The focus of this course will be on understanding the basic elements of financial management and the role elected officials have in county financial decisions. The various budgeting methods of local governments will be explored with particular emphasis placed on the connection between financial decisions and council policy-making and goal setting. Participants will also discuss the basics of fund accounting, financial audits, and county credit ratings. Lessons learned from the recession, updates on any new or pending rules issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, and new or pending state legislation that will affect county government finances will also be discussed.