# Detecting and Preventing Federal Grant Fraud Course

Canonical URL: <https://training.sdfm.org/courses/detecting-and-preventing-fraud-on-federal-grants-projects>

## Overview

This course builds a practical toolkit for preventing and detecting fraud in federal grants. Participants examine fraud risks, test internal controls, and practice detection techniques using case-based exercises that mirror real oversight situations.

By the end, participants will be able to conduct a fraud-focused risk assessment, design a prevention-oriented monitoring process with action items, evaluate internal controls for vulnerabilities, and analyze cases to determine how fraud could have been prevented or detected earlier.

Designed for program, grants, and audit/monitoring staff who need actionable approaches to reduce fraud risk across awards and subawards.

## What you'll learn

- Conduct fraud-focused risk assessments in the context of federal grants.
- Design monitoring processes that emphasize prevention and include actionable steps.
- Evaluate internal controls to identify gaps and vulnerabilities.
- Apply fraud detection techniques through case-based exercises.
- Analyze real-world scenarios to identify how fraud could have been prevented or detected.
- Build a practical toolkit for reducing fraud risk across awards and subawards.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Federal Financial Assistance—Fraud Risks and Context

- Recognize fraud risk factors across recipients and subrecipients.
- Separate waste/abuse from fraudulent acts and red flags.
- Frame oversight priorities using risk indicators.

#### Module 2: Importance of Internal Controls for Fraud Prevention

- Map controls to common fraud schemes and vulnerabilities.
- Strengthen segregation of duties and system safeguards.
- Link monitoring results to control improvements.

#### Module 3: Detecting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

- Identify transactional anomalies and documentation gaps.
- Use data, sampling, and site reviews to detect issues.
- Escalate concerns and coordinate with oversight bodies.

#### Module 4: Case Studies, Testing, and Action Plans

- Evaluate internal controls for vulnerabilities in scenarios.
- Draft prevention/detection action items with owners and timelines.
- Capture lessons learned to reduce future risk.

## Schedule
- Aug 12, 2026 – Aug 13, 2026 — Live Online
- Nov 16, 2026 – Nov 17, 2026 — Live Online

## Instructors

### Alan McCain — Curriculum Program Manager

Alan McCain is a retired combat veteran who served as both an Air Force enlisted member and a Navy officer. He brings over 30 years of experience spanning federal and commercial budgeting, auditing, programming, operations, global logistics support, supply chain and inventory management, as well as major IT acquisition.

 

He possesses extensive, hands-on budget and audit experience across Federal, State, and Local government operations, including work within the Executive Office of the President and the Departments of State, Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education, as well as the Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C., among others.

 

Alan’s consulting background includes strategic planning and business development with the District of Columbia government, multiple federal agencies, Lockheed Martin, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a Certified Government/Defense Financial Manager (CGFM/DFM), holds a Teaching Certification from Harvard University’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, and earned an Executive MBA in International Business from The George Washington University.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1050