FGFOA 2026 School of Governmental Finance

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FGFOA 2026 School of Governmental Finance

Register today for
FGFOA's 2026 School of Governmental Finance
The event will be held October 26-30, 2026 at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort in Clearwater Beach.

BEFORE YOU REGISTER -- PLEASE make sure that your membership dues paid and up-to-date.

Need to renew? Please do so through the member portal BEFORE registering for the event, or you WILL be charged the non-member rate.

Allow 24-48 hours for the payment to process before registering for the event. Memberships are not updated immediately in our system, so if you register on the same day that you pay your dues, you WILL be charged the non-member rate.

What School sessions are best for you?
The school offers two paths during the week and you can register for one or both of the segments:

Basic/Intermediate: 2.5 days beginning Monday morning and ending Wednesday at noon.
The Basic/Intermediate courses are tailored for all financial support staff and for the staff person just beginning a career in governmental finance. In these sessions, participants will be exposed to an in-depth study and analysis of basic governmental finance concepts and principles. These sessions are also informative for anyone wishing to further expand their area of expertise or reacquaint themselves with the fundamentals of governmental finance. In other words, they provide a great refresher!

Intermediate/Advanced: 2 days beginning Wednesday afternoon and ending Friday at noon.
The Intermediate/Advanced courses are tailored for seasoned finance professionals looking for information on current, more complex issues.

Early registration deadline: September 18, 2026
Take advantage of the early registration rate by completing your registration and payment by September 18.

Registration/Payments/Cancellation Information
Registrations are done on an individual basis. FGFOA does not permit the sharing of a registration between two attendees. Each attendee must have a separate registration and pay the full amount. The registration fee includes admission to all sessions in the block for which you register, plus refreshments. Payment may be made online via Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. If you need to pay via check, please email Melanie Howe for a registration form.

Cancellation Policy
FGFOA School registration cancellations must be sent to Melanie Howe no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 9, in order to be eligible for a refund, minus a $50 administrative fee. All refunds will be processed after the event and no refunds will be issued for early departure.

Housing Information
To make your hotel reservations at the Sheraton, please use the reservation link that will be included in your paid registration confirmation. The group rate for registrants is $244/night, and is ONLY available via this online link. One night's deposit is required to hold the reservation.

Note that the reservation cut-off date is September 25, 2026, but the hotel could sell out before that time. If the hotel is sold out, please contact Melanie Howe for a list of alternative suggestions.

From Destin - Fort Walton Beach Airport: Turn RIGHT onto Hwy 85 North/Government Ave (2 miles). Turn LEFT onto Hwy 20 East/John Sims Pkwy (6 miles). Turn RIGHT onto Hwy 293 South; Cross Mid-Bay Bridge ($4.00 Toll) (7 miles).Turn LEFT onto Hwy 98 East (6 miles). Turn RIGHT onto Sandestin Blvd South and proceed through Sandestin guard gate.

From Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport: Turn RIGHT onto Hwy 388 West (4 miles). Turn LEFT onto Hwy 79 South (5 miles). Turn RIGHT onto Hwy 98 West (30 miles). Turn LEFT onto Sandestin Blvd South and proceed through Sandestin guard gate.

From Pensacola Regional Municipal Airport: Turn LEFT onto North 9th Ave/CR-289 (6 miles). Turn LEFT onto Gregory St/Hwy 98 East (40 miles). Turn RIGHT onto Sandestin Blvd South and proceed through Sandestin guard gate.

