WASBO University is Growing!
WASBO University is back for 2024 with a bigger and more diverse course catalogue! Check out the table below for an overview of our winter courses for 2024, as well as what's coming in the future. View more information about each course below, and join your colleagues and enroll today!
The SBOP Certificate (formerly the ‘accounting certificate’) is a four-course (36-hours) certificate focusing on the basics of school district finance and funding for those who are not licensed school business officials but carry some or all the responsibility for business office operations.
Who Should Enroll
WASBO University benefits all School Business Office Professionals
who have a role within the accounting, payroll, human resources, and
business operations of Wisconsin school districts.
How to Enroll
Whether you are experienced or new to your role every participant
will benefit from the course material and collegial networking within
the cohort. The investment is $300 per person for each 12 hour course from your
school district, or $150 for each 6 hour course. WASBO University courses fill quickly, be sure to enroll right away!
Content Delivery
Each class will be offered live virtually.
Certification
WASBO University's School Business Office Professional Certificate is offered by the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay and is recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Certification is the preferred end; however, individuals may take selected courses in the curriculum without obtaining the various certifications. Any level of participation will add to one’s experience and knowledge base. Those who complete a certification from WASBO University will be recognized at WASBO's Spring Conference.
Required Hours for Certification
To obtain the School Business Office Professionals Accounting Certification, an applicant must complete each of the four courses below for a total of 36 hours.
Required Coursework
Wisconsin School District Governance: How School Districts Work
Registration Closed - Check back for additional courses in Fall 2024!
This course runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 AM, with classes January 30 through February 6.
6 Hours
This is the first course towards the SBOP certificate. This foundational course explores how school districts really work, from their constitutional roots to current day mission and operations. Learn the important milestones in the history of Wisconsin public schools, from their frontier origins, through the consolidation era following WWII, the rise of organized labor, the impact of Act 10, and today’s voucher movement. We’ll discuss the roles and responsibilities of the school board, superintendent, business manager and others, with an emphasis on school funding and operations, budgets, and referenda.
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Internal Controls for the School Business Office
Registration Closed - Check back for additional courses in Fall 2024!
This course runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 AM, with classes February 8 through February 15.
6 Hours
This is the second course towards the SBOP certificate. The school business office depends upon effective internal controls to protect against theft, fraud, or misuse of school district resources. These protections are essential for earning and maintaining taxpayer trust and support for the school district. This course introduces the concept of internal controls for the school business office, what they are, why they’re important, and how to ensure their effectiveness. The daily application of sound internal controls, such as segregation of duties, rigorous account reconciliation, and thorough public reporting, are just a few of the internal controls used by effective school business offices.
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Mastering WUFAR - SOLD OUT! Email Nicole at [email protected] to join the waitlist!
This course runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 AM, with classes February 27 through March 14.
12 Hours
This is the third course towards the SBOP certificate. This course provides an in-depth examination of WUFAR (Wisconsin Uniform Financial Accounting Requirements), which is the language of Wisconsin school district accounting. This course dives into the details of WUFAR, designing your chart of accounts, and a discussion of the purpose and use of each fund based on real-world examples from Wisconsin school districts. We will also explore the process of financial reporting to DPI (WISFIP) and identify the purpose and timing of each required report.
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Budget Development & Monitoring (Coming Fall 2024)
12 Hours
This is the fourth and final course towards the SBOP Certificate. This course will examine the complex process of developing a school district budget, presenting, and publishing a budget, and adopting the budget and related tax levy. We will also explore means for monitoring and reporting on the budget throughout the fiscal year.
Frequency of Course Offerings
Each certification course will be offered once per year. Three courses will be offered in January-March of 2024, with additional courses coming in the fall of 2024.
A two-course, (48 class-hours) certificate focusing on the basics of accounting for those who work in the school business office but do not have an accounting background.
Who Should Enroll
For those that have not had former classwork in accounting, this is a good place to start.
How to Enroll
The investment is $600 per person for each 24 hour course from your
school district. Enrollment is available here.
Content Delivery
Each class will be offered live virtually.
Certification
WASBO University's Fundamentals of Accounting Certificate is
offered by the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials in
conjunction with the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay and is
recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Certification is the preferred end; however, individuals may take
selected courses in the curriculum without obtaining the various
certifications. Any level of participation will add to one’s experience
and knowledge base. Those who complete a certification from WASBO
University will be recognized at WASBO's Spring Conference.
Required Hours for Certification
To obtain the School Business Office Professionals Accounting
Certification, an applicant must complete each of the two courses below
for a total of 48 hours.
