Course Objectives
Topics to be covered include the following:
- Basics of capital planning and budgeting: terminology, scope, and rationale for process
- Process for developing a capital improvement plan and for establishing priorities for projects
- Capital financing options and strategies
- State and local government capital planning and financing requirements in South Carolina
- Tax exempt borrowing: options for structuring debt and process leading to sale of debt instruments
- Long-range financial forecasting: determination of how much debt a jurisdiction can afford
- Creative financing options
Required Course Materials
It is your responsibility to supply the following materials for the course:
- Tax-Exempt Financing: A Primer - will be furnished the first day of class
- Benchmarking and Measuring Debt Capacity - will be furnished the first day of class
- “GFOA Best Practices” in Capital Planning and Debt Management – to be furnished for download on first day of class
Exam Schedule
Exam II - Capital Planning and Forecasting
Online Fall Exams
Window 1: Sept. 29 - Oct. 10, 2025 (1 session)
Window 2: Nov. 3-14, 2025 (1 session)
Online Spring Exams
Window 3: Feb. 2 - 13, 2026 (1 session)
Window 4: March 23 - April 3, 2026 (1 session)
A member of the professional education team will coordinate with students individually
to schedule an online exam time during the scheduled exam period.
System requirements for online GFOA exams: Windows: 10 (but not 10S), 8, 7, or Vista
or Mac: OS X 10.5 or higher. Students must also have a web camera (internal or external),
microphone and a broadband internet connection.
Students participating in online GFOA exams will be permitted to use a single-line, basic calculator, (3) dry-erase boards (12" X 9" recommended size), and a dry-erase marker during each GFOA exam. Students can use dry-erase boards to work through exam problems and will be required to show blank dry-erase boards at the end of the testing session.
Meet Your Instructor
James E. Kirk
Budget Director at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia, and former Budget Director, Business and Finance Division, University of South Carolina
Jim earned the Bachelor in Arts in Economics from Vanderbilt University and the Master of Public Administration from George Washington University. Jim was the Deputy State Director for Fiscal Management at the South Carolina Department of Social Services and also served as the Deputy Commissioner for Fiscal Affairs at the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. His other government experience includes working as a Budget Analyst for the Governor's Office, the State Auditor's Office, and Arlington County, Virginia. Jim was a Research Associate with the University of South Carolina Bureau of Governmental Research and Service (now the Institute for Public Service and Policy Research) from 1977-1980 and is the author of several publications on financial management and administration.
Registration and Fees
Please note: Space is limited, and your seat in the course is not confirmed until payment is received. Additionally, payment must be received at least seven days before the start of the course by Noon EST on the seventh day.
Continuing Education and Conferences (CEC) is committed to supporting learning and engagement for all program participants by providing appropriate accommodations. If you have a documented disability and need accommodations, please contact the ADA Coordinator at accessibility@sc.edu.
| Dates / Sessions | Times | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| GFOA - Capital Planning & Forecasting Course 10/09/2025 - 10/10/2025 Thursday - Friday 2 Sessions Register Online Notes: Orientation information will be emailed approximately one week before the course starts. |
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | $250.00 |
| GFOA Exam II - Capital Planning & Forecasting 09/29/2025 – 04/03/2026 All Testing Periods Register Online Notes: This Exam will be held online. A member of the professional education team will coordinate with you to schedule an online exam time during the scheduled exam period. |
Various | $60.00 |
Registration and Payment Notes
We accept online payment via VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express through MarketPlace, a secure
electronic environment that simplifies business transactions with the university.
Follow the MarketPlace prompts to complete payment. Your transaction is only complete
when you receive an order number, which is your receipt of payment. Your seat is not
guaranteed until payment is received and you receive an order number.
Once you have paid and are enrolled, you'll be emailed location and parking information for face-to-face programs or online
instructions about one week before the program begins.