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SEC/371

Finance and Budgeting Practices

3 credits

Total credits

5 weeks

Course length

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Take this course on its own, or as part of a degree or certificate program.

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Please Note: Attendance and participation are mandatory in all University courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.

University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

Course level: Upper Division

This course provides the student with an understanding of the various elements of a program budget and the process of budget development, justification, and presentation. Special emphasis is given to these procedures, practices, and liabilities in relation to security-oriented environments.

Please Note: Attendance and participation are mandatory in all University courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.

University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

What you'll learn

Course skills and outcomes

  • Discuss the purpose and functions of budgeting.
  • Identify the types of budgets and the application to security management.
  • Identify the items incorporated into an operating budget.
  • Describe the variety of methods for tracking expenditures, as well as the issues and problems with monitoring expenses.
  • Examine security metrics and performance goals and objectives.
  • Explore program evaluation procedures and testing methods for security management.
  • Discuss the concept of Return on Investment as applied to security management, and evaluate the correlation between effective security and corporate budget.

  • Analyze the preparation of a budget for security facility management, responsible duties, and key participants.
  • Identify and describe budget line items for security facility management.
  • Evaluate cost-benefit factors associated with accepting and transferring risk in relation to security threats.
  • Evaluate the concept of risk management and the financial pros and cons associated with a security assessment.
  • Examine the benefits of security to include shrinkage control, restitution recovery, fraud management, and deterrence.
  • Identify facility maintenance factors, budget risks associated with hazards, and the duties and responsibilities of security management to prevent or mitigate accidents.
  • Discuss cost and benefit factors associated with fire protection, inclement weather training and safety systems/procedures.

  • Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of contracting security services rather than establishing a proprietary security unit.
  • Discuss the limits of operational control of contracted versus proprietary employees of an organization.
  • Describe liability issues as they relate to contracted and proprietary employees.
  • Identify regulatory compliance issues associated with contracted personnel.
  • Determine the important elements of a contract for security services.
  • Evaluate the responsibilities of the contractor and those providing contracted services.
  • Evaluate training costs associated with contract and proprietary security.

  • Assess the Fair Labor Standards Act and its application to security personnel.
  • Identify the Fair Labor Standards Act exempt and non-exempt employee compensation and overtime regulations.
  • Describe the methods for determining compensation benefits and wage levels for security personnel.
  • Detail the cost factors of employment benefits.
  • Assess internal conflicts, ethical dilemmas and associated liabilities in relation to human resources and security management departments.
  • Compare and contrast the value of electronic technology in relationship to the use of human resources for access control, surveillance, and identification of authorized personnel.

  • Describe the principles of cost versus benefit analyses and their application within the context of security management.
  • Discuss security negligence, evaluate legal liabilities associated with improper or inadequate security measures, and review criminal and civil cases involving security culpability.
  • Evaluate program fiscal requirements in the context of organizational budgetary priorities and parameters.
  • Identify the principles of expenditure justification for security operations.
  • Discuss the principles of internal control and auditing.
  • Explain the dynamics and criteria involved in presenting a budget.

Why UOPX

Why take courses at University of Phoenix

Accreditation that matters

We’ve been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org) for more than 40 years.

Real-world instructors

Learn from instructors who bring an average of 25 years of working experience to the classroom.

Affordable and potentially reimbursable

Our tuition and fees are competitive and fixed. Also, check to see if your employer will cover you for this course.

Next Steps

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Credit Transfer

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Before you enroll in a course, check with your school of choice to make sure they will accept our transfer credits and to understand any requirements or limitations. Then you can complete your course, and request your official transcript be sent to your school. That’s it!

How to request your transcripts

Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. If you have a question contact us at (866) 354-1800.

The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses. Although our continuing teacher education courses are accepted by some state agencies in the United States toward teacher certifications and endorsements, this may not be the case in all states or foreign jurisdictions. If you plan to use courses for certification or endorsement, please check with your own state agency and your school district for applicability. Continuing teacher education courses are not eligible to apply to degree programs at University of Phoenix. These courses are not eligible for federal financial aid. Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative. If you have a question contact us at (866) 354-1800.