Required Coursework
Introduction to Accounting I
Registration Closed - Check back for additional courses in Fall 2024!
This course runs Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 PM, with classes January 29 through March 6.
24 Hours
This is the first course in the Fundamentals of Accounting Certificate. This entry-level course will introduce the basic principles of accounting to first-time learners. Learn about different types of business entities, with a focus on a typical school district environment. We will examine the difference between cash-basis versus accrual-basis accounting. Students will gain an understanding of common accounting terminology and simplified financial reports (revenue-expense report, balance sheet). We will dive into the accounting cycle, learn how to analyze and journalize transactions, post entries, run a trial balance, make adjusting entries and close the cycle. This is the starter-set of accounting skills for everyone who works in the school business office.
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Introduction to Accounting II (Coming During the 2024-25 School Year)
24 Hours
This is the second course in the Fundamentals of Accounting Certificate. This course will build upon the Accounting I course and go deeper into the fundamentals of accounting as practiced in the school business office. Under construction.
A three-course, (36 class-hours) certificate focusing on the legal, financial, and political considerations associated with operating and capital referenda.
Who Should Enroll
The Mastering Capital & Operating Referenda Certificate will benefit anyone in the school business office responsible for referenda and debt planning for public school districts.
How to Enroll
Whether you are experienced or new to your role every participant
will benefit from the course material and collegial networking within
the cohort. The investment is $300 per person for each 12 hour course from your
school district.
Content Delivery
Each class will be offered live virtually.
Certification
WASBO University's Mastering Capital & Operating Referenda Certificate is
offered by the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials in
conjunction with the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay and is
recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Certification is the preferred end; however, individuals may take
selected courses in the curriculum without obtaining the certification. Any level of participation will add to one’s experience
and knowledge base. Those who complete a certification from WASBO
University will be recognized at WASBO's Spring Conference.
Required Hours for Certification
To obtain the Mastering Capital & Operating Referenda
Certification, an applicant must complete each of the three courses below
for a total of 36 hours.
Required Coursework
Referenda to Exceed the Revenue Limit
Registration Closed - Check back for additional courses in Fall 2024!
This course runs Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 PM, with classes January 29 through February 14.
12 Hours
This is the first of three required courses for the Mastering Capital and Operating Referenda Certificate. In this course, we will examine the legal and financial issues relating to why, how and when school districts seek voter approval to exceed the revenue limit. We will study the thirty-year history of operating referenda, including both recurring and non-recurring referendum types. We will examine school district planning timelines, legal requirements for school board actions, financial forecasting, ballot questions, information campaigns, and talk with legal experts and practitioners.
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Capital Referenda and Issuing Bonds (Coming Fall 2024)
12 Hours
This is the second of three required courses for the Debt Issuance and Management Certificate. In this course, we will examine the legal and financial issues relating to why, how, and when school districts seek to borrow funds by issuing debt in the form of notes or bonds. We will discuss when a referendum is necessary, and the legal requirements for bringing a proposal to the voters. We will identify the roles of key participants in debt issuance, such as financial advisor, bond underwriter, bond counsel, disclosure counsel, and others. Finally, we will examine the total cost and components of issuing notes and bonds.
Investing, Managing & Refinancing Debt (Coming Early 2025)
12 Hours
This is the third of three required courses for the Debt Issuance and Management Certificate. In this course, we will examine the rules for temporarily investing debt proceeds and understanding arbitrage rules, managing annual debt service obligations and their impact on shared cost, reporting on debt obligations, and understanding refinancing strategies.
The Facilities Manager Certification is an eight-module program developed and taught by school facility directors.
Who Should Enroll
Anyone that has completed their Facilities Manager Core Certification will benefit from this in depth dive into how finance and facilities intertwine in public school districts.
How to Enroll
Every participant
will benefit from the course material and collegial networking within
the cohort. The investment is $300 per person for each 12 hour course from your
school district.
Content Delivery
Each class will be offered live virtually.
Course Offerings
School District Finance for the Facility Director
This course runs Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3 PM, with classes April 15 to May 1.
12 Hours
This course provides continuing education hours for those who have already completed the Facilities Manager Core Certification. This course will focus on funding to meet ongoing facility operations and maintenance, as well as major capital facility projects, comes from an array of sources, including the annual operating budget, notes, bonds, and reserve funds. This course is designed to help the facility director understand the basics of the district budget and its various funding sources, and work with the business office to meet short-term and long-term facility needs. No calculator required!
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