# Strategic Spending Executive Seminar: Intelligent Funds Management in Challenging Times Course Canonical URL: ## Overview This one-day seminar is essential for Executives and Resource Managers to intelligently direct the best use of federal money when decisions are the toughest and funding challenges are the greatest. Federal agencies endure times when funds are scarce, including at year-end; during continuing resolutions; and when programs, projects, and activities run into technical, management or financial difficulties. How do we predict, prevent, prepare, and decide during these tough times? What legal alternatives and actions are available to offer the “best” outcomes? This course explores strategic approaches to federal financial management challenges; suggestions to prevent financial crises (including personal liability), and to mitigate the impact of financial crises. Strategic alternatives and specific approaches are suggested through the financial cycle to the final disbursement of funds. ## What you'll learn - Gain a practical understanding of the legal framework governing federal spending. - Prepare and execute a plan before, during, and after a Continuing Resolution. - Plan and execute maximum spending alternatives and opportunities with Year-End funds. - Recognize the limitations and adjustments necessary to maintain priorities and performance objectives. - Avoid actions for which there are severe penalties and the red flags of possible violations. ## Prerequisites Students must complete Federal Appropriations Law (FINC7100) before enrolling in this course. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: The Size and Scope of the U.S. Budget – Why Our Path is “Unsustainable” - Identify key components of the national debt and annual deficit. - Distinguish between mandatory and discretionary spending. - Discuss challenges posed by major federal programs and interest on debt. - Explore fiscal sustainability and economic implications of deficit spending. #### Module 2: How Money Works – The Federal Budget Cycle - Examine the full lifecycle of federal budget formulation and execution. - Understand appropriations, apportionments, and obligations. - Review legal constraints and audit considerations during budget execution. - Recognize procurement authorities and budgetary compliance rules. #### Module 3: The Lifecycle of Federal Financial Transactions – How We Spend Money - Trace transactions from appropriation to final Treasury outlay. - Identify key internal controls and financial checkpoints. - Understand the importance of managing unliquidated obligations (ULOs). - Apply proactive techniques for accurate transaction lifecycle oversight. #### Module 4: Year-End Spending – Between a Falling Rock and a Hard Place - Navigate the legal framework for year-end spending, including the ADA and BNR rules. - Avoid common mistakes during fiscal closeout periods. - Understand obligations, procurement rules, and time-sensitive fiscal constraints. - Leverage best practices for compliant, efficient year-end financial management. #### Module 5: What To Do When Things Go WROGN - Prepare for financial crises such as funding cuts, recissions, and shutdowns. - Review Anti-Deficiency Act consequences and liability risks. - Develop a spending plan and tiered priorities to safeguard mission-essential activities. - Explore tactical responses to financial management disruptions. #### Module 6: Controlled Chaos - Execute a strategic reduction in expenditures when facing unavoidable budget cuts. - Manage burn rates, obligations, and contingency funds under pressure. - Coordinate key roles and teams to maintain continuity during austerity periods. - Prioritize essential personnel, contracts, and resources for sustainability. #### Module 7: Down to Zero - Plan and execute a full agency or program shutdown due to lapse or termination. - Comply with furlough rules and shutdown furlough guidance from OPM. - Secure government assets, finalize fiscal records, and manage RIF processes. - Minimize risk while preparing for potential funding restoration or permanent closure. #### Module 8: Communications – Interactions and Restrictions on Financial Information - Understand statutory and regulatory restrictions on financial communications. - Navigate communication channels with Congress, OMB, and auditors appropriately. - Avoid lobbying violations and unauthorized information disclosures. - Protect PII and classified information while maintaining transparency and accuracy. ## Schedule - Jul 27, 2026 9:00am–5:00pm — Live Online - Sep 24, 2026 9:00am–5:00pm — Live Online - Nov 6, 2026 9:00am–5:00pm — 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:** $579