Education & Events
 

Municipal Accounting & Finance Program (MAFP)



 
 

Municipal Accounting and Finance Program (MAFP)

MAFP provides the fundamentals of finance as well as an overview of the legislation that impacts accounting and financial management within the municipal environment. MAFP is a stand-a-lone certificate program consisting of two units. Successful completion of the two program units within a two-year timeline is one of the four elements of AMCTO's Diploma in Municipal Administration (DMA).

Each year, AMCTO presents an award for excellence to the student who attains the highest cumulative mark upon completion of the two units of this program.

Registration is now closed for the Fall 2018 Term and we are no longer accepting registrations. Set your calendar for December 1st, when registration will open for the Winter 2019 Term. Details will be posted by the end of November 2018.

MAFP Unit 1 - Introduction to Municipal Accounting and Financial Reporting

Provides a general introduction to municipal accounting and financial reporting. It defines and discusses the two major objectives of accounting in the public sector as well provide an overview of the nature and significance of reporting entities with respect to public sector accounting, including the legal framework within which municipal accounting occurs. The discussion also examines municipal budgeting, distinguishing between capital and current budgets and explaining the links between them.  Some of the lessons further discuss Municipal expenditures, addressing key concepts such as the expenditure, disbursement, and expense, and cash versus accrual versus encumbrance accounting.  The Unit also covers two aspects of municipal revenues; the first relating to transfers and miscellaneous local revenues; and the second focusing on property taxation, including the system of property assessment in Ontario, the calculation of property taxes and the methods of collecting and enforcing payment of taxes.
MAFP Unit 1 Outline

MAFP Unit 2 - Capital Infrastructure, Fund Accounting and Reporting

Addresses concepts, methods and issues relating to capital infrastructure, fund accounting and reporting. The discussion begins with an overview of the changing world of capital expenditures, explaining key concepts like municipal capital expenditures, and distinguishing between capital expenditures, a capital budget, and a long term capital program. Some lessons also examine capital project control and debt administration, including capital project supervision and reporting techniques, measurement of a municipality’s debt capacity and the legal documentation related to debenture issues. Other topics explore Boards and Commissions and miscellaneous fund accounting matters as well as explain the financial relationships, both current and capital, between Municipal councils and boards.  Finally, some of the lessons in the Unit address Municipal Audit and Financial Statements and the concepts, processes and issues relating to the Financial Information Return (FIR).
MAFP Unit 2 Outline

Correspondence-Online Tuition Fees

All course materials are provided online including the unit textbook
Fee for each unit with PDF version of textbook is $406.80 (360.00 + 46.80 HST #R106732936)
Fee for each unit with PDF and Hardcopy of textbook is $446.35 (360.00 + 35.00 + 51.35 HST #R106732936)
Note: Hardcopy textbook will be shipped after registration closes.

Registration forms can be found on the Assignment Schedule page.

Challenging a MAFP Unit

Applicants must have a minimum of five-years related municipal experience in a senior supervisory role and/or courses to receive approval to challenge any unit of MAFP. Challenging any unit of MAFP is an opportunity to receive credit for a specific MAFP Unit without submitting assignments. Approved applicants will be required to submit a paper and write an exam for each unit. An overall minimum passing grade of 70% must be attained to gain credit for the specific MAFP Unit you are challenging.

2018 Fees

Challenge Fee with PDF version of textbook: $248.60 per unit (220.00 + 28.60 HST #R106732936)
Challenge Fee with PDF and Hardcopy of textbook: $288.15 per unit (220.00 + 35.00 + 33.15 HST #R106732936)

Those who meet the minimum requirements mentioned above and are interested in applying to challenge any MAFP Unit, submit the MAFP Challenge Application to Rosita Bourke.

 

Refund Policy: A student who cancels from any Unit before the first scheduled assignment due date is entitled to a partial refund of fees less a refund levy of $113.00 (includes HST). In order to receive the partial refund, you must submit written notice of your cancellation to Rosita Bourke. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received after the first scheduled assignment due date. A student cannot transfer their registration or payment to a later date. No returns accepted or no refunds for the hard copy textbook.