MMTCTA's Accounting 101 for Governments

Sponsored by: Maine Tax Collectors & Treasurers Association
Date: 4/16/2025 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Location: Augusta Civic Center, 76 Community Dr, Augusta, ME 04330 (In person ONLY)
Time: Registration: 8:30 am-9:00 am / Workshop: 9:00 am-3:30 pm
Presenter(s): Gwen R. Bedell Gadbois, CPA, CFE, doctoral candidate
Cost: MMTCTA Members: $55 | Non-Members: $85 (Fee includes continental breakfast, coffee, lunch & workshop materials)

Training for: Assessor, Clerk, Elected Officials, Finance, Planning, Tax Collector & Treasurer, MMTCTA

Presenter
Gwen R. Bedell Gadbois, CPA, CFE, doctoral candidate, has over 25 years in the accounting industry, with extensive experience in financial, managerial, governmental, nonprofit, and forensic accounting and fraud examinations. Gwen is currently the Coordinator of Business Administration programming at the University of Maine at Augusta, where she teaches accounting full-time and operates a small consulting firm, Bedell Gadbois & Associates, PLLC, that provides mobile, on-demand accounting services. Gwen started her career in a forensic accounting firm specializing in audits, then moved on to serving as a CFO for a regional nonprofit, a large municipal school district, and a private for-profit energy marketer. By continuing to practice in the field today in a variety of roles supporting local government agencies and nonprofits, Gwen can marry textbook concepts with real-world applications that demonstrate how a basic knowledge of governmental accounting will improve workplace accuracy and transparency in reporting. Gwen’s passion for accounting has been featured in various media outlets, including television appearances, radio interviews, live presentations, and print media.

Who Should Attend
Municipal staff that perform accounting transactions and may participate in planning, budgeting, reporting, and auditing.

Course Description
This workshop will provide an a) introduction to accounting including the accounting equation, b) building the chart of accounts, c) how accounts flow into the financial statements, d) how to record individual transactions, e) the importance of balancing debits and credits, f) the types of funds applicable to governmental units, g) the flow of information between the four financial statements, h) preparing a budgeting, i) how to conduct performance assessments, j) setting up a sound internal control structure to prevent/detect/deter fraud, and k) participating in the annual audit. By engaging in hands-on activities using actual local agencies and hypothetical situations, participants will develop real-world practice in executing the most critical parts of the governmental accounting process.

Course Topics
What is Governmental Accounting?
Governmental accounting is the basis of all financial recording and reporting applications for local, state, and federal government agencies. It sets the rules for recording revenues and expenditures. Let’s explore the fundamentals of accounting: the accounting equation, the different types of funds, the debits and credits, and the primary financial statements, and how they all come together to paint a picture of governmental performance.

How does Governmental Accounting Affect my Role?
Data entered into the accounting system ultimately determines how well the financial statements reflect what happened. Transparency is of the utmost importance. You play a pivotal role in ensuring data accuracy and that financial reports are reliable and timely. The annual audit reflects operations results, including an assessment of actual-to-budget performance and the effectiveness of internal controls.

 

Cancellation:
Cancellations must be submitted using this Cancellation form to cancel your registration for an event. Cancellations received before 4/10/25 will be assessed a $15 administrative fee for processing. Cancellations received on/after 4/10/25 will be charged 50% of the course fee. Any registrant who does not attend and does not cancel their registration (i.e., no-show) and any cancellation received the day of the event will be charged the full registration fee. Registration substitutions are permitted for registrants within the same municipality/organization and will be assessed a $15 substitution fee. Please email [email protected] to request a registration substitution. Registration transfers to a future training offering are not permitted.

Certification: Participants must check in at the beginning of the course. If you do not pick up your certificate after the class, you will not receive credit for attending. For attendees who must leave early for emergency situations; a determination will be made by the Professional Development Committee of the Executive Board as to the nature of the emergency and whether a sufficient portion of the course was covered to warrant certification credit. *Any member whose certification expires must attain their original certification again.

Disclaimer: Educational courses and materials offered by the Maine Municipal Tax Collectors’ and Treasurers’ Association, including but not limited to its partners, affiliates, vendors, sponsors, instructors and/or staff are provided for general informational and educational purposes only. None of the educational activities and supplementary documentation is provided as specific legal advice.

Membership: Interested in joining MMTCTA for only $30.00/yr? Visit our website at www.mmtcta.org for membership application.

 

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