Spears School of Business

Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business will host several tribal education programs in 2020-2021, including the Intermediate Tribal Finance and Accounting Certificate program this fall and the Online Introductory Tribal Finance and Accounting Certificate program next spring. These programs are designed to help employees in tribal financial positions gain the knowledge and experience to become a more effective tribal finance/accounting professional and leader.

 

“We are excited to bring these programs online to those involved in tribal finance and accounting,” said Dr. Audrey Gramling, School of Accounting head and Wilton T. Anderson Endowed Chair. “In such a niche field, it can be difficult to find learning opportunities like this and we are proud to have OSU instructors and industry experts work together to provide this unique program.”

 

OSU Intermediate Tribal Finance and Accounting Certificate Program is a four-week virtual program from Oct. 22-Nov. 19. This program is designed for mid-level employees in tribal financial positions and participants can earn up to 28 hours of CPE credit. Topics include fraud prevention, financial statement and interpreting data, presenting financial data, and internal controls--managing and budgeting of tax revenues. The registration fee is $1,500. Presenters in the program include experts who deal with finance and accounting in the tribes and are from Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, Moss Adams, REDW and Spears Business.

 

OSU Introductory Tribal Finance and Accounting Certificate Program is an eight-week virtual program from Jan. 11-March 5. This program is geared toward entry-level employees and professionals who wish to gain knowledge regarding tribal finance and accounting. Topics include IRS tribal government tax guide, best administrative grant practices and compliance from tribes, internal controls and compliance, fraud protection, and closing out grants. The registration fee is $2,000. There will be over 25 hours of CPE credit offered (pending approval from NASBA).  Presenters in the program include experts who deal with finance and accounting in the tribes and are from Baker & Tilley, BKD, Finley & Cook, REDW, and the law firms Dorsey & Whitney LLP and Sheppard Mullin and faculty from Spears Business.

 

The OSU Introductory Tribal Finance and Accounting Program has also been noted as a winner of the 2019 University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) Central Region Outstanding Noncredit Program Award, the 2020 UPCEA National Outstanding Noncredit Program Award, and the 2019 Conference on Management and Executive Development (CMED) Peer Choice Best Custom Program Award.

 

“The Oklahoma Tribal Finance Consortium had contacted OSU Spears School of Business to help develop programs which would assist the tribal nations in Oklahoma and beyond,” said Elijah McIntosh, chair of the Oklahoma Tribal Finance Consortium and member of Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

“Our first offering of the program for the Introductory Finance and Accounting Program was in November 2018 in Stillwater. We are now proud to be a partner with the new intermediate program in October 2020 and the third offering of the introductory program in spring 2021 which has been converted online due to COVID-19 challenges. The support of a national entity, NAFOA, is appreciated as well.”

 

The Tribal Finance and Accounting Certificate programs are endorsed by the Oklahoma Tribal Finance Consortium, an organization designed to facilitate and promote the collaboration and networking of tribes across the state of Oklahoma. The Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) Orange Book is also provided as a benefit for each attending participant in either program.

 

For more information about these programs or to register, visit the website or contact the Center for Executive and Professional Development at 405-744-5208 or cepd@okstate.edu.