Organization Financial Report/Budget Report
Students will critically examine the budget of either a federal, state, local government or nonprofit/for profit organization and identify a problem or opportunity, and propose how to address it or improve/strengthen it. If it is an opportunity, propose how to expand upon it and argue the benefits of doing so. If it’s a problem such as a budget deficit or improper allocation/expenditure of funds, propose how funds can be reallocated efficiently to produce the best possible outcome for clients, customers (especially with good attention to vulnerable and underserved populations), stakeholders, or the community; and identify what the organization can do to save money, generate profit or obtain a balanced budget. The budget is examined as public values and priorities monetized. Students develop skills in preparing, managing, and analyzing capital and operating budgets, and using analytical techniques that aid budgetary decision-making. They also develop knowledge competencies empowering them to analyze a setting/agency to anticipate challenges and opportunities. Students will understand how the budgeting process and decision affect policies, programs, and practices including service delivery to clients. Students will demonstrate perceptive awareness, demonstrate a complex ability to analyze and weigh different facts and ideas, use critical thinking skills to make informed decisions on issues of policy. Additionally, this will inculcate into students the theory and practice/application of the budget process from development to adoption, and understand how the critical decision makings associated with budgeting is essential to human service organizations. Moreover, it helps students understand the dynamics and essentials of the budget or financial asset/capital at the micro (personal/professional level) and at the macro level (organizational, community, local, state, and national level). Students will also explore and understand the ethicality of budgeting/financial responsibility and accountability, public or private finance and revenue generation and taxation process; and from a social justice perspective, critically question and analyze if the budgetary/public finance and taxation, as well as revenue generation, and expenditure processes are fair, equal, and just and neutral as public policy generally requires.
