Financial compliance is critical to the success of our centers and our network.
It’s also one of the most complex management challenges for Women’s Business Centers leaders.
Preparing for Change
A recent U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of the Inspector General (SBA OIG) report (released May 2021) found that the SBA did not provide effective oversight over the WBC program, citing deficiencies identified during sample audits of several WBCs. As a result, SBA has represented that it will, among other things, create procedures for conducting thorough financial compliance reviews and better train their personnel going forward. To help WBCs prepare for increased financial oversight, AWBC has teamed with Squire Patton Boggs, a law firm with deep knowledge of the SBA and the WBC Program, to offer a three-part financial compliance training series*, Financial Foundations: Managing the Complex Business of Your Core Grant
Who will benefit from attending?
This series is appropriate for all knowledge levels, from novice to expert. Content will be especially beneficial to any Host Organization and/or WBC staff or contract support responsible for financial management and reporting, including:
- Directors
- Compliance Officers
- CFOs or other financial professionals
- Contract accounting/bookkeeping support
Module 2: Maintaining Sufficient Financial Records
August 25, 2021
2 PM-4PM ET
In this live webinar, participants will gain a greater understanding of the practical impacts of the SBA OIG report including anticipated new policies and procedures related to substantiating financial records. This module will focus on procurement, program income, and matching contributions and participants will review and receive model policies they can use to help guide their record keeping processes.
Participants will receive:
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- Model Procurement Policies & Procedures
- Model Conflicts of Interest Policy & Procedures
- Model Policy for Program Income Earned
- Model Policy for Matching Contributions
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Module 3: Financial Management and Reporting & The Appropriate Use of Grant Funds
September 23, 2021
2 PM-4PM ET
In this live webinar, participants will gain a greater understanding of the practical impacts of the SBA OIG report including anticipated new policies and procedures related to financial reports. Participants will learn best practices to determine the appropriate use of grant funds- including permissible expenditures and budget transfers as well as best practices for financial accounting systems.
Participants will receive:
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- Model Policy determining allowable, allocable, and reasonable expenses
- Model Policy for proper budget transfers.
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*The training design has been reviewed and approved by OWBO and may serve to fulfill the training hours requirements required of WBC Directors. This training is designed to complement, not supplant, any previous or future guidance provided directly by SBA/OWBO.