This textbook provides an overview of the budgeting and financial management laws and practices applicable to local governments and public authorities in North Carolina. The new edition is divided into four main sections. 1. Legal Framework This section provides an overview of the public purpose clause, the fundamental constitutional limitation on local government finance; and the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. 2. Budgeting and Revenues These chapters summarize budgeting processes and identify revenue sources available to fund both operating and capital expenses. This section also includes a detailed discussion of the property tax administration and provides revenue forecasting tools for local officials. 3. Financial Management Chapters within this section discuss cash management and investments; preaudits and disbursements; and accounting, financial reporting and auditing requirements. 4. Select Expenditure Categories The final section highlights some of the major expenditure areas for local governments, including general purchasing and contracting, public enterprises, public schools, and community and economic development. This edition covers legislative changes through July 1, 2016. It replaces the second edition published in fall 2014.

State and local governments are at a financial crossroads. As the federal government attempts to reduce its deficits, state governments will have to provide a greater share of support for mandatory social programs. Local governments face demands for new initiatives in education and for civic improvements. Both have obligations to employee pension plans that are large and still relatively untested. Running counter to these claims on state and local budgets is a voter effort to limit the amounts that governments may tax or spend. This fourth edition of James A. Maxwell's classic and widely acclaimed book will help both layman and lawmaker understand the choices open to their governments. It provides a lucid, nontechnical analysis of state and local finance. It gives concise descriptions of the taxes, grants, debt issues, and user charges that finance state and local government and discusses their relative virtues and drawbacks. It traces the history of state and local finance and presents statistical data on expenditures, federal aid, revenue from taxes and user charges, debt, and pension funds. The new edition, in recognition of changes since the mid-1970s, also includes a separate chapter on financing education and broadened analyses of federal grant programs, employee retirement systems, and nonguaranteed municipal debt.

Policymakers and program managers are continually seeking ways to improve accountability in achieving an entity's mission. A key factor in improving accountability in achieving an entity's mission is to implement an effective internal control system. An effective internal control system helps an entity adapt to shifting environments, evolving demands, changing risks, and new priorities. As programs change and entities strive to improve operational processes and implement new technology, management continually evaluates its internal control system so that it is effective and updated when necessary. Section 3512 (c) and (d) of Title 31 of the United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Managers? Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA)) requires the Comptroller General to issue standards for internal control in the federal government.