# Advanced Appropriations Law Course (Self-Paced)

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/advanced-appropriations-law-course-self-paced>

## Overview

This course builds on the concepts learned in [Federal Appropriations Law](/courses/federal-appropriations-law). It will provide you with practice in researching questions on the proper use of government funds and applying your research results to several comprehensive case studies. You will gain confidence in your ability to analyze a situation, perform the necessary research, and correctly apply appropriations law concepts to determine the proper course of action. The course will be conducted with a combination of brief instructor lectures on the principles pertinent to the cases, followed by team review and analysis of the cases. The teams will then report their findings to the entire class for discussion and debate. Participants will be allowed to use any research tools at hand, including GAO's Red Book, GAO's website, and other search engine capabilities. Personal tablets, laptops, or smartphones are encouraged to aid in this research.

## What you'll learn

- Provide authoritative guidance to decision makers on the legality of proposed actions.
- Use federal appropriations only for the purposes intended.
- Observe and adhere to critical time frames of federal appropriations.
- Avoid violations of the Antideficiency Act.
- Apply appropriations language to a specific situation.
- Use a reliable process for researching and making recommendations on the proper use of federal funds.

## Prerequisites

Students must complete [Federal Appropriations Law](https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/federal-appropriations-law) (FINC7100) before enrolling in this course or have equivalent knowledge.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Appropriations Law Review

- Overview of key legal sources: Constitution, Authorization and Appropriations Acts, GAO decisions.
- Distinction between fiduciary and pecuniary responsibilities.
- Understanding the congressional “Power of the Purse.”
- Principles such as Specific vs. General Rule and Reprogramming vs. Transfers.
- Case law and administrative discretion in appropriations.

#### Module 2: Purpose

- Application of 31 U.S.C. 1301 and the Necessary Expense Doctrine.
- Specific rules regarding food, gifts, clothing, and travel.
- Evaluation of purpose-related expenditures and proper classification.
- Multiple case studies analyzing conference expenditures and violations.
- Hands-on classification exercise: legal, wasteful, improper, ADA violations.

#### Module 3: Government Charge Cards

- OMB Circular A-123 guidelines and GAO implications.
- Proper and improper use of government purchase cards.
- Certifying officer liability and good faith exceptions.
- Case analysis: food expenditures, fraud, personal purchases, pandemic supplies.

#### Module 4: Time

- Bona Fide Needs Rule and appropriation life cycles (unexpired, expired, canceled).
- Service contract rules: severable vs. non-severable.
- Interagency agreements and use of Economy Act orders.
- Case studies covering invoices, ratifications, contract modifications, leases.

#### Module 5: Amount

- Understanding the Antideficiency Act and miscellaneous receipts statute.
- Identifying and reporting ADA violations.
- Evaluating amount-based misuse through real-world case scenarios.
- Topics include insurance, employment, lease obligations, and unauthorized contracts.

#### Module 6: Inbox Exercise

- Scenario-based application of purpose, time, and amount principles.
- Participants evaluate appropriateness and legality of financial actions.
- Scenarios include: Combined Federal Campaign costs, escrow accounts, smartphone use, ADA infractions.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1199