When

10/26/2026 8:00 AM - 10/30/2026 11:40 AM
Eastern Daylight Time

Where

Sheraton Sand Key Resort 1160 Gulf Blvd. Clearwater Beach, FL 33767

Program options

Select programs by

Monday, 26 October 2026

Description
First-Time Attendees' Orientation Hear from FGFOA board members about the benefits of membership in the organization. First-time attendees are encouraged to attend, but other members who want to learn more are also welcome. Time 7:15 AM - 8:00 AM 7:15 AM
Governmental Accounting Essentials This introductory, practical session will build core skills to equip accounting professionals with the fund, accounting, and reporting techniques essential for reliable public-sector financial statements. Category AA 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
TB Topic TBD TBD Category TB 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Introduction to Debt Category TB 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
Budgeting Through Crisis What should governments be doing now to start preparing for fiscal distress? By offering several strategies to reduce budget expenses, create flexibility, and assess risk associated with the goal of long-term sustainability, we can take lessons learned from the past and apply them proactively. This session will included an update on investment best practices, key issues to consider, and how to establish or update an investment approach. Category TB 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
Aligning Capital Budgets and Performance Through AI and Integrated Strategies Government finance work is rewarding, but disconnected systems, double-checking numbers, tracking documents, formatting content, and fighting with printers eats time. The goal of this session is simple: help you leave the office on time. This interactive session takes a practitioner's approach to the challenges facing government finance teams today. Drawing on first-hand experience modernizing a large county budget office, the speaker will provide practical strategies for streamlining processes, aligning budgets with measurable performance outcomes, planning for capital and workforce needs, communicating more effectively with stakeholders, and using AI responsibly in the finance office. Every topic in the session will be grounded in best practices for the public servants doing this work every day. Category TB 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
Single Audit This session will explore the evolving landscape of government single audits, including key requirements, risk considerations, and practical approaches for effectively preparing for and managing the audit process. Participants will gain insights to strengthen internal processes, improve coordination with auditors, and support compliance and accountability in the use of public funds. Category AA 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
Economic Update Category TB 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM
Leadership Join FGFOA’s own Nicole Gasparri for an inspiring session that will help you improve your leadership skills. Category BEH 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM

Tuesday, 27 October 2026

Description
Budgeting 101 This session delivers a foundational overview of governmental budgeting. Attendees will learn the components of the budget cycle, including revenue projections and expenditure planning. We'll explore how the budget supports transparency, accountability, and strategic service delivery, as well as aligning scarce resources with governing board priorities. Category TB 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Cybersecurity Do you know what to do when (yes, WHEN, not if) your government gets hit with a cyber attack? Let's discuss who you need to inform and what your next steps should be. Category TB 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Planning for and Issuing Municipal Debt In this session, we will discuss the keys to establishing and financing a capital improvement program using both long-term and interim financing methods. We will include real-life case studies detailing how some of your peer governments have handled these challenging tasks, and we will give a brief overview of some of the internal policies that should be considered to help guide you through the process. Category TB 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
AI Roadmap In the fast-changing world of AI, where does your government stand? Do you have policies around the use of AI, or are you stuck, not even knowing where to start? Let's talk about building an AI roadmap! Category TB 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
Cyber Risks and Resilience in 2026 Modern cyber risks can impact operations and financial performance in a number of ways. This session will explore the current state of IT and cyber risk management. Throughout this session, we will examine root causes leading to breaches and mitigation strategies to minimize the likelihood and impact and impact of cyber incidents. The session will also provide an overview of how mitigation strategies can be designed to address Florida cybersecurity requirements under HB 7055. We will explore examples of threats posed by weak default systems, vendor management challenges, lack of adequate governance over artificial intelligence (AI), external threat actors, and internal users. Category AA 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
Budgeting is a Team Sport: How Procurement Can Strengthen Budget Planning This session will focus on why procurement should be involved earlier in the budget cycle, common disconnects between budget and purchasing, and practical coordination tools. Category TB 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
Internal Controls that Work: A Practical Guide for Local Governments This interactive course will focus on how local governments can design, implement, and monitor effective internal controls in everyday financial operations. Using the COSO internal control framework as guide, participants will examine controls related to transactions, financial reporting, the budget process, ACFR preparation, and the annual audit, with an emphasis on practical application and real world scenarios. Category AA 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM
How to Formulate an Investment Approach with Limited Time and Staff Resources Category TB 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM

