Non-Conference Education

The mission of the WFOA Education Committee is to provide Washington public entities and their staff with professional training in finance, budgeting, accounting, reporting, and other relevant fields. This professional training provides budget and finance professionals the opportunity to meet face-to-face, exchange ideas with others, and enhance their knowledge which will assist them in promoting the professional management of government financial resources. The professional educational opportunities also enable our members to maintain their status as Professional Finance Officers, CPAs, and/or other similar professional designations. If you would like to join the Education Committee or have questions about educational courses offered, please contact Deb Booher at educationcommittee@wfoa.org.  


Upcoming 2024 Educational Opportunities


WFOA – Training Opportunities


BARS - Cash

March 26, 2024
9:00am - 4:00pm (lunch break 12:00-1:00pm)

$125 Member / $175 Non-Member

This class will be presented online by BARS and Annual Filing Specialists from the Washington State Auditor’s Office. The Overview of BARS Webinar provides a general overview of Cash Basis BARS and the reporting requirements for Cash governments.

Class Objectives:
After taking this class, the attendee will be able to:

  • Explain the purpose of the BARS Manual and why it is required.
  • Navigate and search the BARS Manual.
  • Employ Fund Accounting, including identifying and evaluating Fund Types.
  • Identify the four types of interfund activities.
  • Use the BARS Chart of Accounts and generate BARS code as prescribed, including:
    • Account Structure
    • Revenue and Other Increases 
    • Expenditure and Other Decreases
    • Cash and Investment Balance Codes
  • Understand the annual online filing reporting requirements.

Intended Audience:  Course materials are presented for all levels of governmental accounting expertise; from novice to experience.  


Federal Award Requirements (includes Grants) 

April 16
8:00am - 3:00pm (lunch break 12:00-1:00pm)

$75 Member / $100 Non-Member

Register Now!

This class will be presented online and covers federal compliance requirements under the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), found in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200. Class Objectives: The purpose of this class is to discuss the federal compliance requirements so that attendees gain an understanding of the federal government’s audit objectives and the perspectives of granting agencies and auditors. Topics Covered: Overview of the Uniform Guidance Overview of the Single Audit process Common problem areas (frequent audit findings) Preparing the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Internal controls over federal awards The 12 areas of federal award compliance, Resources for accounting, and Single Audit resources

Intended Audience: This class is intended for accounting staff and those responsible for federal program compliance.


Federal Award Requirements (includes Grants) 

May 14
8:00am - 3:00pm (lunch break 12:00-1:00pm)

$75 Member / $100 Non-Member

Register Now!

This class will be presented online and covers federal compliance requirements under the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), found in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200. Class Objectives: The purpose of this class is to discuss the federal compliance requirements so that attendees gain an understanding of the federal government’s audit objectives and the perspectives of granting agencies and auditors. Topics Covered: Overview of the Uniform Guidance Overview of the Single Audit process Common problem areas (frequent audit findings) Preparing the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Internal controls over federal awards The 12 areas of federal award compliance, Resources for accounting, and Single Audit resources

Intended Audience: This class is intended for accounting staff and those responsible for federal program compliance.



BARS - GAAP Webinar

COMING THIS FALL!
9:00am - 4:00pm (lunch break 12:00-1:00pm)

$125 Member / $175 Non-Member

This class will be presented online by BARS and Annual Filing Specialists from the Washington State Auditor’s Office. The Overview of BARS Webinar provides a general overview of GAAP Basis BARS and the reporting requirements for GAAP governments.
Class Objectives:
After taking this class, the attendee will be able to:

  • Explain the purpose of the BARS Manual and why it is required.
  • Navigate and search the BARS Manual. 
  • Employ Fund Accounting, including identifying and evaluating Fund Types.
  • Identify the four types of interfund activities.
  • Use the BARS Chart of Accounts and generate BARS code as prescribed, including:
    • Account Structure
    • Revenue and Other Increases 
    • Expenditure and Other Decreases
    • Net Position/Fund Balance Codes
  • Understand the annual online filing reporting requirements.

Intended Audience:  Course materials are presented for all levels of governmental accounting expertise; from novice to experience.  








Webinar criteria to be eligible for CPE:
  • Each attendee must register with their email
  • Must be logged into the ZOOM webinar with their registered email
  • Have the Zoom meeting on their active screen in order to answer the polling questions.
    • Three polling questions will be administered for every 50 minutes in order to be eligible for 1 CPE. (Example – 4 hour session will have 12 polling questions).


Free Webinar Classes Available


Free eLearning Available from WA State Auditors Office (SAO)

Lease Accounting Standards

Washington State Auditors Office offered classes regarding the new Lease Accounting Standards

  • See the recorded trainings from SAO on Leases as of August 2021

Cash receipting

Want to know more about how to protect your organization from cash receipting fraud? SAO’s on-demand training follows an actual fraud case while covering important best practices for internal controls. You’ll learn how to recognize the warning signs and red flags of common fraud schemes and the rewards of developing a strong internal control system and the risks if you don’t. Local government employees are eligible for Continuing Professional Education Credit (CPE) for this course.






Registration Cancellation Policy

Cancelation/substitution requests must be received in writing by Admin@wfoa.org. In-person events, a refund is available until 14 business days less a $20 administrative fee.  Webinar events, a refund is available until 3 business days less a $20 or 25% of registration fee, whichever is less.  No refund will be issued after the business days listed but can be appealed in writing. The appeal can take up to 45 days for determination.  Substitutions after the business days listed may be allowed for a $10 fee.