Budget Academy: Foundations of Financial Management at UMBC

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Budget Academy: Foundations of Financial Management at UMBC

Budget Academy is designed for UMBC mid-level managers seeking a foundational understanding of the university’s financial systems, jargon, and budget development processes. Through in-person sessions and hands-on assignments, participants learn to construct, justify, and manage budgets aligned with UMBC’s operational practices.

Topics include budget models, spreadsheet construction, personnel budgeting, fringe benefit considerations, operating costs, tracking expenditures, reconciliation, and internal controls. By the end of the course, learners will complete a post-assessment to demonstrate their knowledge of institutional budgeting concepts and procedures.

Earning Criteria

- Participate in at least 80% of the Budget Academy sessions (in-person or hybrid)
- Complete the Blackboard-based post-assessment with a score of 85% or higher

Additional Details

Time to Complete

Approximately 10 weeks, meeting every other Thursday (75 minutes per session), plus independent learning and assessment completion.

Career Alignment

- Higher Education Administration
- Budget Analyst
- Program Director

Context

Budget Academy sessions are held in person biweekly for 75 minutes, covering institutional budgeting concepts and culminating in a summative post-assessment. The course is hosted in Blackboard where all materials, the pre-test, and post-assessment are administered.
Trisha Wells

Trisha Wells

Assistant Vice Provost, Operations

Division of Professional Studies

Sherman Hall (Academic IV Bldg) 478

twells@umbc.edu

+1 410 455 2747