Spring 2019 - 60310 - PA 391-Public Financial Management

Public Financial Management

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of public financial management at all levels of government. Its objective is to develop student capabilities in the analysis of finance-related policies and the management of public sector financial resources.  The course will cover the principles of finance, economics, accounting and fiscal administration.  A major part of the course will be devoted to understanding the basic financial reports of governments – their budgets and their annual reports.  Other topics include taxes and other revenues, bonds and other forms of debt,  investments, capital budgeting, performance evaluation and auditing. 

The course format will primarily be lectures, but extensive student interaction is expected. It will require reading and written assignments prior to each class meeting.  There will be a short quiz, a mid-semester exam and a final.

Inasmuch as a substantial portion of the course focuses on financial statements, students will be at a decided advantage of they come to the course with understanding of fundamental concepts of accounting.  To this end, if students do not have a background in accounting (e.g. have never had an accounting course) they are strongly advised to take a computer-based course in the subject prior to the start of classes.  Details about the course will be available in late November.

Required text:  Government and Not-for-Profit Accounting, by Granof, Khumawala, Calabrese and Smith (Custom edition for this course)