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 standalone certificate program consisting of two units. Although it is recommended that you register to take one unit at a time, we do leave the decision up to the individual. You are the best person to determine if you can commit to the curriculum and schedule for more than one unit during the same term. Successful completion of the two 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.

Program Format

MAFP is available in two formats:
  • Correspondence Format: In this format, you are required to read the textbook, submit assignments and participate in graded discussion forum activities, which will take place through discussions boards in AMCTO Connect online learning platform. This format does not require you to join a meeting, web conference, or call at a specific time but rather you work at your own pace according to a given schedule, to accomplish the assignments and discussion forums. You will be assigned to a marker who will grade your submissions. If you have questions the marker can answer them, but there is no live lecture or instruction. Instead, all activities and communication are performed via AMCTO Connect.
  • Zoom Format: In this format, you are also required to read the textbook and submit assignments according to a given schedule, through the online learning platform AMCTO Connect. However in this format, you will be assigned to an instructor, who will deliver a series of live classes through Zoom so you are also required to attend the classes at the scheduled times. Assignment due dates are usually in between the classes.
  • Please note: A new version of MAFP Unit 1 was introduced during the Fall 2022 and the new version of MAFP Unit 2 will be introduced in the Winter 2023. There is no longer an exam at the end of each unit. The exam has been replaced by a final assignment. Details will be provided when you have access to the syllabus in AMCTO Connect.

Correspondence Format Tuition Fees

$435.05 ($385.00 + $50.05 HST) for each unit.

All course materials including the textbook are provided through online access. If you would like a hard copy of the textbook, an additional $40 fee applies and the total will be $480.25 ($385.00 + $40.00 + $55.25 HST)Hard copy textbooks are shipped after registration closes.

​​Correspondence Course 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 ($100.00 + $13.00 HST). In order to receive the partial refund, you must submit written notice of your cancellation to Education Department. 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.

Zoom Format Tuition Fees

$536.75 ($475.00 + $61.75 HST) for each unit.

All course materials are provided through online access. If you would like a hard copy of the textbook, an additional $40 fee applies and the total will be $581.95 ($475.00 + $40.00 + $66.95 HST)Hard copy textbooks are shipped after registration closes.

Zoom Format Refund Policy: All cancellations must be confirmed in writing to Education Department. A refund levy of $113.00 per unit ($100.00 + $13.00 HST) will be applied to all cancellations received up to fourteen (14) business days prior to event date. Refunds are not granted for cancellations made within thirteen (13) days or less of the event date. A student cannot transfer their registration or payment to a later date. No returns accepted or no refunds for the hard copy textbook.

Unit Descriptions & Registration for Correspondence Format

MAFP Unit 1 - Introduction to Municipal Accounting and Financial Reporting

MAFP Unit 1 introduces the basics of accounting and financial reporting requirements for Ontario municipalities, and how they generate revenues and account for expenses. This includes an exploration of legislative requirements, Public Sector Accounting Standards, the property taxation system, tangible capital assets, and various types of financial reports.

Registration was extended to January 13 but is now closed for the Winter 2023 term. Registration will open July 2 for the Fall 2023 term and details will be posted by the end of June.


MAFP Unit 2 - Integrated Financial Planning

MAFP Unit 2 focuses on different aspects of financial planning that are important to the financial sustainability of a municipality, including budgeting, asset management, treasury management, and financial strategy and policy. It introduces frameworks and practices that can help municipalities in Ontario manage their finances and assets strategically with a long-term view.

Registration was extended to January 13 but is now closed for the Winter 2023 term. Registration will open July 2 for the Fall 2023 term and details will be posted by the end of June.


Registration for Zoom Format

MAFP Unit 1 - Introduction to Municipal Accounting and Financial Reporting (5 Days)

Registration closed February 9 for the Winter 2023 offering of the MAFP Unit 1 zoom format. Registration will open December 1 for the next offering of the zoom format for MAFP Unit 1 during the Winter 2024. There are no waiting lists.

Revised January 12, 2023 - Start time for March 23 has changed
Dates for MAFP Unit 1 Zoom classes: 
Each day is from 9 am to 2 pm with sign-in at 8:45 am, with the exception of March 23. Due to a scheduling conflict for the Instructor, March 23 will be from 11 am to 4 pm.

March 9: From 9 am to 2 pm with sign-in at 8:45 am
March 23: From 11 am to 4 pm with sign-in at 10:45 am
April 6: From 9 am to 2 pm with sign-in at 8:45 am
April 20: From 9 am to 2 pm with sign-in at 8:45 am
May 4: From 9 am to 2 pm with sign-in at 8:45 am
Details will be provided when you have access to the syllabus in AMCTO Connect.

Instructor: Gayle J. Frost, AMCT. Please click here to see Gayles's full BIO.


MAFP Unit 2 - Integrated Financial Planning (5 Days)

Next offering of the zoom format will be during the Fall 2023 term. Registration will open July 2 and details will be available at that time. There is no waiting list.


Challenging a MAFP Unit

Applicants must have a minimum of five-years related municipal experience in a senior supervisory role 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.
 

Challenge Fee with PDF version of textbook: $282.50 per unit (250.00 + 32.50 HST #R106732936)
Challenge Fee with PDF and Hardcopy of textbook: $327.70 per unit (250.00 + 40.00 + 37.70 HST #R106732936)

Those who meet the minimum requirements mentioned above and are interested in registering to challenge any MAFP Unit, submit the MAFP Challenge Application  to Education Department.
(only available when the correspondence registration is open).