Comprehensive Education

Gain in-depth knowledge about school board financial oversight

Practical Insights

Learn from real-world scenarios and case studies

Expert Guidance

Receive guidance from industry professionals and experienced educators

Meet the Instructors

Hi, we are Robert N. Brown Jr. CPA, CFE and Jason F. Sharpe former RSU 22 School Board member and SVP Bank of America and we are thrilled to share our combined expertise in financial oversight with you. With years of experience in the education sector, we understand the challenges faced by school boards. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the financial landscape of your school district successfully.

About the Course

This course is specifically crafted to educate School Board Members, Administrators, and the Public on the critical role of school boards in ensuring sound financial management within a School District. Dive deep into financial oversight principles, strategies, and best practices to make informed decisions that positively impact educational institutions. Join us to enhance your understanding and contribute effectively to your school's financial health.

Course Curriculum

10 Chapters · 134 Lessons

  1. 1

    Introduction to School Board Financial Oversight

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      📜 Disclaimer and Legal Notice

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction and Course Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The Role of the School Board in Financial Oversight

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The Role of the School Board in Financial Oversight Knowledge Check

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Legal and Ethical Responsibilities in Financial Oversight

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Legal & Ethical Responsibilities in Financial Oversight Knowledge Check

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      The Finance Committee and Audit Committee

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      The Finance Committee and Audit Committee Knowledge Check

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Budgeting and the Board’s Role

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Budgeting and the Board's Role Knowledge Check

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding Warrants and the Purchasing Process

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding Warrants and Purchasing Process Knowledge Check

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      The School Budget Process – From Planning to Implementation

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      The School budget Process Knowledge Check

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding the State Funding Formula in Maine

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding the State Funding Formula in Maine Knowledge Check

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Federal Funds & Compliance – Title I, Special Education (IDEA), and More

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      Federal Funds & Compliance – Title I, Special Education (IDEA), and More Knowledge Check

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      Internal Controls and Financial Risk Management

    20. (Included in full purchase)

      Internal Controls and Financial Risk Management Knowledge Check

    21. (Included in full purchase)

      The Role of the Annual Audit

    22. (Included in full purchase)

      The Role of the Annual Audit Knowledge Check

    23. (Included in full purchase)

      Real Risks, Real Stories – Case Studies in Oversight and Failure

    24. (Included in full purchase)

      Real Risks, Real Stories – Case Studies in Oversight and Failure Knowledge Check

    25. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction to School Board Oversight (Worksheets, Answer Keys & Checklists)

  2. 2

    Building and Sustaining Strong Financial Oversight Committees

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      📜 Disclaimer and Legal Notice

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome and Course Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Why Committees Matter – The Value of Specialized Oversight

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Why Committees Matter – The Value of Specialized Oversight Knowledge Check

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Structuring an Effective Finance Committee

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Structuring and Effective Finance Committee Knowledge Check

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Audit Committees – Roles, Rules, and Responsibilities

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Audit Committees – Roles, Rules, and Responsibilities Knowledge Check

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Recruiting and Training Committee Members

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Recruiting and Training Committee Members

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      The Role of the Business Manager and Superintendent

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      The Role of the Business Manager and Superintendent

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Using a Financial Oversight Calendar

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Using a Financial Oversight Calendar Knowledge Check

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading and Interpreting Financial Reports

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading and Interpreting Financial Reports Knowledge Check

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding and Overseeing Internal Controls

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding and Overseeing Internal Controls Knowledge Check

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      Recognizing and Responding to Financial Red Flags

    20. (Included in full purchase)

      Recognizing and Responding to Financial Red Flags Knwoledge Check

    21. (Included in full purchase)

      Collaborating with the Auditor and Understanding the Audit Report

    22. (Included in full purchase)

      Collaborating with the Auditor and Understanding the Audit Report Knowledge Check

    23. (Included in full purchase)

      Building and Sustaining Strong Financial Oversight Committees (Worksheets, Answer Keys & Checklists)

  3. 3

    Budgeting and Financial Planning

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      📜 Disclaimer and Legal Notice

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome and Course Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The School Budget Process – Timelines and Key Milestones

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The School Budget Process – Timelines and Key Milestones Knowledge Check

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Revenue Sources – Local, State, and Federal

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Revenue Sources – Local, State, and Federal Knowledge Check

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Expenditures and Cost Drivers

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Expenditures and Cost Drivers Knowledge Check

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Public Involvement and Transparency

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Public Involvement and Transparency Knowledge Check

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Budgeting and Financial Planning (Worksheets, Answer Keys & Checklists)

