Basics of County Investments Course

March 8 - 11, 2022

(In-Person Only)

Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos
1001 E McCarty Lane
San Marcos, TX 78666

For more information contact Deanna Auert or Nino Miranda at (800) 456-5974.

Educational Co-Sponsor: McCoy College of Business Administration at Texas State University.

In today's economy, the sound management of county financial assets can mean the difference between an embarrassing financial disaster and investment returns that supplement precious tax dollars. The prudent, professional management of public funds requires specialized knowledge and expertise. Investment laws, the state of the economy and other factors must be taken into consideration when developing a county’s financial strategy. Proper and frequent training for public funds investors can prevent costly errors.

The Basics of County Investments Course offers 14.75 hours of classroom instruction — appropriate for all levels — to those interested in the essentials of investing public funds. An additional 7.75 hours of in-depth, hands-on learning is offered for those actively investing funds. At the completion of the course, a final assessment will be given.

Why is TAC investment training valuable?

The Basics of County Investments Course meets the education requirements of the Texas Public Funds Investment Act and includes discussion of the basic laws and regulations governing investment operations. Presentations will cover products and services in the public funds markets and updates on the latest laws and strategies. Course topics include putting together an investment policy, understanding allowable investment options, managing various types of risk and computing investment yields.

This introductory course will prove to be especially helpful to commissioners court members and anyone directly involved in managing portfolios. Attendees will learn to make sense of financial jargon and concepts that may be unfamiliar. They will also learn how to avoid mistakes that could jeopardize a county's financial standing.

Course graduates will be in a better position to ensure the safety of principal, portfolio liquidity and appropriate returns — all key areas of concern for county investments.

County Investment Academy membership

This training course is required for membership in the TAC County Investment Academy. The academy provides investment education through a variety of conferences. Through the training, attendees have access to accurate, in-depth information, as well as a network of experienced county investors from across the state.

In 2013, the McCoy College of Business Administration at Texas State University became a cooperative partner with the County Investment Academy, which produces the basics course. Through the partnership, McCoy faculty sit on the County Investment Academy Education Advisory Committee, help plan academy trainings, review course content and teach the courses. Academy membership is acquired through the completion of the Basics of County Investments Course.

Each year, the academy offers two education events at which members may earn credits toward the 15 hours required annually to maintain academy member standing. Members are recognized with special awards on the five-, 10-, 15- and 20-year anniversaries of completing the basics course.

Who should attend?

Any county official or county staff member may attend the County Investment Academy courses. Anyone who oversees public investments, such as auditors, commissioners court members, county investment officers and treasurers, are especially encouraged to participate. TAC recommends that all counties, especially those with considerable assets, have at least one person on staff who has completed the basics course.

History of TAC's county investment training

TAC has offered training to public funds investors for more than 20 years. The program was born when the need to keep public funds investors up to date and knowledgeable about investment strategies was realized. In 1992, TAC’s first investment course was attended by 10 county investors. Since then, the education program has grown to include more advanced training and opportunities for continuing education.

County Investment Academy Education Advisory Committee

Hon. Charles Bradley, co-chair
Schleicher County Judge

Mr. Edward Dion, co-chair
El Paso County Auditor

Hon. Renee L. Couch
Comal County Treasurer

Hon. Alan Dierschke
Glasscock County Treasurer

Hon. Katherine Hudson
Wise County Treasurer

Hon. Sean Kennedy
Victoria County Treasurer

Hon. Michael Lord Jr.
Gaines County Treasurer

Mrs. Amy Perez
Harris County Director, Financial Management

Dr. William Chittenden, CTP, ex officio
Associate Professor of Finance, McCoy College of Business Administration, Texas State University

Registration fees

  Early Fee After Monday, Feb. 5th
Basics (14.75-hour course, ends Thursday at noon) $325 $345
Complete Course (22.5-hour course, ends Friday) $395 $415

Make checks payable to Texas Association of Counties

Payment

Checks payable to Texas Association of Counties

Mailed to:
Texas Association of Counties
C/O County Investment Academy
P.O. Box 2711
San Antonio, TX 78299

Special services

To ensure that our conference is ADA-accessible to all, please contact Deanna Auert or Nino Miranda at (800) 456-5974, if you need assistance.

Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center
1001 E. McCarty Ln.
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 392-6450

The Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center is the host hotel. Call (512) 392-6450 for hotel reservations. Ask for the “Texas Association of Counties” room block to receive the conference rate. Or click here to reserve your room online. Enter the code “CESTAC” to receive the group rate.

The conference rate is $120 single/$139 double, plus tax. Hotel reservations must be secured by Saturday, Feb. 5. After then, all rooms are subject to availability and a price increase.

Any reservation not cancelled 72 hours prior to arrival will be subject to a one-night-room-and-tax cancellation fee.

Parking
Self-parking: Free

Check-in: 4pm
Checkout: Noon

No activities scheduled at this time.

Tuesday, March 8
10 a.m.-4:25 p.m. Registration
10:30-10:45 a.m. Program History/County Investment Academy Standards – Section 1
10:45-11:05 a.m. Schematic of County Operations – Section 2
11:05-11:50 a.m. Fiduciary Relationships – Section 3
11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m. Lunch (provided)
12:50-1:50 p.m. Public Funds Investment Act – Section 4
1:50-2 p.m. Break
2-3 p.m. The Federal Reserve & the Economy – Section 5
3-3:10 p.m. Break
3:10-4:25 p.m. Depository Contracts & Valuing Collateral – Section 6
Wednesday, March 9
8-9 a.m. Cash Flow Forecasting – Section 7
9-9:10 a.m. Break
9:10-10:50 a.m. Investment Policies & Strategies – Section 8
10:50-11 a.m. Break
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Structure of Securities – Section 9
12:15-1:15 p.m. Lunch (provided)
1:15-2:30 p.m. Eligible Securities and Hierarchy of Issuers – Section 10
2:30-2:40 p.m. Break
2:40-3:55 p.m. Discussion of Risk – Section 11
3:55-4:05 p.m. Break
4:05-5:05 p.m. Investment Reporting – Section 12
Thursday, March 10
8-9:30 a.m. Security Selection – Section 13
9:30-9:40 a.m. Break
9:40-10:40 a.m. Evaluating Broker/Client Relationships – Section 14
10:40-10:50 a.m. Break
10:50-11:50 a.m. Review – Section 20
END of Part 1 – Basics Course
11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m. Lunch (provided)
START of Part 2 – Complete Course
12:50-3 p.m. Recordkeeping, Trade Verification, Settlement, Clearance & Safekeeping – Section 15
3-3:10 p.m. Break
3:10-4:10 p.m. Basic Investment Accounting – Section 16
4:10-4:40 p.m. Internal/Operational Controls – Section 17
Friday, March 11
8-10:15 a.m. Rate of Return Exercise – Section 18
10:15-10:30 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Math of Finance/Yield to Maturity – Section 19

*Agenda subject to change

Continuing Education Type Basics Course - Hours Complete Course - Hours
Commissioners 14 21.75
County and District Clerks 15:30 23:25
CPA/Auditors 14.75 22.5
PFIA 14.75 22.5
Tax Assessor-Collectors 14.75 22.5
Treasurers 14.75 22.5

All cancellation and refund requests must be received in writing (fax or email acceptable). Refunds requested before Monday, Feb. 7, are subject to a $10 processing fee. Refunds after Feb. 7 will be subject to an administrative fee equal to one-half of the registration fee. No refund requests will be honored after Friday, March 18. Please email Nino Miranda or fax (512) 477-1324 to cancel your conference registration.

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