Best Practices in Budget Development and Analysis



Benefits

In difficult fiscal times many budget officers and municipal managers begin the process by a rather simple approach: 'Revenues are down 10%, we need to cut the budget by 10%'. Then they wait for the battles to begin, internally with department heads, externally with council members and other public stakeholders. This live audio conference will provide budget preparers with a comprehensive framework for preparing the budget to meet the realities of revenue constraints, set priorities, build consensus, and avoid unproductive budget negotiations. You will learn how to invest your time upfront to gather the data and other information, as well as use effective tools to analyze, prepare and propose an effective budget that meets the fiscal and policy objectives of your governmental unit.

Agenda

In Difficult Financial Times It Is Critical to Set Fiscal and Consensus Building Framework Prior to Building and Presenting the Budget
  • Analyze Historic Revenue Performance Against Historic Expenditure Performance
  • Identify Your True Baseline Budget
  • Don't Forget to Include Operational Impacts From Capital Improvement Plan
Build Internal Consensus for Your Budget Priorities
  • Create a Fiscal Framework or Big Budget Fence
  • Build a Relationship With Department Heads Using Data to Support the Discussion
  • Establish Budget Priorities Based on First Dollar of Revenue, e.g., First Dollar Goes to Unavoidable Expenses Such as Baseline Salaries
  • Establish Priorities Any New Revenue Over Current Baseline
Build External Stakeholder Consensus Around Budget Priorities
  • Meet With Council Members Before Finalizing Budget, e.g., Hold a Budget Retreat
  • Use Objective Sources of Information to Support Your Case for Revenues, Expenditures, Reserves, etc.
  • Be Flexible, Prepare Best and Worst Case Scenarios and Their Impacts on the Budget and Reserves

Speaker and Presenter Information

Herschel Frierson Senior manager in the Public Sector Services unit of Crowe Horwath LLP located in Indianapolis, Indiana Bert Nuehring Partner in the Public Sector Services unit of Crowe Horwath LLP located in Chicago, Illinois

    Event Type
    Webcast


    This event has no exhibitor/sponsor opportunities


    When
    Mon, Jul 25, 2011, 1:00pm - 2:30pm


    Cost

    Live Audio Conference:  $199.00
    Live Audio Conference + CD:  $268.00
    CD/Manual Package Only:  $199.00


    Website
    Click here to visit event website


    Organizer
    Lorman Education Services


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