Education & Events
 

Municipal Accounting & Finance Program (MAFP)



 
 

Municipal Accounting and Finance Program (MAFP)

MAFP provides the fundamentals of finance as well as an overview of the legislation that impacts accounting and financial management within the municipal environment. MAFP is a stand-a-lone certificate program consisting of two units. Although it is recommended that you register to take one unit at a time, we do leave the decision up to the individual. You are the best person to determine if you can commit to the curriculum and schedule for more than one unit during the same term. Successful completion of the two units within a two-year timeline is one of the four elements of AMCTO's Diploma in Municipal Administration (DMA).

Each year, AMCTO presents an award for excellence to the student who attains the highest cumulative mark upon completion of the two units of this program.

Program Format

MAFP is available in two formats:
  • Correspondence Format: In this format, you are required to read the textbook, submit assignments, and complete an exam (if applicable to the unit) according to a given schedule. You will be assigned to a marker who will grade your submissions. If you have questions the marker can answer them, but there is no live lecture or instruction. Instead, all activities and communication are performed via the AMCTO Connect online learning platform.
  • Zoom Format: In this format, you are also required to read the textbook, submit assignments, and complete an exam (if applicable to the unit) through the AMCTO Connect online learning platform. However, unlike the correspondence format, an instructor will deliver a series of live classes through Zoom. You are required to attend these classes at the scheduled times.
  • Please note: A new version of MAFP Unit 1 will be introduced in Fall 2022. The revised unit will include graded discussion forum activities, which will take place through discussions boards in AMCTO Connect. They do not require you to join a meeting, web conference, or call at a specific time. 

Correspondence Format (LMS) Tuition Fees

$412.45 ($365.00 + $47.45 HST) for each unit.

All course materials including the textbook are provided through online access. If you would like a hard copy of the textbook, an additional $35 fee applies and the total will be $452.00 ($365.00 + $35.00 + $52.00 HST). Hard copy textbooks are shipped after registration closes.

​​Correspondence Course Refund Policy: A student who cancels from any Unit before the first scheduled assignment due date is entitled to a partial refund of fees less a refund levy of $113.00 ($100.00 + $13.00 HST). In order to receive the partial refund, you must submit written notice of your cancellation to Education Department. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received after the first scheduled assignment due date. A student cannot transfer their registration or payment to a later date. No returns accepted or no refunds for the hard copy textbook.

Zoom Format Tuition Fees

$508.50 ($450.00 + $58.50 HST) for each unit.

All course materials are provided through online access.

Zoom Format Refund Policy: All cancellations must be confirmed in writing to Education Department. A refund levy of $113.00 per unit ($100.00 + $13.00 HST) will be applied to all cancellations received up to fourteen (14) business days prior to the event. Refunds are not granted for cancellations made within thirteen (13) days or less of the event date.
Registration for the MAFP Unit 1 Correspondence Offering - Introduction to Municipal Accounting and Financial Reporting

MAFP Unit 1 is designed to introduce the students to the basics of accounting and financial reporting requirements of Ontario municipalities as of the 2019 fiscal year. This will include an exploration of legislative requirements as well as public sector accounting standards and guidelines. It is important to note that each province have different legislation governing municipal finance. However, all municipalities are required to follow Public Sector Accounting Board Standards. Further, municipalities in Ontario vary in its services depending upon their type: upper-tier, lower-tier and single tier. When reading and comparing financial information and statements, this knowledge is important as no two municipalities are the same. Much of Unit 1 focuses on basic, mandatory financial accounting and reporting and are generally considered “minimum” requirements.

NEW - MAFP Unit 1 was updated for the Fall 2022 term. There is no longer an end of unit exam but the course has six assessments that will be graded, rather than five assignments. Details will be provided when you have access to the syllabus in AMCTO Connect.

Registration is open from July 2 to August 5 for the Fall Term correspondence courses that will run from September to December 2022. Capacity for all the correspondence courses have a set maximum so there is no guarantee that spaces will be available until August 5.
MAFP Unit 1 Outline is currently unavailable. Check back in mid-July.

Registration for the MAFP Unit 2 Correspondence Offering - Financial Planning and Asset Management

MAFP Unit 2 of the program will build on Unit 1 by exploring budgeting, financial planning and asset management.  Most of this unit explores emerging best practice and will provide a basis for improvements in municipal financial management.  Municipalities will each have their unique approach to financial planning and the unit will only provide a brief overview.  Students are encouraged to research the approaches by several municipalities to gain an understanding of changing financial management practices.

NOTE: MAFP Unit 2 remains to have five assingments and an end of unit exam for the Fall 2022 term. It will be updated to the new assessments during the next review.

Registration is open from July 2 to August 5 for the Fall Term correspondence courses that will run from September to December 2022. Capacity for all the correspondence courses have a set maximum so there is no guarantee that spaces will be available until August 5.
MAFP Unit 2 Outline

Challenging a MAFP Unit

Applicants must have a minimum of five-years related municipal experience in a senior supervisory role and/or courses to receive approval to challenge any unit of MAFP. Challenging any unit of MAFP is an opportunity to receive credit for a specific MAFP Unit without submitting assignments. Approved applicants will be required to submit a paper and write an exam for each unit. An overall minimum passing grade of 70% must be attained to gain credit for the specific MAFP Unit you are challenging.
 

Challenge Fee with PDF version of textbook: $265.55 per unit (235.00 + 30.55 HST #R106732936)
Challenge Fee with PDF and Hardcopy of textbook: $305.10 per unit (235.00 + 35.00 + 35.10 HST #R106732936)

Those who meet the minimum requirements mentioned above and are interested in registering to challenge any MAFP Unit, submit the MAFP Challenge Application  to Rosita Bourke.
(only available when the correspondence registration is open).

Registration for Digital Format (Zoom) Classes

MAFP Unit 1 - Introduction to Municipal Accounting and Financial Reporting (5 Days)

Next offering will be during the Winter 2023 term. Registration will open December 1 and details will be available at that time. There is no waiting list.
MAFP Unit 2 - Financial Planning and Asset Management (5 Days)

Registration is open from July 2 to August 5 or until class reaches capacity - there is no waiting list.

Fee for each Unit: $508.50 ($450.00 + $58.50 HST). Includes all unit materials provided through online access.

Curriculum: In this format, you are required to read the textbook, submit assignments, and complete an exam according to a given schedule that will be performed via AMCTO Connect portal but you will also be required to attend a series of live online classes delivered by an instructor via Zoom.

Attendance is essential to this format of learning however, these sessions will be recorded. In the event that you are unable to attend any one of these dates, you will have the opportunity to listen to the presentation at a later date.

Dates for MAFP Unit 2 Zoom classes: Each day is from 9 am to 2 pm with sign-in at 8:45 am.September 29, October 13, October 27, November 10 and November 24
*Exam window: December 8-10

*The exam will be available in AMCTO Connect for 72 hours. You can start the exam at any point during the exam period, but once you start you must submit it within 24 hours or by the end of the 72 hours, whichever comes first. Therefore, registration for the exam is no longer required. Instructions will be provided in AMCTO Connect.

Instructor: Sarah Huskinson, Dipl.M.A., CPA, CGA. Please click here to see Sarah's full BIO.