<OPTIONAL INFO> Public Sector Certificate Program NEW! Increase your skills, confidence and expertise in public sector finance Featuring: Superior academic rigor with content relevant to your field Online modules that provide flexibility and innovation Capstone session to bridge theory and practice Virtual forums to connect with peers across Canada Developed in collaboration with:
2 Public Sector Certificate Program Deepen your expertise in public sector finance and gain the recognition you deserve Today s public sector environment demands a new kind of business and accounting professional one with strong technical knowledge and well-developed skills in decision making, communication and resource management. This program provides you with many benefits: Knowledgeable facilitators who offer extensive real-world experience in the public sector The most current Canadian curriculum to help you succeed in the marketplace A valuable peer network that connects you with other bright public sector financial professionals Professional development to complement your Canadian CPA designation This program provides your employer with many benefits: A positive impact at work as you progress through the program A unique format that accelerates your development in public sector finance Quick, out-of-the-gate value to offer in public sector accounting, financial reporting and financial management A strong return on their investment that fosters productivity and excellence
Public Sector Certificate Program 3 Program Overview The Public Sector Certificate Program provides the most comprehensive, practical and relevant public sector training for financial professionals in Canada, and it is an ideal foundation for those seeking quality senior positions in the public sector. Better Learning: Two Levels The curriculum is extensive and complete, ensuring that you are prepared with the knowledge and skills needed to build a long and successful career in government. This unique two-level program provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in an exceptional learning environment that is flexible, interactive and complements on-the-job training. Level I addresses public sector foundations and Level II covers advanced topics in the public sector, concluding with a two-day capstone session that will also be available virtually. Blended Learning: A Modern Delivery Model Based on sound adult education principles, the Public Sector Certificate Program includes 40 hours of online modules in Level I with 30 hours of online modules plus two days of in-person study for Level II, with real-life scenario application, comprehensive case work and first-class facilitators. To enhance your learning, you will have access to Public Sector Connect throughout the program. Use this exclusive online discussion forum to collaborate with fellow students and engage with experienced facilitators, researchers and public sector standards staff at CPA Canada. There are also self-assessment checks along the way to help you evaluate your success at different stages of the program. Certificate of Achievement Students who successfully complete the Public Sector Certificate Program receive a CPA Canada Certificate of Achievement, which is a nationally recognized symbol of excellence in continuing education.
4 Public Sector Certificate Program Advanced Standing There are two options available to earn advanced standing in the Public Sector Certificate Program. Advanced standing is available to: alumni of the Public Sector Financial Reporting and Accounting Course professionals who have completed the public sector elective in the Advanced Certificate in Accounting and Finance (ACAF) For more information, contact Alyssa Hammerstrom at 604-605-5067 or ahammerstrom@cpacanada.ca. Professional Development Partners CPA Canada has brought together an unprecedented group of professionals to create the Public Sector Certificate Program, including facilitators, academics, instructional designers, authors, consultants and more. As subject matter experts, our delivery partners combine extensive public sector knowledge, government experience and wide-ranging advisory work with a desire to share their strategies and skills. This team of professionals includes: Andrew Graham Andrew conducts research, teaches and writes on public sector management, financial management, integrated risk management and governance. He teaches at the Queen s University School of Policy Studies, as well as at a variety of international and Canadian venues. Andrew is the author of Canada s leading source on managing public money, Canadian Public Sector Financial Management, which has been adopted as a textbook by a number of Canada s leading universities and is used for governmental staff training. He is also the Series Editor of the Case Study Program of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC), Canada s leading source of public sector case studies. He was an Assistant Deputy Minister for 14 years in the federal government and has over 30 years of service with in-line operations (Kingston Penitentiary) and complex regional operations knowledge as well as experience in a number of national policy and corporate leadership roles, including Senior Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Service Canada.
