The Texas Association of Counties (TAC) County Investment Academy provides educational programs that help county officials and staff learn how to best manage county financial assets.
The Academy is a cooperative partnership with the McCoy College of Business Administration at Texas State University. Educational programs are open to all county officials and staff. Membership is not required to attend any program offered by the Academy.
Academy Membership
Become a member by completing the Basics of County Investments Course, formerly the TAC County Investment Officer (CIO) Level 1 course, offered annually in February. See details below under Conferences and Training. Membership in the Academy is maintained by earning 15 credit hours per calendar year. Five outside hours and five carryover hours are allowed per year.
- Learn the laws and regulations that govern investment operations.
- Receive updates on the U.S. economy and timely trends in investing.
- Gain access to a network of experienced county investors, economists and other experts from across the state.
- Sessions meet the education requirements of the Texas Public Funds Investment Act.
- Continuing education hours are approved for County Investment Academy members.
- CPAs, auditors, treasurers, clerks and commissioners may also earn credit toward mandatory continuing education requirements.
- Academy members are recognized with awards on the 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year anniversaries of earning their membership.
Conferences and Training
Both the annual Conference of the County Investment Academy and the Texas Public Funds Investment Conference curriculum comply with the training requirements of the Public Funds Investment Act.
Visit our calendar for more information about a specific event and to register.
Basics of County Investments Course
Held annually in February/March. Successful completion of this course is required for admittance into the Academy.
The course meets the education requirements of the Texas Public Funds Investment Act and includes 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.
The essentials are explored in the first three days, with an optional additional seven-hour hands-on workshop for those wanting more in-depth knowledge. Academy membership, or completion of the Basics of County Investments course, is not required to attend other Academy trainings.
Conference of the County Investment Academy
Held annually in June. It provides 15 hours of County Investment Academy continuing education.
Investment officers, economists and other experts discuss the influences on the current economy and timely trends in investing and provide the most up-to-date information on the economy, monetary policy, ethics, municipal bonds and an in-depth understanding of local government pools. Breakouts offer both basic- and advanced-level sessions.
Texas Public Funds Investment Conference
Held annually in November. It provides 10 hours of County Investment Academy continuing education.
Experts from the financial industry and seasoned investment officers discuss the U.S. economy, letters of credit, municipal bonds and federally insured cash account. It features basic and advanced tracks with topics to meet county investing needs.
County Investment Academy Community
Membership in the County Investment Academy also gains you access to the County Investment Academy Community. The community is a discussion group that academy members use to efficiently get answers to questions, share insights and learn from the experiences of their peers. To sign up, please complete this form online.