  4. 4

    Oversight and Accountability in School Finance

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      📜 Disclaimer and Legal Notice

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome and Course Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The Annual Audit – Purpose, Process, and What It Covers

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The Annual Audit – Purpose, Process, and What It Covers Knowledge Check

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      What the Audit Doesn’t Cover – Common Misunderstandings

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      What the Audit Doesn’t Cover – Common Misunderstandings Knowledge Check

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      The Role of the School Board and Audit Committee

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      The Role of the School Board and Audit Committee Knowledge Check

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Internal Controls – What They Are and Why They Matter

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Internal Controls – What They Are and Why They Matter Knowledge Check

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Monitoring and Enforcing Corrective Action Plans

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Monitoring and Enforcing Corrective Action Plans Knowledge Check

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Oversight and Accountability in School Finance (Worksheets, Answer Keys and Checklists)

  5. 5

    Special Topics in Financial Oversight

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      📜 Disclaimer and Legal Notice

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Special Topics in Financial Oversight Welcome and Course Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Federal Funds and Grant Compliance – What Boards Need to Know

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Federal Funds and Grant Compliance Knowledge Check

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Special Education Finance – Oversight and Risk

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Special Education Finance – Oversight and Risk

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Capital Projects and Debt Management

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Capital Projects and Debt Management Knowledge Check

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Food Service and Student Activity Funds – Safeguards and Oversight

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Food Service and Student Activity Funds – Safeguards and Oversight Knowledge Check

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Risk Management and Insurance Oversight

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Risk Management and Insurance Oversight Knowledge Check

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Special Topics in Financial Oversight (Worksheets, Answer Keys & Checklists)

  6. 6

    Working with District Administration

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      📜 Disclaimer and Legal Notice

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Working with District Administration Welcome and Course Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Roles and Responsibilities – Superintendent, Business Manager, and the Board

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Roles and Responsibilities – Superintendent, Business Manager, and the Board Knowledge Check

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Building a Collaborative Governance Culture

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Building a Collaborative Governance Culture

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Communication Protocols and Expectations

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Communication Protocols and Expectations Knowledge Check

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Evaluating Financial Leadership and Performance

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Evaluating Financial Leadership and Performance Knowledge Check

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Working with District Administration (Worksheets, Answer Keys & Checklists)

  7. 7

    Internal Controls and Audits

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      📜 Disclaimer and Legal Notice

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Internal Controls and Audits Welcome and Course Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      What Are Internal Controls and Why They Matter

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      What Are Internal Controls and Why They Matter Knowledge Check

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Key Types of Internal Controls – Preventive, Detective, and Corrective

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Key Types of Internal Controls – Preventive, Detective, and Corrective Knowledge Check

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Common Internal Control Weaknesses in School Districts

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Common Internal Control Weaknesses in School Districts

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      The Board’s Oversight Role in Internal Controls

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      The Board’s Oversight Role in Internal Controls Knowledge Check

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      The Role of the Auditor in Assessing Controls

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      The Role of the Auditor in Assessing Controls Knowledge Check

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Creating a Culture of Control and Ethical Stewardship

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Creating a Culture of Control and Ethical Stewardship Knowledge Check

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Internal Controls and Audits

  8. 8

    Supplemental Course: Deep Dive on State and Federal Oversight

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      📜 Disclaimer and Legal Notice

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Supplemental Course – Deep Dive on State and Federal Oversight Welcome and Course Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding Maine’s State Education Funding Formula

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding Maine’s State Education Funding Formula Knowledge Check

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Key State Reporting Requirements

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Key State Reporting Requirements Knowledge Check

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Oversight of Federal Funds (e.g., Title I, IDEA)

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Oversight of Federal Funds (e.g., Title I, IDEA) Knowledge Check

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Compliance and Risk Management

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Compliance and Risk Management Knowledge Check

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Deep Dive on State and Federal Oversight (Worksheets, Answer Keys & Checklists)

  9. 9

    Real-World Scenarios and Case Studies

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      📜 Disclaimer and Legal Notice

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Real-World Scenarios and Case Studies Welcome and Course Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Case Study – Audit Findings and Board Response

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Case Study: Audit Findings and Board Response Knowledge Check

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Scenario – Procurement Irregularities

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Scenario: Procurement Irregularities Knowledge Check

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Scenario – Budget Shortfall and Recovery Plan

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Scenario: Budget Shortfall and Recovery Plan Knowledge Check

  10. 10

    Resources & References

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Budget & Budget Cycle

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Financial Oversight

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Audits & Audit Committees

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Internal Controls

Ready to Enhance Your School's Financial Health?

Enroll now and lead your school board to financial success

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