Budget Execution

Federal employees responsible for the administrative distribution of funds for their organization must understand the laws and procedures that guide the process. Implementing the policies outlined in Office of Managment and Budget (OMB) Circular A-11 and other relevant execution references ensures you will establish and maintain fiscal control. You will learn techniques to develop, analyze, and manage program financial plans.

Learning Objectives

• Identify congressional legislation affecting an agency’s operating and spending plans
• Identify key financial management legislation affecting budget execution
• Outline the major execution steps
• Discuss budget execution in terms of legal availability of funds with respect to purpose, time, and amount
• Identify potential Antideficiency Act (ADA) violations
• List accounting and financial reporting requirements, processes, and sources of guidance
• Track and control a financial, operating, or spending plan
• Identify practical tools and techniques for modifying a financial, operating, or spending plan
• Analyze actual versus planned figures to evaluate year-to-date performance
• Discuss how the strategic planning process drives budget execution

Course Topics

Review of the Federal Budget Process

• Building Background
• The Budget Timeline
• Trends in Spending
• Key Players in the Federal Budget Process
• Key Budget Legislation
• Updated Federal Performance Management
• Program Performance Assessment
• The Federal Budget Process
• Appropriations

Funds Control and Appropriations Law

• Building Background
• Sources of Agency Funding
• Internal Control
• Funds Control
• Federal Budget Account Structure
• Apportionment
• Appropriations Law

Federal Accounting and Reporting

• Building Background
• Federal Accounting
• Financial Reporting

Preparing, Monitoring, Tracking, and Modifying Operating Plans

• Building Background
• Operating Plans
• Monitoring/Tracking an Operating Plan
• Modifying an Operating Plan

Executing the Budget

• Building Background
• Commitments and Obligations
• Common Obligation Concepts
• Contracts for an Indefinite Quantity
• Types of Services Being Purchased
• Unliquidated Obligation
• Life Cycle of an Appropriation
• Revolving Funds (RFs) and Reimbursables
• Deobligation
• Other Resources
• Reporting of Resources