Financial Management for Rural Transit Managers

Federal Requirements:

• USDOT-FTA Uniform System of Accounts
• 2 CFR Part 2--Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (“Super Circular” of the Office of Management and Budget)
• FTA Circular 5010.1E, Award Management Requirements (2018) (general requirements for all FTA grants)

Guidance Resources:

• USDOT Benefit-Cost Analysis Spreadsheet Template for Discretionary Grant Programs
• National RTAP Funding Topic Guide 
• Fundamental Financial Management for Rural Transit Providers (manual released by National RTAP)
• National RTAP Service Contracting and Cost Allocation Webinar (October 14, 2021)
• Webinar recording
• Presentation slides
• Cost allocation calculator
• FTA Calculating, Documenting, and Charging Operating Expenses webinars
• CCAM Federal Fund Braiding Guide (2020)

Revenue Ideas:

• TCRP Synthesis 160 - Fare Capping: Balancing Revenue and Equity Impacts
• National RTAP's "Advertising Best Practices: Bus Wraps and In-Kind Advertising" Spotlight Article (2017)

Updated 4/25/2025