Magnum Trainings: Fiscal Workshop
Accounts Payable Clerks Training (Online)
Schedule, Registration, and Payment [HERE]
Two 2-hour sessions, via ZOOM
This foundation online workshop covers the basic knowledge, skills, techniques, and strategies required for the accounts function in school districts: review of applicable NYS Law, Board of Education policies, internal control components, and implementation strategies. Participation requires full video (camera) and audio (microphone) via ZOOM throughout the workshop. Participation problems (homework) will be provided prior to the first session.
Audience
This is an interactive online workshop for school district Accounts Payable Clerks and other school district employees interacting with the accounts payable function, such as claims auditors, deputy claims auditors, accounting supervisors, purchasing agents, business officials, and district administrators. All business staff titles and administrators i will find this workshop useful.
Why this Workshop is Important
Accounts Payable Clerks (and related titles) work at the intersection of the school district’s purchasing/procurement process. Their day-to-day decisions ensure the smooth payment of school district obligations while protecting the process. This workshop is structured to provide best practices and practical information on accounts payable processes and procedures. We include an overview of the components of accounts payable with an emphasis on the importance of internal controls. We also provide a review of manual processes related to vendors, invoices, check runs, and balancing. We focus on the concerns and challenges employees may be experiencing with their accounts payable processes.
Workshop Topics
Session 1 – Foundation
Fundamental components of the purchasing/procurement process
Accounts Payable Clerk position and duties
Legal requirements
Internal control components
Segregation of duties
Implementation strategies – vendors and invoicing
Session 2 – Processes
Implementation strategies – invoicing and payments
Claims Auditor relations
Unique items
Regulatory compliance
Recognized best practices
Interactions with the purchasing/procurement team
Reports and reporting
Questions and Answers
Faculty
Kathryn Blackman, CPA
Kathy Blackman has 35 years’ experience in New York public school finance. She is currently the Controller of the Broome Tioga BOCES Central Business Office (2013 to present). At the BOCES CBO she oversees the finances of 14 component school districts and the work of 9 accounts payable clerks. Immediately prior to her Controller position Kathryn worked 19 years as the school business official in Chenango Forks Central Schools (1995-2013), and again prior, worked ten years as an external auditor. This unique background and perspective has given her insights how different districts structure the accounts payable function for effectiveness and efficiency. Ms. Blackman is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership Program at SUNY Binghamton. She presents fiscal issues and considerations to regional Boards of Education. She regularly conducts training sessions for business office staff and administrators on school finance topics.
Administration
James M. Merrins, Ed.D., SDA, SBA
Jim Merrins is Executive Program Administrator of Educational Support Services. He has trained over 1,000 claims auditors, deputy claims auditors and business office personnel. He has administered the Claims Auditors Conferences and teaches numerous fiscal workshops for superintendents and school business personnel, including Fiscal Navigation for Superintendents, and Introduction to Extraclassroom Activity Funds. Jim has over 40 years experience in school administration, including as Superintendent of Schools in Fredonia (12 years) and Honeoye (4 years), New York. Dr. Merrins is NYS certified as a School District Administrator and School Business Administrator. Dr. Merrins taught school finance and school law at SUNY colleges for several years.
Costs
The cost of this workshop is $245 for the first participant, plus $225 for the second participant, plus $195 for the third and subsequent participants from the same school district or firm.
Materials
Each workshop participant will receive workshop-related materials.
Hosted and administered by ESS
James M. Merrins, Ed.D., Executive Program Administrator
ESS Policies, Terms, and Conditions [HERE]
Method of Payment Information
Registration Information
Cancellation Policy
Contact James Merrins, Ed.D.
Comments, corrections, source documents, and questions welcome
Educational Support Services
42 Rosalyn Court, Fredonia, New York 14063
(716) 672-5473, FAX (716) 672-5472, jmerrins@cecomet.net