Public Sector Certificate Program 5 As subject matter experts, our delivery partners combine extensive public sector knowledge, government experience and wide-ranging advisory work with a desire to share their strategies and skills. Andrew Hill Andrew is the CEO of Smartfirm, Inc., where he focuses on designing custom learning and development programs for professional services firms and associations. From 2000 to 2015, he played a leading role with the Atlantic School of Chartered Accountants (ASCA) s online pre-qualification program. He also helped CPA Canada develop a strategy to adopt computer-based testing and a digital app to manage member competencies. Outside of Canada, he also advises accounting and consulting firms in the United States, Europe and Asia. His work has been recognized with several industry excellence awards sponsored by Brandon Hall and the American Talent Development Society. Prior to founding Smartfirm, Andrew practiced auditing and consulting with a Big Four firm. In that role, he audited and advised government agencies at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. Martin Boucher Martin is a partner in the Montreal office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) s National Accounting Consulting Services Group. Martin has extensive experience working with a range of clients in the private and public sectors. He is a key resource within PwC Canada on Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) standards. He is also an International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) subject matter expert within PwC Canada and a member of the Global Accounting Consulting Services Group of the PwC international network, which provides assistance on complex accounting matters. Martin is a frequent lecturer on accounting and auditing matters. Steve Marcotte Steve is a partner in the assurance practice of PwC in Ottawa. He has over 15 years of experience in auditing and financial reporting in the public and private sectors. Over the last 10 years, Steve has assisted many public sector organizations with financial statements, audit readiness and internal control over financial reporting projects. He manages various financial statement audits and contribution agreement audits on behalf of public sector organizations, including federal government departments and agencies. Steve has also been an active facilitator in CPA Canada s Public Sector Financial Reporting and Accounting Course.
6 Public Sector Certificate Program Program Agenda Public Sector Certificate Program Level I 40 hours of interactive online learning Access to Public Sector Connect the exclusive discussion forum for CPA Canada Public Sector Certificate Program participants and facilitators Assessment after each module and upon completion of the course Level I
Public Sector Certificate Program 7 Topics Governance and Decision-Making Process Learning Outcomes Understanding the typical legislative authorities and provisions defining how governments receive, disburse and manage public funds Being able to understand the elements of governance and decision-making in public sector environments, including how government staff work and communicate with elected officials and their staff, federal members of Parliament, members of provincial parliaments and city councillors Understanding government stakeholders, including the public, and their expectations of accountability, transparency, value for money and the sustainability of taxpayer-funded spending Planning and Budgeting Process Being able to explain the government planning and budgeting process, which culminates in an annual budget Being able to describe the steps in the government planning and budgeting process Government Operating and Capital Budgets Understanding the difference between operating and capital budgets, and between funding for operations versus funding for capital Being able to prepare a budget component for a program, division or other small segment that will be rolled up into the overall budget Public Sector Accounting and Reporting Understanding public sector accounting as a basis of government financial reporting and the role of sovereign governments in that process Being able to explain or support the preparation of the statements, notes, schedules and other components of a typical set of public accounts Knowing how to evaluate which government agencies, government business enterprises and other government organizations are part of the Government Reporting Entity (GRE) Knowing how to evaluate whether an organization needs to be consolidated with its host ministry or department and perform consolidations where indicated Being able to apply public sector GAAP measures to government transactions Being able to explain and account for all government revenues, including taxes, transfers and non-tax revenue Being able to describe the different types of government transfer payments Decision Support Knowing how to use financial analysis of program-specific financial reports and annual financial statements to assess the financial strength of agencies and notfor-profit organizations delivering government programs Being able to compare and contrast performance measurement in government, not-for-profit and for-profit organizations Auditing Being able to describe the concept of public sector auditing and the accountability relationship with the public Knowing how to assess financial control and related risks associated with government program delivery, including third-party organizations such as agencies Being able to identify process weaknesses and recommend appropriate financial and internal controls to address identified weaknesses Being able to apply internal audit procedures to assess value for money in government program delivery Understanding the types of internal and external audits most frequently encountered in a public sector context Being able to explain the methodology applied in these engagements including value-for-money audits (versus audits that focus on fair presentation)
8 Public Sector Certificate Program Public Sector Certificate Program Level II 30 hours of interactive online learning and an in-person two-day capstone session Curriculum: applied financial reporting financial management leadership development Embedded principles: ethics accountability and transparency risk management communications strategic thinking sustainability Access to Public Sector Connect the exclusive discussion forum for CPA Canada Public Sector Certificate Program participants and facilitators Assessment after each module and upon completion of the course Level II
