Financial Management
Courses
 Communication
Courses
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 Project Management
Courses
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All courses currently Live- Virtual
Courses are offered at Hilton Garden Inn, Bethesda, MD

Contact us to bring any of these courses to your site.

Additional courses are exclusively available at your site or Self-Study.
Financial Management Courses
Appropriation Law Refresher & Update
1 day
$ 455
For those who have not attended the Federal Appropriations Law course in the last few years.  
Appropriation Law changes because of new laws and additional GAO decisions.  We will inform you
of those updates.

Coverage includes:
  • Brief review of necessary expenses and bona-fide needs rules
  • Food at conferences and special events
  • Travel updates
  • Self insurance rule
  • Interagency payments
  • Accountable officers
Audience:     This course is for all financial management personnel, program managers, and
administrative officers. Consider this course every 3-5 years.
Basic Federal Accounting
2 days
$ 775
Learn the concepts and principles of  Federal accounting. Analyze and record transactions and
make adjusting entries in journals and ledgers. Prepare financial statements. When you complete
this course you will be able to do your job better and understand professional accountants'
discussions.

Through lectures, discussions and case studies, learn:
  • Generally accepted accounting principles and how to apply them in practical situations.
  • The difference between the cash and accrual methods of accounting.
  • Fund and general accounting and the relationship between them.
  • Double entry bookkeeping
  • Trial balances.
  • Financial report preparation
Audience:     Accounting clerks and technicians, systems analysts, programmers, management and
budget analysts and others who want to improve their job performance and promotion prospects by
learning about Federal accounting and its relationship to program accomplishments.
Basic Standard General Ledger
2 days                                                                                                                            
$ 575
This course will cover the important aspects of the Standard General Ledger (SGL). Current law
requires that all accounting events be recorded at the transaction level.

You will learn:
  • Statutory requirements associated with Standard General Ledger.
  • Coverage of the chart of accounts, associated definitions and allowable crosswalks.
  • To apply the standard general ledger accounts into the accounting cycle.
  • Practice applying the standard general ledger accounts.
Audience:     Accountants, automated system designers and Financial Managers.
Budget & Accounting Introduction
2 days
$ 625
Most staffs perform important financial tasks. This course provides knowledge of the financial
management function and the ability to do a better job while enhancing job satisfaction and career
prospects.  This is an intro to accounting and intro to budget course. Practical case exercises relate
to your duties as a budget or accounting technician or clerical staff member.

Learn:
  • What the budget and accounting process is all about.
  • How budget and accounting functions interrelate.
  • What budget and accounting terms mean.
  • How ledgers are maintained and how to interpret the information.
  • How to prepare professional reports for your supervisor and understand what they mean.
Audience:      Financial management staff, program and administrative staff.
Budget Estimating & Analysis
2  days
$ 635
You are a program specialist or an administrative officer. Does the thought of developing a budget
for your office give you a migraine?  Budgeting will be easier if you know some basic budgeting
considerations and techniques.  This course teaches the "nuts and bolts" of estimating staff, travel,
contract and other costs.

Government-related case exercises show you how to:
  • Calculate estimates for two different kinds of organizations’ budgets.
  • Decipher budget jargon
  • Demonstrate ways to budget time effectively by using various tips and techniques for
    estimating costs and expenses with equally valid results.
  • Practice scenarios to analyze budgets and practice decision making
Audience:     Budget, program and administrative staffs with budget responsibilities.
Budget Execution
2 days
$ 805
Your Agency receives funds from Congress. Now you must prepare financial plans and submit an
apportionment request to OMB. You will monitor the plan and make adjustments as necessary over
the year.

Through 16 case studies, you will learn to:
  • Describe the sequence of events in the budget execution (appropriations, apportionments,
    allotments, commitments, obligations, costs, and outlays).
  • Heed the Anti-Deficiency Act
  • Follow the OMB Circular A-11 budget execution requirements
  • Deal with deferrals and recissions
  • Write a budget execution plan
  • Prepare an apportionment request to OMB on a Standard Form 132.  Complete a Standard
    Form 133 on budget execution
  • Reprogram funds and handle budget shortfalls while fulfilling program objectives.
Audience:     Employees in budget or finance careers: budget analysts and technicians,
management trainees and financial management technicians.  We recommend taking Budget
Formulation first.
Budget Formulation
2 days
$ 805
Assemble your Agency's annual OMB budget submission for the hypothetical Resource
Conservation Agency. Learn the correct budget terminology - a feature participants consistently
praise.

