Our training sessions have been developed to give NSW councillors the knowledge they need to actively contribute to discussion on financial matters, and the confidence to do so. After completing these training sessions, councillors will be able to fully understand the reports management provide to them, and fulfil their role to oversee financial accountability.
You will learn everything you need to fulfil your financial oversight responsibilities under the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW); and to contribute to the sound financial management of your council.
These training sessions will count toward your Continuing Professional Development requirements under Part 8A of the NSW Local Government Regulations 2021.
This session has been designed for elected councillors that do not have an accounting background. We’ll cover all the fundamental topics that will help you to understand what it is you are reviewing in your business papers:
- The components of Financial Statements
- How to conduct a high level review of Annual Financial Statements
- Issues to look out for in Financial Statements
- Introduction to Depreciation
The sessions are conducted with your own council’s financial reports and are designed to be fun and engaging. The sessions will give you the confidence to know that you understand what you’re approving, and to question the things you are not comfortable with.
Reviewing Council Financial Statements
Monday 18th of August 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Tuesday 19th of August 10:00am to 12:00pm
Wednesday 20th of August 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Monday 1st of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Tuesday 2nd of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Wednesday 3rd of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Monday 8th of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Tuesday 9th of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Wednesday 10th of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Monday 15th of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Tuesday 16th of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Wednesday 17th of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Monday 22nd of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Tuesday 23rd of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Wednesday 24th of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Monday 29th of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Tuesday 30th of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Cost: $550
This course has been designed for elected councillors that do not have an accounting background. We’ll cover all the fundamental topics that will help you to understand what it is you are reviewing in your business papers:
- Depreciation of Infrastructure Assets
- Infrastructure maintenance: Getting the basics right
- Performance ratios: what they mean and what they mask
The course will be conducted with your own council’s Financial Statements and Report on Infrastructure Assets. We’ll review the reports to get a sense of what your council’s infrastructure backlog is, and how you might go about addressing it.
This module will count toward your Continuing Professional Development requirements under Part 8A of the NSW Local Government Regulations 2021.
Reviewing Council Financial Performance: Infrastructure Management
Thursday 4th of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Thursday 11th of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Thursday 25th of Septmeber 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Cost: $550
This report can show early signs that council is in trouble, but how do you know what to look for? This course has been designed for elected councillors to better understand what they are reviewing in the monthly Report ion Council Investments which is required under s 212 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW).
- Restricted and Unrestricted Funds
- Allowable Investments
- What to look for and ask for in a report
The course will be conducted with your own council’s Report on Council Investments, and we’ll also look at some other councils that missed the red flags in these reports.
This training will count toward your Continuing Professional Development requirements under Part 8A of the NSW Local Government Regulations 2021.
Reviewing Reports on Council Investments
Friday 5th of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Friday 12th of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Friday 19th of September 2025 10:00am to 12:00pm
Cost: $330
In this session, Councillors will learn the process of getting their projects up and running, from conception to delivery. Beginning with stakeholder engagement, we’ll run through the process of how projects get delivered.
- Drafting motions for projects
- How to put time lines on your project
- How to find money in the budget to fund your project
- How to ensure your project advances between meetings
Essentially, this one hour session is all about getting things done. Find it, fund it, build it. No delays, no foot dragging: let’s get that playground upgrade happening!
Getting Things Done on Council: How to get your project moving
Thursday 18th of September 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Thursday 25th of September 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Cost: $330
