# Federal Appropriations Law Refresher and Update Course Canonical URL: ## Overview This course provides a periodic refresher and update on federal appropriations law that is needed for the following reasons: 1. Congress passes new laws from time to time 2. Federal Courts issue new decisions that set precedent 3. The Comptroller General occasionally renders new decisions or modifies existing decisions This course brings you up-to-date on all of these changes to federal appropriations law. Participants will learn to apply appropriations law concepts by completing case studies based on Comptroller General decisions. ## What you'll learn - Evaluate propriety of administrative decisions. - Apply Comptroller General decisions. - Assist in the legal obligation of funds. - Avoid Anti-Deficiency Act violations. - Record obligations properly. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction - Review the purpose and objectives of federal appropriations law. - Understand the scope and application of appropriations regulations in federal agencies. - Introduce key terminology and concepts used in funding law. #### Module 2: Legal Framework - Examine constitutional provisions, statutes, and case law governing appropriations. - Identify the roles of Congress, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). - Understand the hierarchy of legal authority in federal funding decisions. #### Module 3: Availability of Appropriations — Purpose - Explain the “Purpose Statute” and its role in determining legal expenditure uses. - Discuss the principles of necessary expense doctrine. - Review examples of permissible and impermissible use of funds. #### Module 4: Reserved for Future Use - This section is intentionally left blank for future course updates and new guidance. #### Module 5: Availability of Appropriations — Time - Understand the rules governing the period of availability for federal funds. - Differentiate between annual, multiple-year, and no-year appropriations. - Review expiration and cancellation of appropriations. #### Module 6: Availability of Appropriations — Amount - Examine statutory limitations on the amount of appropriations available. - Discuss the Anti-Deficiency Act and its implications for agency operations. - Review reporting and corrective actions for violations. #### Module 7: Obligation of Appropriations - Define “obligation” in the context of federal appropriations law. - Identify the legal criteria for valid obligations. - Review common issues and errors in obligating funds. #### Module 8: Continuing Resolutions - Explain the purpose and function of continuing resolutions in maintaining government operations. - Discuss the limitations and challenges of operating under continuing resolutions. - Review compliance requirements during temporary funding measures. #### Module 9: Liability and Relief of Accountable Officers - Identify the responsibilities of accountable officers in federal financial management. - Discuss legal liabilities and potential penalties for misuse of funds. - Review processes for requesting and obtaining relief from liability. ## Schedule - Jul 7, 2026 – Jul 8, 2026 — Live Online - Sep 17, 2026 – Sep 18, 2026 — Live Online - Oct 1, 2026 – Oct 2, 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