A few weeks ago, you met with Shelly to present your analysis of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the State of Florida. Since your meeting, Shelly has decided to look closer at the City of Orlando. Because Shelly is leaving a state that has had some budget concerns in the past, she has decided to look at the City of Orlando's budget. Shelly contacted you for your services again. She provided you with the Web link for the City of Orlando's latest budget, and she would like you to analyze the information and explain the results to her. A meeting has been set for the following week. After a meeting with Shelly, you want to provide her with a written document explaining the budget results.

Examine the Budget

Obtain a copy of the City of Orlando government's annual operating budget document from its Web site. This Web page provides a copy of this budget.

Familiarize yourself with the organization of the operating budget document; read the letter of transmittal or any narrative that accompanies the budget.

Prepare a 5-page document showing your analysis of the budget. Start by answering the following questions to aid in assessing the quality of the budget document that you are reviewing.

Provide the page numbers where the information is found in the budget.

Answer the following questions:

• Does the operating budget include a table of contents to help you locate information in the document?
• Does the budget document include a coherent statement of organization-wide goals and strategies that address long-term issues?
• Does the document address short-term factors that influence the development of the budget?
• Does it include a budget message that articulates priorities and issues for the upcoming year?
• Does the budget document provide an overview of significant budgetary items and trends within the budget document that support ethical and legal accounting practices?