Project Summary

Project Publications

Project Team

In May 1999, the International Studies Program at the Andrew Young School hosted thirteen senior local government officials from Palestine for the Palestine Local Government Fund Accounting and Budget System Training Program. The program was sponsored by the World Bank and the Municipal Infrastructure Development Program run by the Palestine National Authority. The two-week training program concentrated on the development of the knowledge of finance officers regarding accounting principles and budget systems characteristic of local governments in the United States.

The training program offered an introduction to fiscal federalism, with a focus on the revenues and expenditures predominant at each level of government. Then, program lectures concentrated on accounting principles as prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board related to the financial accountability of state and local governments in the United States. In addition, guest lectures included local government finance directors, budget makers, managers, and council members who provided information regarding the practices typical of their specific governments and offices.

Participants received hands on application of financial analysis tools by completing several exercises involving accounting problems as well as assessment of local government fiscal capacity. The program included several site visits to local finance and budget offices in the Atlanta area.

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Project Publications:

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Project Team:

 Jorge Martinez-Vazquez - Project Director, Tax Policy Expert

 Katherine Willoughby - Tax Policy Expert

Ross Rubenstein - Tax Policy Expert

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