Public Sector Certificate Program 9 Part 1: Financial Reporting Launches winter 2017 Topics Introduction Learning Outcomes Being able to provide an overview of the CPA Canada Public Sector Accounting (PSA) Handbook standards Being able to describe PSA concepts and principles and summarize the application of PSA standards Being able to define the components of a financial statement in accordance with PSA standards Financial Statement Presentation Understanding the requirements for financial statement presentation under the PSA Handbook Being able to explain the differences in financial statement presentation under the CPA Canada Handbook Accounting Revenues Being able to assess PSA Handbook guidance on Revenue and be able to apply principles outside of GAAP to transactions (such as PS 1000 Financial Statement Concepts, PS 1201 Financial Statement Presentation) Understanding basic revenue recognition criteria Being able to describe PS 3100 Restricted Assets and Revenues Understanding case studies on revenue versus cost recovery and revenue recognition Capital Assets and Related Topics Being able to explain measurement issues related to tangible capital assets in accordance with PS 3150 Tangible Capital Assets and PSG 2 Leased Tangible Capital Assets Being able to describe why and how tangible capital assets are recorded, including what disclosures are important Knowing how to identify eligibility for capitalization, amortization application, the treatment of subsequent valuations, impairment and disposals Government Transfers Understanding the revised version of PS 3410 Government Transfers and when to recognize a transfer, how to distinguish the main types of transfers and how to account for them Being able to consider the perspective of both the transferring government and the recipient for capital contributions Understanding the identification of transfer type; recognition; accounting versus appropriation, transfer to industry, and conditional and unconditional repayments Liability for Contaminated Sites Knowing how to identify the new standard on Liability for Contaminated Sites (PS 3260) and scope considerations Being able to define recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements under PS 3260 Being able to recognize and measure the liability for contaminated sites Emerging Issues Being able to assess new or revised standards such as PS 2601 Foreign Currency Translation Recognizing projects in progress with the Public Sector Accounting Board Consolidations Being able to identify when to consolidate under the PSA Handbook using the indicators of control Understanding why the definitions of control are similar in the PSA Handbook and the CPA Canada Handbook Accounting Being able to explain why differences can occur when applying control standards (continued...)
10 Public Sector Certificate Program Topics Financial Instruments Learning Outcomes Being able to assess the categories, the measurement and presentation requirements for financial instruments under the PSA Handbook Knowing how to identify the significant differences between public sector requirements and the reporting of financial instruments under the CPA Canada Handbook Accounting Employee Future Benefits Being able to describe retirement benefit plans and their measurement and recognition under PSA standards Understanding the differences between PSA standards and CPA Canada Handbook Accounting requirements for retirement benefit plans Being able to assess key aspects of post-employment benefits and compensated absences, along with additional liabilities recognized under the PSA Handbook Part 2: Financial Management Launches spring 2017 Topics The Public Sector Context Learning Outcomes Understanding the scope of government size, extent and impact Knowing how to identify public sector values and ethics Being able to describe stakeholders and their interest in financial information Being able to assess how public policy is made and works in practice, from research and development to implementation and evaluation Understanding leadership in government Planning, Budgeting and Delivering Be able to describe the role of financial information and financial reports for planning and monitoring program delivery Be able to assess the public processes required to develop program and budget plans, i.e. the role of stakeholders Understanding costing programs and monitoring costs Being able to explain public dimensions and political elements of the planning and budgeting cycle Knowing how to ensure the sustainability of programming through the budget process Delivering Public Services and Goods Being able to assess risk and practice risk management in budget delivery Being able to identify control through financial and non-financial information Being able to successfully execute performance measurement and reporting Understanding program reviews and evaluation Decision Support Effective Resource Management Knowing how to organize and communicate useful financial information Being able to describe the financial advisor as a key player Being able to assess values and practice in accountability and transparency Being able to identify links between program inputs, outputs and outcomes Being able to apply values of efficiency and effectiveness Understanding the value of effective resource management Being able to account for political oversight, audit and evaluation in resource management Being able to describe the role of external monitoring groups, think tanks and their use of financial reporting Being able to explain the quality and accessibility of regular financial performance information how good, for whom and when is enough? Knowing the role of program reviews, strategic reviews and reallocation exercise in resource management
Public Sector Certificate Program 11 Capstone Session Facilitated by experts in the public sector, the capstone session is an in-person two-day workshop with virtual options available. In the capstone session, you will collaborate with other program participants on a variety of applied learning activities, including case studies about financial reporting, financial management and valuable leadership development in the public sector. The first capstone session takes place in the summer of 2017. It is designed as a comprehensive final exercise to complete the Public Sector Certificate Program.
Public Sector Certificate Program NEW! Increase your skills, confidence and expertise in public sector finance