A practical guide to demystifying financial statements and driving decisions.

Delivering effective public works outcomes requires more than technical expertise. Local government professionals must be able to translate infrastructure and service decisions into clear advice on cost, risk, and levels of service, and communicate those trade-offs confidently to executives, councillors, and communities.

This one-day course provides a practical, plain-English introduction to local government finance, designed specifically for public works, asset management, and project delivery professionals. Rather than focusing on finance theory, the course is grounded in real council decision cycles, planning, budgeting, delivery, reporting, and review, and shows how infrastructure and project decisions flow through these processes.

Using real council budgets, financial statements, and reporting examples, participants build confidence to interpret financial information, ask better questions, and engage more effectively with finance teams and decision-makers. The course strengthens participants’ ability to link technical decisions to financial outcomes, governance obligations, and long-term sustainability.

What this course covers:

• Foundations of Local Government Finance

• Reading and Interpreting Financial Statements

• Budgeting and Financial Management for Public Works

• The role of the NSW Office of Local Government in financial oversight and sector-wide consistency

• Financial Performance, Controls and Accountability

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Interpret key local government financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports

• Understand how capital works, asset management decisions, and service levels affect council financial performance and sustainability

• Translate infrastructure and project choices into clear advice on cost, risk, and service impacts

• Use core financial ratios and indicators to support project, asset, and investment decisions

• Navigate local government financial frameworks, delegations, and internal controls with confidence

• Communicate financial implications clearly to executives, councillors, and other stakeholders

Who should attend
This course is ideal for:

• Local government engineers and asset managers responsible for infrastructure and capital works

• Project managers and coordinators overseeing budgets, forecasts, and delivery risks

• Senior managers and executives with financial delegations or strategic oversight responsibilities

• Public works professionals seeking greater confidence in financial decision-making and governance

No prior finance or accounting background is required.

What this course covers:

• Foundations of Local Government Finance

• Reading and Interpreting Financial Statements

• Budgeting and Financial Management for Public Works

• The role of the NSW Office of Local Government in financial oversight and sector-wide consistency

• Financial Performance, Controls and Accountability

Facilitator - David Hurrell

David Hurrell   MAcc, BA (Economics), CPA, MCIPS.   David is a faculty member of AcademyGlobal (a partner of IPWEA NSW & ACT) and Associate Director of Procurement at Infrastructure NSW. He has extensive experience across government and industry including Defence, Chevron, and multiple state and international agencies.   He brings practical, collaborative, and strategic expertise in finance, procurement, contracts and project management. Known for his logical problem-solving and collaborative approach. He delivers practical, adaptable solutions while championing continuous improvement and professional development.