Administrative Fiscal Staff (AFS) Workshop

Course Description

This workshop is appropriate for Domestic Relations Section (DRS) directors and fiscal staff responsible for the recordkeeping and reporting of the DRS fiscal operations to the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (BCSE).

The focus of the workshop is to provide background and guidance to county fiscal staff on how to submit and better manage the records and forms required for accurate fiscal operation of the Title IV-D Child Support Enforcement (CSE) Program. Staff from BCSE will share strategies and best practices to:

• Ensure county fiscal procedures meet Federal and State requirements;
• Maximize Federal Financial Participation (FFP) for eligible expenditures; and
• Minimize staff error and effort related to fiscal recordkeeping and reporting requirements. 

The primary topics addressed in the workshop are the following:

1. Electronic forms for fiscal reporting available in an Excel format
   • Types of electronic forms available
   • Hands on experience and guidance on how to use the forms
   • Opportunity to question BCSE staff on proper completion and use of the forms
2. BCSE Fiscal Unit and financial field audit findings – Hear recommendations on how to record and submit accurate and timely information to BCSE
   • Review of items that must be submitted to BCSE by the DRSs and when the required submissions are due each year
   • How to avoid common accounting mistakes and audit findings
     • Reconciliation between county ledgers and Monthly Statement of Expenditure (MSE) forms
     • Retirement reconciliation worksheet
     • Depreciation schedules
     • Back-up documentation
     • Contracts and legal service agreements
     • Personnel activity reports (PARs)
     • Disposition of property
     • Unallowable expenditures
     • Employee time certifications
   • Audit preparation tips
3. Review fiscal and operational strategies to address the loss of FFP on earned incentives and genetic testing costs
   • Restructure accounting practices and payment for expenditures
   • Consider operational changes to improve performance measures
   • Share practices your DRS has implemented
     

3 hours

Course Level

Workshop These brief intensive educational programs are designed for a relatively small group of people and focus on techniques and skills in a particular field.