You will learn how to:
  • Develop an agency budget submission.
  • Calculate the numbers you need, from raw data, for a budget submission.
  • Complete exercises based on the Government Performance & Results Act (GPRA) and MAX
    systems requirements.
  • Rework budget schedules to keep current with Presidential directives and changing agency
    requirements.
Audience:     Employees seeking budget or financial careers and experienced budget personnel who
want to expand their knowledge.
Budget Justification
2 days
$ 735
Federal allocation of scarce resources is dependent upon clear, strong, programmatic narratives.  
This seminar introduces participants to principles of effective budget justification and presentation.   
The focus is on analysis of budget submissions and preparation of  the narrative description.  
Participants will prepare justifications based on the description of programs and budget requests.

Through lecture, discussion and workshops, participants will cover:
  • Budget Presentation and Justification
  • Purpose, Structure and Elements of  Budget Justification
  • Techniques for Supporting Budget Estimates
  • Program Plans and Financing Needs
  • Justification of Program and Performance
  • Base Program Description
  • Program Increase Justifications
  • Presentation of  Quantitative Data
  • Techniques of Clear Writing
Audience:     Staff or management who justify the budget at any level. Administrative staff contributing
to budget planning.
Certifying Officers
1 day
$ 395
Treasury disburses funds based on your certification.  Certifying officers are personally liable and
accountable for payments they authorize.  Learn how to do the job properly, protect your Agency's
funds and avoid liability.  After taking this course, you will understand your duties and
responsibilities, be aware of pertinent regulations and procedures and understand your
requirements under manual automated systems.
You will learn the:
  • Basic responsibilities of certifying officers.
  • Right to obtain Comptroller General advice on payments' legality.
  • Certification under manual and automated systems.
  • The difference between certifications on Treasury schedules and how they affect your
    responsibilities and liability.
  • How to avoid liability and seek relief from illegal, improper or incorrect payments.
Audience:     Certifying officers and accounting, budgeting, ADP and auditing staffs who are involved
in or who need to relate to payment process.
Internal Controls & Accountability
2 days
$ 660
Accountability is the name of the game. Come and learn about the Federal emphasis in internal
controls and the regulatory requirements. You will leave with a tool kit for future evaluations.

In an enjoyable format, we will discuss:
  • Terminology, concepts, and requirements related to internal controls in the Federal
    environment
  • Understand and apply a structured approach to evaluate internal controls for ongoing
    analysis
  • Identify the rules and responsibilities of the participants in the internal control process
  • Apply the Toolkit for evaluation of the internal controls.

Course topics include:
  • Why internal controls and accountability?
  • Roles and responsibilities of participants
  • Learn the 5 step process with tools we provide
  • Concluding, reporting, and correcting
  • Lessons learned
Audience:     All federal staff.
Federal Appropriation Law
2 days
$ 875
Ignorance of the Law is no excuse. And our Government runs by laws, regulations and Comptroller
General (CG) decisions. As a Federal employee, you need to know how appropriations,
regulations, administrative discretion and CG decisions affect your daily duties and activities. This
is an essential course for effective Agency management. Learn why certain kinds of seemingly
normal expenditures may be questionable. This course will help you identify situations warranting
attention and provide a basis for dealing with them appropriately.

Using case studies, participants will learn:
  • Appropriations: legal framework, availability and use.
  • Acquisition:  goods and services provisions.
  • Availability:  purpose, time, amount.
  • The Necessary Expense Doctrine, Augmentation Concept and the Bona Fide Need Rule.
  • Continuing resolutions, obligations, and reprogramming rules.
Audience:     All federal personnel benefit from knowing legal/illegal practices.
Reimbursable Operations
2 days
$ 685
Many federal operations include partially or fully reimbursable operations. This class includes
coverage of the laws and regulations associated with direct fund reimbursables, working capital,
and revolving fund operations. Additionally, we will address typical scenarios and the related
general ledger accounts.

