Overview Objective Materials grading Exam ELI Policies and Procedures Contacting the Instructor Beginning the Course
PBS 116: Public Budgeting & Finance - 3 Credits
Professor: Denise Simmons

Overview

This course reviews the history of different approaches to public budgeting and examines the budgeting process in government. It also examines the development of public planning at all levels of government with an emphasis on budgetary process. This course will also give consideration to revenue sources, administration, and structure.

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Objectives

 

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the dynamic environment of public budgeting and finance.
  • Understand the interrelationship of the accounting system and the budgeting system.
  • Become familiar with accounting practices of governmental and not-for-profit organizations (tracking financial information).
  • Develop an understanding of financial statements.
  • Develop an understanding of the budgetary process (approval, adoption, and allocation).
  • Develop an understanding of budgeting and financial terminology.
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Materials

 

The required textbook for this course is:

  • Textbook Accounting and Budgeting in Public and Nonprofit Organizations, C. William Garner. Jossey-Bass Publishers 1991.
For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Call before going to a campus bookstore to make sure the materials are in stock. If you don't see what you need, ask for assistance. Each bookstore has a separate section for ELI courses. Print this page and take it with you to avoid confusion.
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Grading
 

Your course grade will be determined by the homework, budget analyses, article reports, and 4 exams, according to the following points:

Assignment
Possible Points
Introduction
5
4 Exams @ 100 points each
40
Chapter Review Questions (11 Chapters & Performance Review) @ 10 points each
120
3 Budget Analyses @ 10 points each
30
3 Budget Analyses Responses @ 5 points each
15
2 Article Reviews @ 10 points each
20
2 Article Review Responses @ 5 points each
10
Total
600

Grading Scale
A
540-600 points
B
480-539 points
C
420-479 points
D
360-419 points
F
0-359 points
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Exams

 

There are 4 exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

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ELI Policies and Procedures

 
This is an Extended Learning Institute (ELI) course. ELI courses differ from campus courses in several important ways, including enrollment dates, communication with faculty, assignment completion requirements, and exams. You must follow ELI's policies and procedures if you take this course. Read (or review) ELI's Policies and Procedures before you begin the course. If you have questions, call ELI at (703) 323-3347 or (888) 435-6822.
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Contacting the Instructor

 

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : dsimmons@nvcc.edu
Telephone : (703) 878-5634
Please contact me if you would like to make an appointment to meet at ELI or my office on the Woodbridge Campus.
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Beginning the Course
 

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.