# Master Certificate in Federal Financial Management - Level IV Certificate Program Live online certificate program for experienced financial leaders Canonical URL: ## Overview Lead teams and manage change in a federal financial environment. Level IV prepares seasoned financial professionals to lead teams and supervise operations within federal financial management. This capstone program focuses on leadership, communication, and strategic oversight, ideal for those with ten or more years of verifiable federal financial experience. ## What you'll learn - Develop advanced leadership skills for managing teams and driving change in federal financial environments. - Master strategic planning techniques to optimize performance and align financial goals with agency missions. - Enhance communication skills to lead effectively and influence stakeholders at all organizational levels. - Apply decision-making and problem-solving frameworks to tackle complex financial challenges in government settings. - Deepen knowledge of appropriations law, cost analysis, and performance accountability for informed resource management. ## Curriculum 1. **Leading Teams and Groups Course** 2. **Decision Making and Problem Solving Course** 3. **Leadership Communication Course** 4. **Advanced Appropriations Law Course** 5. **Activity Costing Executive Seminar for Performance Accountability Course** 6. **Strategic Planning for Government Organizations Course** 7. **AI for Government Leadership and Management Course** ## 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 Doctor 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 Orphans’ 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. ### 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/CDFM), 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. ### Tammara Horton — Instructor Tammara Horton brings extensive experience in federal financial management, budgeting, accounting, audit readiness, and process improvement to her role as an instructor. She began her career with the Department of the Army, advancing from budget analyst to a financial analyst supporting global Security Assistance programs. She later transitioned into consulting, where she supported Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies in strengthening internal controls, preparing for major audits, and optimizing financial workflows. Throughout her career, Tammara has specialized in policy implementation, process improvement, and training development. Today, she leverages her deep government and consulting background to design impactful training programs, sharing her real-world expertise to build and strengthen the skills of the modern federal workforce. ### Robin Fortner — Instructor Robin Fortner is a Marine Corps Veteran, Strategic Executive Advisor, and Leadership Strategist known for elevating leaders and organizations operating in high-stakes environments. With over three decades of military leadership including service as Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary of the Navy, Robin has guided senior decision-makers through complex challenges requiring clarity, readiness, and bold strategic alignment. As a combat veteran deployed to both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, she brings an extensive and hard-won operational knowledge set that informs every dimension of her leadership practice. As President of R.C. Fortner Enterprises, Robin works with senior leaders and organizations to accelerate mission-focused growth, strengthen executive leadership capability, and navigate complex organizational dynamics with confidence and precision. As an instructor and facilitator, Robin translates decades of real-world leadership experience into high-impact learning environments. She is known for bridging rigorous strategic frameworks with human-centered leadership development. Her instructional approach draws from operational experience, making complex leadership concepts immediately applicable and actionable. Robin holds dual Master's degrees in Leadership and Management and Human Resource Management, a Bachelor's degree in Intelligence Studies, and is pursuing her Doctorate in Strategic Leadership at Liberty University. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $5799