You will learn how to:
  • Interpret and apply legal restrictions for reimbursable activities
  • Distinguish law from regulation
  • Budget and account for reimbursable activity
  • Practice typical transactions for partially and wholly reimbursable activities
  • Learn how to treat revenue and related expenses
  • Use federal appropriations only for the purpose intended
Audience:    Any agency or federal employee who might be involved with federal funds that are
partially or fully reimbursable.
SF 133 Report on Budget Execution -
1 day or Day 1 of 2 -- when taken with Statement of Budgetary Resources
$ 445 or $ 685 together with Statement of Budgetary Resources
This course is designed to help individuals who prepare or want to understand the components
of the SF 133 and how the document is used. The SF-133: Report on Budget Execution is a
quarterly report that contains information on the sources of budget authority and the status of
budgetary resources by individual fund or appropriation.

Using OMB Circular A-11, you will learn:
  • Tthe theory behind the SF 133
  • The anatomy of the report
  • How to apply OMB Circular A-11 guidance
  • Line-by-line guidance on the SF 133 preparation
  • Tracking and reporting current year direct and reimbursable budget authority
Audience:     Accountants and budget analysts working at the operational and transactional level
including preparers and reviewers; auditors of year-end reports, financial statements, and
budget reports; and budget analysts responsible for the formulation and execution of agency
budget reports.
Statement of Budgetary Resources
1 day or Day 2 of 2-- when taken with SF 133 Report on Budget Execution
$ 445 or $ 685 together with SF 133: Report on Budget Execution
Coverage includes the background and rationale behind these financial statements.  Time is
spent on theory and practical exercises.

Specifically, we will cover:
  • Structure of the statements
  • Drill down of the sections of each statement
  • Related SGL transactions and accounts
  • Prepare these statements using practical exercises
Audience:     Accountants, financial report reviewers, and auditors.
Professional Writing (in Plain Language)
2 days
$ 585
Clear writing is clear thinking made visible.  Good writing expresses your thoughts and appeals to
your audience. In this enjoyable workshop you will learn a sure-fire method for approaching any
writing task and getting your point across. This course will help you sharpen the skills you need to
write clearly and concisely.
This course enables you to:
  • Approach any writing task with confidence, whether it's email or a report
  • Organize your ideas for effective and meaningful presentation
  • Write clear, informative and well organized material
  • Revise, rewrite and edit to ensure clarity and conciseness
Audience:     All agency personnel at any level who use written communication to get the job done.
 
Project Management Courses
Project Management Overview
2 days
$ 735
Course topics include:
  • Acting with authority
  • Influencing others by establishing rapport
  • Building trust and professional relationships
  • Planning & organizing projects and related resources
  • Building and leading a team
  • Solving problems and making decisions
  • Implementing changes successfully
You will be able to:
  • Handle responsibility even when you don't have authority
  • Improve communication with colleagues and subordinates
  • Manage daily project challenges
  • Plan effectively
  • Apply problem solving and decision making skills
  • Determine whether you work in a flexible organization
  • Deal with effecting change
Audience:     Anyone who works on projects or anyone who needs to get work done through others.
Course Descriptions
Course Descriptions
The Federal Training Center
The Federal Budget Process
1 day
$ 445
This course is about the history, players, and procedures of the Federal Budget Process and  
impact of Government fiscal policies on the economy. The entire budget process is laid out in
detail. The course covers the role of Congressional committees, Congressional Budget Office,
Office of Management and Budget, Council of Economic Advisors, Comptroller General,
Inspectors General and your agency in budget formulation, budget execution and management
oversight.

You will learn:
  • How the various budget phases fit together to develop a comprehensive budget
  • Roles and impacts of Government organizations and public interest groups/lobbyists
  • The Federal budget's effect on the economy's health
  • Budget/accounting terms and their relationship to your agency's functions and activities
  • Discussion about common misunderstandings and problem areas
  • Benefits
  • Responsibilities
  • Contents of the Guidance
Audience:     Everyone who needs to know where they fit into the budget process and how
Government and public interest/ lobbying groups affect their programs.  It is the ideal course for
interns, professionals, managers and technical staffs who need  a quick and comprehensive
orientation to their jobs and the internal and external political forces that affect their work.
Proper and Prompt Payments
2 days
$ 625
Federal agencies need to ensure accurate and legal payment. Learn what to look for when
examining vouchers and how the Prompt Payment Act discounts and penalties affect your duties
and brief history of the Prompt Pay Act and Treasury guidance. This is a very practical course
available to answer all disbursing questions.

