California Local Budgeting - Part 1

A CSMFO Core Course

9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 24 & Thursday, September 25, 2025

The California Local Budgeting Course welcomes all local government professionals who would like to gain a better understanding of the role that budgeting plays in financial management. This introductory course is comprised of two separate 3-hour modules:

Module One:  Foundations of Budget Management will be the broadest, providing an overview of budgeting in government, types of government budgets, accounting for budget analysts, and budget’s relationship to long-term financial planning.

Overview of Module One:  Foundation of Budget Management

• Section 1 – What is a Budget?
• Section 2 – Types of Budgets
• Section 3 – Accounting for Budget Analysts
• Section 4 – Integration of Planning Documents

Module Two:  Building the Budget will delve into best practices for the budget process, personnel budgeting, non-personnel, revenue, expenditures and capital projects and debt.

Overview of Module Two:  Building the Budget

• Section 1 – Budget Philosophy, Planning and Direction
• Section 2 – Revenues
• Section 3 – Expenditures and Capital Projects

These two modules are led by experts in the field and provide a detailed overview of how public agency budgets work. The content is designed for individuals who are newer to the public sector field of finance.

This class is limited to 60 participants.  Advance registration is required for this class.

THIS COURSE IS LIMITED TO 60 ATTENDEES, SO REGISTER TODAY!

Course Objectives:

1. Understand the fundamentals of budgeting for California local government;
2. Learn about how to implement budgeting concepts; and
3. Hear about resources that can help you learn more.

Dates:

Module One: Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Module Two: Thursday, September 25, 2025, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Presenters:

• David Cain, Retired Director of Finance, City of Fountain Valley
• Scott Catlett, Director, Eide Bailly
• Russ Branson, Founder, Russ Branson Consulting

Audience:

• Local government finance professionals

Continuing Professional Education:  Attendees earn 6 hours of CPE Credit (Technical) by attending all sessions.  Attendees must attend all sessions to obtain CPE credit.

Cost:  $200 for CSMFO members

           $260 for non-CSMFO members

Not a member?  Consider joining CSMFO today!  Click here to join.