The Certificate in Local School Financial Management is the first in-depth professional development training programme in the USA specifically offered to local school support personnel. It is composed of three modules of study with 10 courses over a two year period. The objectives of the program look at challenges and solutions for school financial personnel, such as:

• Creating more efficient work practices to manage finances and budgets with school systems

• Gaining additional knowledge and understanding about your current role with more information on accounting, budget and finance reporting and school law

• Maximizing personal and professional development to better perform in current role

“The purpose of the program is to develop future leaders in School Business Management,” said David Smith, Executive Director of AASBO.

Alabama Department of Education know that fiscal responsibility and accountability are crucial elements in the business of managing schools. They have founded the course to help increase knowledge and enhance professionalism among Alabama’s local school financial personnel, working with the Alabama Association of School Business Officials (AASBO), the University of Alabama, and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Alabama’s new collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University brings international certification as well as curriculum input and a more diverse development of the program. Ray Moorcroft, Head of the Partnerships Department at MMU, said:

“MMU is delighted to learn from the American system and the international aspect legitimizes the profession,”

The goal of AASBO and all partners are to raise employment standards, provide professional development training and to elevate the quality of work performed by all financial personnel in Alabama’s schools and administrative offices.

“The partnership with the Alabama Department of Education, the Alabama Association of School Business Officers, and the University of Alabama has created a training model that meets the unique requirements specified in Alabama’s financial accountability standards,” said Craig Pouncey, Assistant Superintendent of Administration and Finance for the State Education Department.  With the addition of Manchester Metropolitan University, Alabama now offers top notch professional development training on an international level.