Specifically, the course covers:
  • The Prompt Payment Act and Treasury Guidance.
  • Defines a proper invoice.
  • Discusses Accelerated payments.
  • Payment of Purchase Card invoices.
  • Practices with interest Calculations rebates and discounts.
  • Address the relationship to the Debt Collection Improvement Act.
  • Define receipt and acceptance of goods/services.
  • Purchase orders, contracts and grants.
  • Intergovernmental purchases.
Audience:     The course is designed to inform those involved in any stage of disbursing activities.
Communication Courses
Communicating at Work
2 days
$ 585
Strong communication skills, both written and oral, are keys to career advancement. This fun and
lively two day course will cover communication concepts that will help you get what you need at
work. Whether you are communicating face-to-face or in writing through e-mails or memos, this
course offers a way to quickly learn how to navigate a variety of challenging communication
situations at work.
Audience:     Employees who want to jump start careers with powerful communication tools.
Intro to Federal Financial Management
2 days
$ 665
After completing this course, participants will understand:
  • The Federal budget process
  • Federal Accounting Principles and Standards
  • Performance Measurements
  • Financial Systems and Controls
  • Other financial management and functions
Audience:    This seminar is designed for those engaged in accounting, audit or advisory services
for Federal agencies. Some knowledge of Federal agency financial management would be useful,
but is not required.
Speaking with Confidence
2 days
$ 590
Learn to speak in a fun and non-confrontational setting. Your success often demands
extraordinary speaking skills but fear or limited confidence might diminish your ability to
communicate. This course develops self-confidence and effective skills for speaking in public, at
routine meetings or to small groups. Learn the basic steps for preparation, and presentation.
You will learn:
  • Open with attention grabbers
  • Quickly organize thoughts for presentation
  • Develop your topic
  • Use audio visuals and handouts properly
  • Handle tough audience members
  • Use humor
  • Overcome fear of speaking
  • Close with energy
Audience:     Anyone from confident to unsure, who needs to communicate to an audience.
OMB Federal Grant “Super” Circular and the DATA Act
1 day
$485
This guidance is recently combined to create central guidance at OMB. This Uniform Guidance
covers critical grant oversight issues such as Cost Principles, Audit and Administrative Guidance
for Federal Awards. This seminar is an interactive discussion of the updated guidance and
intended to cover areas of confusion and misunderstanding.

This seminar will address:
  • Background on the Single Audit Act - What does that mean and why is it in place?
  • Origins of the Guidance
  • Introduction to the "Super" Circular
  • Timeline
  • Role of CFO offices and C-Suite
  • Purpose
  • Objectives
  • Discussion about common misunderstandings and problem areas
  • Benefits
  • Responsibilities
  • Contents of the Guidance and Key Points
  • Discuss the SubParts to the Circular and the related Requirements
  • Reforms to Administrative Requirements
  • Unique Acronyms
  • Changes to Audit Guidance
  • Updates to Cost Principles
Audience:     
Audit Evidence & Documentation
2 days
$ 650
Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), require performance audit findings and
recommendationssupported and properly documented by sufficient, appropriate evidence. Learn
about  types of evidence,  tests that evidence must meet.  Also discuss various methods to
collect.and document each type of evidence. .
Audience:     Auditors, Accountants, Budget Execution analysts
Internal Controls Overview & Update
1 day
$485
Description This course is an overview of the Federal Internal Control requirements,. We will
explain the framework, guidance and offer practical implementation  insights. We will cover internal
control standards and their role  in risk management.t.  Understand the major players and
requirements for effective decision making. To be compliant with the Integrity Act, agency
headsmust  annually assess and report on the status of internal controls
Audience:     Staff and managers involved in the internal control process; Auditors