Time Schedule:
Karl Leggett
SOC W 552
Seattle Campus
Covers key financial management components of human service programs, including development and use of business plans, budgets, and financial statements. Helps students to demonstrate an understanding of financial management through budget preparation, financial statement analysis, new project cost projections, audits, and presentations using computer-based spreadsheets and presentation software.
Class description
This course is intended to convey common financial management concepts and practices that are integral to human service agencies and department financial operations. It is designed to help students perceive, understand, organize, present and explain financial information in ways that are relevant and meaningful to planning, operating and managing human service agencies and programs. Basic concepts and tools of financial management including financial statements, budgets, financial ratios, performance measures, budgeting and cost analysis and risk management are emphasized. Textbook material and exercises, case studies, lecture-discussions and student presentations are used. Guest professionals speak on current practices.
Student learning goals
Prepare, analyze and explain common budgets and financial statements
Use budgeting and accountability to accomplish service objectives
Present and explain financial information as professional findings and recommendations
Perform various tasks involved in budget development
Understand the basic purpose and methods of financial reporting and auditing
Respond appropriately to ethical and leadership issues in budgeting and financial management
General method of instruction
Class sessions include student discussions of reading assignments and small group exercises, student presentations, short lectures and guest professionals speaking on current topics.
Recommended preparation
Business Accounting 101 - helpful but not required Social Welfare Program Development - helpful but not required
Class assignments and grading
Four assignments (80 points) allow students to acquire ability in spreadsheet presentation of financial statements; distilling Financial information for accurate analysis, reporting and formulating recommendations; budget planning, preparation and presentation. Three ungraded practice quizzes help students prepare for the final (10 points) quiz. Students' Participation (10 points) is also graded.
Performance on Assignments (80 points) Participation in class (10 points) Final quiz (10 points)