Wednesday, 28 October 2026

Description
Disaster Planning What are you doing to prepare for the next disaster that comes around? How does finance fit into disaster planning? Do they need a seat at the table? Receive answers to these questions and more during this session. Category TB 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Be a Budget Detective: Don't Just Manage the Budget, Investigate it Category TB 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Introduction to Investing Public Funds This session will cover the Florida state statutes for investing public funds and provide an in-depth review of the allowable investments under the statutes. Category TB 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
ACFR Preparation and the Audit Today's challenges are greater than ever in preparation of the ACFR. Join us for a review of management and auditor's responsibilities, what the auditor is auditing, and how AI can affect the process Category AA 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
AI: Why Budgeting Still Needs a Human in the Loop This session will provide a practical, judgment‑first look at where AI genuinely helps budgeting professionals and where it still needs a human check. We'll highlight how AI can streamline certain tasks while emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human intuition, context, and decision‑making. Attendees will leave with a clearer view of how to balance AI with professional expertise to produce more reliable, defensible budgets. Category TB 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
Arbitrage and Post Issuance Compliance Arbitrage is challenging. Gain useful insights from this multi-faceted discussion, where topics will include: rationale for legislation; non-compliance penalty info; arbitrage rules, scope, and focus; how and when to prove compliance; types of proceeds; exceptions; expenditure of proceeds; yield restriction; and record retention requirements. Category TB 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
ERP Implementation: One Year Later Let's talk about how our panelists from last year are faring with their ERP implementations. What would they do differently if they had to do it over again? What went so well that they want to tell everyone about it? Category TB 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM
Getting the Most Out of FGFOA Resources Join us for an informative and engaging session designed to help finance professionals leverage the numerous resources available through FGFOA. You’ll gain valuable insights into how to utilize FGFOA's offerings to enhance your career and streamline your work processes. This session will cover four key areas: networking, education, information, and leadership. Don't miss this chance to discover how FGFOA can support and advance your professional journey. Category AA 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM
President's Networking Reception After classes are over on Wednesday, join us for a relaxing hour of enjoyable conversation with your colleagues while enjoying some tasty hors-d’oeuvres. Time 4:40 PM - 6:00 PM 4:40 PM

Thursday, 29 October 2026

Description
Legislative Update Category TB 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Common Reporting Deficiencies Category AA 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Long-Term Forecasting, Growth Impacts, and Tax Reform This session will provide local government finance professionals with practical approaches to long-term financial forecasting, extending a one-year budget into a multi-year outlook. It will address how development patterns and fiscal impacts can be incorporated into budget planning, with a focus on the cost and revenue implications of growth. The session will also examine how Florida’s proposed property tax changes could affect future revenues and overall financial stability. Category TB 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM
Tales from the Credit Desk Whether you're new to credit investments or not, come hear from experienced practitioners and portfolio traders about how these securities work off paper and in practice. Forged from real experiences, we will share investing best practices during boom-and bust cycles, and give a behind-the-scenes look at what "credit research" actually means. Category TB 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 PM 10:00 AM
Actuarial Side of Financial Reporting Category AA 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
Alternative Delivery Methods In today’s rapidly changing market, governments must strategically navigate challenges in procuring, financing, and completing large infrastructure projects on time and on budget. This session will focus on leveraging alternative delivery methods to successfully complete projects. The session will review what alternative delivery methods are, how to procure them, strategies for financing them, and lessons learned. Category TB 2 Hours Time 1:00 PM - 2:40 PM 1:00 PM
Moving On Up: How to Advance Your Career to the Next Level You have your academic degree, certification, and experience in finance, and are interested in advancing your career to the next level as a finance director, CFO, or perhaps an assistant city/county manager or a city/county manager, but you're not sure where to start. This session will highlight the desired skills employers are seeking in higher-level positions and identify strategies on how to develop your hard and soft skills to achieve your career goals. Category BEH 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM
TB Topic TBD TBD Category TB 2 Hours Time 3:00 PM - 4:40 PM 3:00 PM

Friday, 30 October 2026

Description
Local Government Ratemaking: Balancing Cost Recovery, Policy Goals, and Customer Affordability When setting rates for local government entities such as public utilities, there are several important factors to consider. Decision-makers must navigate among full cost recovery, political pressures, customer affordability, and legal constraints. In this session, participants will gain a better understanding of the "art" of ratemaking, which involves balancing potentially conflicting objectives in ways that reflect community values. Category TB 2 Hours Time 8:00 AM - 9:40 AM 8:00 AM
Staying Current: 2026 GASB Updates This session will provide the latest updates from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. Category AA 2 Hours Time 10:00 AM - 11:40 AM 10:00 AM

Local Government Ratemaking: Balancing Cost Recovery, Policy Goals, and Customer Affordability

When setting rates for local government entities such as public utilities, there are several important factors to consider. Decision-makers must navigate among full cost recovery, political pressures, customer affordability, and legal constraints. In this session, participants will gain a better understanding of the "art" of ratemaking, which involves balancing potentially conflicting objectives in ways that reflect community values.

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