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BARS Coding Basics 2026: Wenatchee

Wednesday, June 10, 2026
9 AM - 4:30 PM
Location: Confluence Technology Center
(285 Technology Center Way #102, Wenatchee, WA, 98801)
Capacity: 40
Cost: $200 (Scholarships Available - See below) 
Credits: CPE
 

REGISTER

Registration closes on Friday, May 29 at 5 PM. Limited to two staff per agency. Lunch will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact ‘Ula Kamaka (UKamaka@mrsc.org). 

Note that we are also offering another BARS Coding Basics session on May 27 in Sequim, WA. 

Training Overview

If you're new to local government finance or accounting in Washington State, the BARS (Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting System) can seem complex and intimidating. That’s why MRSC developed this hands-on, interactive training on the basics of BARS coding, designed specifically for beginners. Through a combination of one-on-one guidance, group activities, and practical exercises, participants will learn how BARS codes are structured and how to confidently identify and apply the correct codes in real-world scenarios. 

Educational Objectives

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

  • Understand the different types of funds used in local government
  • Navigate the structure of funds, revenues, and expenditures
  • Identify and classify various revenue and expenditure types
  • Apply object codes appropriately
  • Use tips and tools to efficiently search the BARS Manual

Who Should Attend?

This introductory course is intended for individuals who are new to BARS coding and local government finance in Washington State. 

Presenters

  • Eric Lowell, Finance Consultant, MRSC. Eric Lowell joined MRSC in December 2020 as a Finance Consultant after working in local finance for over 14 years. He has worked for a local city and a special purpose district in Washington. Eric has experience as an accounts payable clerk, payroll clerk, finance analyst, finance supervisor, and a finance director. At MRSC, Eric provides guidance to local government on various financial issues.
  • Cheryl Grant, Finance Consultant, MRSC. Cheryl joined MRSC in August 2023 as a finance consultant. Cheryl has many years of experience working in local government finance, particularly with small cities. Prior to coming to MRSC, Cheryl spent 13 years as the finance director for the City of Chelan, as well as consulting on a variety of finance-related topics for small cities.

Credits

This training is eligible for:

Training Scholarships

Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP)

The Washington Counties Risk Pool (WCRP) is supporting member county attendance to the upcoming training by paying for up to five (5) registrations, limit one (1) per member. This offer covers the cost of registration only and travel/meal costs associated with this training will be the county's responsibility. Those wishing to take advantage of this offer are asked to contact your county risk manager who will provide you with a free discount code to be used during registration. To learn if you are a WCRP member or if you have questions about WCRP scholarship opportunities, please contact MemberServices@wcrp.wa.gov.

Washington Counties Risk Group (WCRG)

The Washington Counties Risk Group (WCRG) will provide limited scholarships for this training. Those wishing to take advantage of this offer are asked to respectfully contact your WCRG risk manager, Mark Sherwood at msherwood@chooseclear.com to request the registration code before you register.

Cities Insurance Association of Washington (CIAW)

The Cities Insurance Association of Washington (CIAW) will provide limited scholarships for this training. Those wishing to take advantage of this offer are asked to respectfully contact your CIAW risk manager, Mark Sherwood at msherwood@chooseclear.com to request the registration code before you register.

Click on each of the links above to learn more or read about other scholarship opportunities.

Payment Policy: Payment for this training is completed online by card. If you need to be billed to pay offline, there will be a $5.00 administrative fee added to the total cost of registration. Please contact Ula Kamaka (UKamaka@mrsc.org) if you would like to request an invoice for this training.

Refund Policy: Refunds will be provided minus a 5% administrative fee until the registration deadline on Friday, May 29 at 5 PM. No refunds for cancelations or no-shows after the registration deadline. Please contact Ula Kamaka (UKamaka@mrsc.org) if you need to request a refund.