.

 

Course Goal:

 

This course is designed for both practitioners as well as for students of urban and regional planning, city management, and the nonprofit sector.  Extensive emphasis is placed on sound financial management that starts with basic double-entry and fund accounting, then builds on fiscal reporting Government Finance Officers Assn (GSOA) standards, and finishes with accurate revenue/expense budget forecasting.  A governmental numerical system (or chart-of-accounts) for classifying financial transactions, based on Governmental Acctg. & Financial Reporting standards and Nat’l Manual on Acctg. Stds., is demonstrated through class assignments.

 

Student Learning Outcomes:  By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  1. Apply basic accounting principles.
  2. Apply Fund accounting principles.
  3. Classify financial transaction by Fund, Account group prefix numbers using a GAFR Chart of Accounts classification system.
  4. Understand fiscal reporting, e.g., the difference between a Balance Sheet and an Income Statement and what each tells.
  5. Understand principles of GASB accounting.
  6. Understand the budget design, preparation and adoption process.
  7. Understand budgeting as a policy making and management tool.
  8. Understand alternative approaches to budgeting, their advantages and disadvantages.
  9. Understand the interrelationship of budgeting and strategic planning.
  10. Understand approaches to capital improvement, financing options and legal compliance.
  11. Use presentation software in ways to present technical information that nonspecialists can comprehend.

 

Personal Skill Development Goals:  In addition to the specific course outcomes, there are 4 additional goals that are most common to all other URSI graduate courses at MSU.  They are:

·        to develop your creative and critical thinking powers in addressing problems and opportunities.

·        to develop your personal communication skills, both written and oral.

·        to improve your ability to work and interact with others in a team approach.

·        to improve your understanding and use of technology.

 

Instructional Methodology & Teaching Strategies:  A variety of techniques will be used throughout the semester including small group discussions, lecture, guest speakers, and student presentations.  Local government practitioner guest speakers, coupled with applied analysis, will provide a comprehensive approach for developing the skills necessary to understand urban finance systems.  My teaching style is based on an “adult centered” model wherein students are active participants responsible for their own learning.  I act as a facilitator and a resource to engage you in a meaningful academic experience. 

 

Instructor Policies: 

All written assignments must be prepared in duplicate and typewritten (unless ruled accounting paper is otherwise noted).  One copy should be submitted at the start of class, the other should remain with you to refer to during class discussion. Staple multiple pages together and consecutively number them.  Each page should have your name, section no., assignment description, and date submitted in the upper right corner.  Keep your returned copies in your course notebook with your original submission.   Calculators may be used for computation in-class and during examinations.