# DoD Fiscal Law Principles Course Canonical URL: ## Overview This two-day course is designed to provide you with DoD-specific authorities or prohibitions relating to fiscal law (also called “federal appropriations law”). DoD, like all federal agencies, is bound by the basic fiscal law rules. However, DoD has considerably more flexibility in many areas because Congress has given specific statutory authority to DoD. Additionally, DoD has several activities that make it different from other agencies (e.g., Military Construction). Basic federal appropriations law courses may not address these DoD-specific topics. This course covers the major fiscal law exceptions and authorities that apply to DoD. This course also serves another purpose. It will fulfill the requirement for DoD Financial Management personnel to receive recurring fiscal law training. It covers changes that have been made to the Principles of Federal Appropriations Law (the “Redbook”) since you last studied the material in the 4-day Federal Appropriations Law course. Thus, you will not only learn about DoD specifics but also be brought up to date on generic fiscal law developments ## What you'll learn - Understand and apply DoD-specific fiscal law rules. - Assess the propriety of administrative decisions. - Apply Comptroller General decisions. - Assist in the legal obligation of funds. - Avoid Antideficiency Act violations. - Record obligations properly. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction - Review the scope and objectives of the Federal Appropriations Law Refresher and Update course. - Understand the importance of appropriations law in federal financial management. - Identify the primary sources of appropriations law and their application. #### Module 2: Legal Framework - Examine the constitutional basis for federal appropriations law. - Understand statutory authorities and related guidance documents. - Review the role of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in interpreting and applying appropriations law. #### Module 3: Availability of Appropriations — Purpose - Understand the Purpose Statute and its role in ensuring funds are used only for authorized objectives. - Review key legal decisions and GAO opinions related to the purpose restriction. - Identify common violations and preventative measures. #### Note: This course moves from Module 3 to Module 5, reflecting the Red Book's structure, which has no Chapter 4. #### Module 5: Availability of Appropriations — Time - Review the time limitations on the use of appropriations as outlined in federal law. - Differentiate between annual, multiple-year, and no-year appropriations. - Understand the implications of the Bona Fide Needs Rule. #### Module 6: Availability of Appropriations — Amount - Examine statutory restrictions on spending in excess of appropriated amounts. - Understand the Antideficiency Act and its enforcement mechanisms. - Discuss the role of apportionments and allotments in controlling obligations. #### Module 7: Obligation of Appropriations - Define what constitutes an obligation under federal appropriations law. - Understand the timing and recording of obligations. - Review key legal precedents and case studies on obligations. #### Module 8: Continuing Resolutions - Understand the function of continuing resolutions in maintaining government operations. - Review limitations and special provisions typically included in continuing resolutions. - Examine the legal implications for obligations and expenditures during a continuing resolution period. #### Module 9: Liability and Relief of Accountable Officers - Identify the responsibilities and potential liabilities of accountable officers. - Understand the legal standards for granting relief from liability. - Review GAO and agency-level procedures for handling liability cases. ## Schedule - Aug 17, 2026 – Aug 18, 2026 — Live Online - Sep 22, 2026 – Sep 23, 2026 — Live Online ## Instructors ### Alan B. Robinson — Instructor Mr. Robinson is a seasoned legal and federal employment expert with over two decades of experience. He recently retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, where he spent 11 years as Deputy Director/Director for the Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) and 8 years as Chief of Employee and Labor Relations. In these roles, he provided extensive guidance on federal employment matters, showcasing his deep expertise in labor relations and diversity initiatives. A graduate of the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Government, Mr. Robinson earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Before his federal service, he built a robust legal career, starting as a law clerk for the Baltimore City Orphan’s Court, followed by 10 years as a civil defense litigator with a D.C. law firm, and later operating his own solo practice for 5 years. His private practice focused on representing federal agencies, employees, municipalities, and private entities in employment-related cases before the EEOC, Merit Systems Protection Board, and various courts. Currently, Mr. Robinson shares his wealth of knowledge as an adjunct instructor with the Graduate School USA and serves as a registered arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). His extensive background in law, federal employment, and diversity makes him a valuable resource in his field. ### Kent Miller — Instructor Kent D. Miller, Jr., MBA, CDFM-A, is a highly accomplished financial management expert and educator with over 40 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. A retired U.S. Army officer, Kent has held leadership roles such as Controller/CFO for the U.S. Army Missile Command and Program Manager/Financial Analyst for the Assistant Secretary of the Army. His expertise spans budgeting, cost analysis, managerial accounting, and financial systems implementation. Notably, he managed a $9 billion organization, supervised a financial staff of 150, and developed funding requirements and congressional testimony for senior Army leadership. Kent’s career also includes consulting and training, where he has developed over 50 courses and taught more than 20,000 students from federal agencies and contractors. As an adjunct instructor at Graduate School USA since 2005, Kent specializes in financial management training for federal employees. His courses cover a wide range of topics, including appropriations law, budget formulation and execution, and performance-based budgeting. Kent’s teaching is informed by his extensive experience in planning, programming, and budgeting, as well as his work in reengineering processes to achieve cost savings. He is also a Certified Defense Financial Manager with Acquisition Specialty (CDFM-A) and has been recognized for his leadership in professional organizations such as the Society of Defense Financial Management and the Association of Government Accountants. ### 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:** $1049