The paper should focus on the selection of one of the topics below to integrate readings and class discussions into work and life experiences. It should include explanation and examples from previous experiences as well as implications for future applications.

Choose one of the following topics for your paper:

1. Your role is as a public official elected at the local city level (50,000 to 250,000 population).

Prepare an 8 page paper, plus references, on the following topic:

You have a $10 million dollar budget allocated to you by the city manager and can get up to 100 % matching federal funds if you meet the federal standards. You have been asked by the mayor to determine how to allocate the budget to best support the needs of the city. These could include, but are not limited to supporting capital requirements, operational requirements, and subsidizing non-profit organizations or economic incentives to bring new private concerns into the city. 

Prepare a report for the mayor and city council on your proposed expenditure plan reflecting on the key course objectives. In this report, you should accomplish the following tasks:

• Examine the differences between the public and private sector accounting principles.
• Integrate fund accounting and financial controls.
• Assess the approaches of control and management of public expenditures with a recommendation of the best approach.
• Explain government financial reporting requirements
• Analyze financial statements and budgets to make appropriate administrative decisions, and apply the budgets as a disciplinary process.

2. Your role is as a consultant with ten years experience in the public financial management industry. 

Prepare an 8 page paper, plus references, on the following topic:

You are in the role of a consultant in the public financial management industry. A group of 20 civic leaders are considering forming a new task force and have asked you to prepare a report on whether they should build a facility in an area within 30 miles of the downtown center of your 500,000 population city. The project has a budget of $100 million for you to base your report on.

Prepare a report for the mayor and city council on your proposed expenditure plan reflecting on the key course objectives. In this report, you should accomplish the following tasks:

• Examine the differences between the public and private sector accounting principles.
• Integrate fund accounting and financial controls.
• Assess the approaches of control and management of public expenditures with a recommendation of the best approach.
• Explain government financial reporting requirements
• Analyze financial statements and budgets to make appropriate administrative decisions, and apply the budgets as a disciplinary process.

3. Your role is as the chief operating officer of a large non-profit hospital.

Prepare an 8 to 10 page paper, plus references, on the following topic:

You are in the role of a chief operating officer. The board of directors has requested that you prepare a summary of the issues involved in a $50 million expansion. Because of local political issues and the uncertainty of the financial policy of recently elected U.S. officials, they may have to scale the expansion back to $25 million. 

Prepare a report for the mayor and city council on your proposed expenditure plan reflecting on the key course objectives. In this report, you should accomplish the following tasks:

• Examine the differences between the public and private sector accounting principles.
• Integrate fund accounting and financial controls.
• Assess the approaches of control and management of public expenditures with a recommendation of the best approach.
• Explain government financial reporting requirements
• Analyze financial statements and budgets to make appropriate administrative decisions, and apply the budgets as a disciplinary process.

4. Your role is as the chief administrative officer of a large non-profit health relief organization. 

Prepare an 8 page paper, plus references, on the following topic:

You are in the role of a chief administrative officer for a large non-profit health relief organization. A board of directors has requested that you prepare a summary of the issues about how to solve the health needs of an African country. Your organization has limited funding and will need to obtain subsidized medicine from major pharmaceutical companies. They also have the opportunity to get non-generic, non-USDA approved, alternative stem cell-derived medication from foreign sources.  

Prepare a report for the mayor and city council on your proposed expenditure plan reflecting on the key course objectives. In this report, you should accomplish the following tasks:

• Examine the differences between the public and private sector accounting principles.
• Integrate fund accounting and financial controls.
• Assess the approaches of control and management of public expenditures with a recommendation of the best approach.
• Explain government financial reporting requirements
• Analyze financial statements and budgets to make appropriate administrative decisions, and apply the budgets as a disciplinary process.

Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:

• Must be eight double-spaced pages in length (not including the title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved APA style guide.
• Must include a cover page that includes:
  – Title of paper
  – Student’s name
  – Course name and number
  – Instructor’s name
  – Date submitted
• Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement.
• Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
• Must conclude with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph.
• Must use at least three academic resources.
• Must use APA style as outlined in the approved APA style guide to document all sources.
• Must include, on the final page, a Reference Page that is completed according to APA style as outlined in the approved APA style guide.