Budget Formulation Course
IDBUDG7101
Federal employees and budget staff can obtain an understanding of the steps involved in developing a performance-based budget, regardless of complexity.
Federal employees and budget staff can obtain an understanding of the steps involved in developing a performance-based budget, regardless of complexity.
Master the skills necessary to build an accurate and defensible budget compliant with budget-related legislation and the strict standards of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Learn how to define outcomes and other performance measures, gather the data necessary to prepare a budget, identify the dollar resources needed to attain the performance outcomes, and present and defend your budget.
Our alumni consistently commend the expertise of our instructors and the real-world relevance of our programs. Their feedback highlights how Graduate School USA training has advanced their skills, supported their agencies’ missions, and fostered long-term professional growth.
We should have recurring training on this topic. Overall, excellent class. The instructor had a nice pace, and he answered all the questions.
Claudia Simpson
Appreciated the energy of the instructor. Engaging and very cordial.
Kim Moody
The instructor was knowledgeable and provided great insight throughout the course.
Jacqueline Z.
The instructor was engaged and encouraged participation from students.
Karen P.
Great class. The instructor was excellent. He kept the class engaged.
Kenia Stumbaugh
This is a great class to learn what Budget Formulation does. Great instructor who encourages everyone to participate.
Rosemary Thomas
Thank you, Mr. Brown, for leading our class! Mr. Alvin Brown was a dedicated professional, engaging the class in discussions for better understanding.
Tracy Neal
The instructor was knowledgeable, listened to the group, and adjusted his teaching so that we could be more comfortable in understanding the class and the requirements. I enjoyed working with my group and getting feedback from my co-workers. Getting to the right answer, but using a different point of view to obtain the answers.
Tina S.
Had a great experience, I would recommend the course to others in my organization. The instructor was very knowledgeable about the material and delivered the information at a digestible pace.
Jason G.
I enjoyed the training - the instructor was very knowledgeable.
Jackie M.
The instructor was very detailed, patient, and knowledgeable. I learned a lot.
Frieda C.
Scott was extremely knowledgeable and took the time to explain things in a way that made it easy to understand.
Tevon T.
Another great class!
Adrienne Roughgarden
Marguerite Scully was personable and engaging. Well organized course - will be using the summary and appendices going forward.
Clarry E.
Content and materials were precise. Ms Scully was extremely knowledgeable.
Tori S.
Budget Formulation Course is rated 4.3 stars by 32 students
Another great class!
Had a great experience, I would recommend the course to others in my organization. The instructor was very knowledgeable about the material and delivered the information at a digestible pace.
Scott was extremely knowledgeable and took the time to explain things in a way that made it easy to understand.
The instructor was very detailed, patient, and knowledgeable. I learned a lot.
I enjoyed the training - the instructor was very knowledgeable.
The instructor was knowledgeable, listened to the group, and adjusted his teaching so that we could be more comfortable in understanding the class and the requirements. I enjoyed working with my group and getting feedback from my co-workers. Getting to the right answer, but using a different point of view to obtain the answers.
Thank you, Mr. Brown, for leading our class! Mr. Alvin Brown was a dedicated professional, engaging the class in discussions for better understanding.
This is a great class to learn what Budget Formulation does. Great instructor who encourages everyone to participate.
Great class. The instructor was excellent. He kept the class engaged.
The instructor was engaged and encouraged participation from students.
The instructor was knowledgeable and provided great insight throughout the course.
Appreciated the energy of the instructor. Engaging and very cordial.
We should have recurring training on this topic. Overall, excellent class. The instructor had a nice pace, and he answered all the questions.
Marguerite Scully was personable and engaging. Well organized course - will be using the summary and appendices going forward.
Content and materials were precise. Ms Scully was extremely knowledgeable.
Showing 15 of 15 reviews
Receive instruction from subject‑matter experts who bring proven government experience.
Courses that are regularly updated based on feedback and industry developments, ensuring versions are mapped to federal competencies.
The instructor was wonderful and so knowledgeable. The course materials were extremely relevant to what my job is. I feel like I can be better because of this class.
— 2025 student
Directly addressing the day-to-day challenges of federal employees.
Your trusted training partner, equipping public service professionals with the skills and knowledge to excel in their roles and drive meaningful impact.
Attend this course live online or as self-paced training. Engage with expert instructors, ask questions, and get feedback on your exercises and projects.
Get the same interactivity and access to the instructor as in-person students. There are no extra fees and we’ll work with you to ensure your remote setup is perfect.
Learn at your own pace with pre-recorded video lessons and hands-on exercises. Work through the material on your schedule with access to course content and resources.
Our instructors are industry experts and experienced educators, driven to help you succeed.
Instructor
Curriculum Program Manager
Upon completion of this course, you’ll receive an official certificate testifying to your mastery of the curriculum. We’ll send you a link where you can download your certificate, share it online with your friends, post it to your professional network on LinkedIn, and view all your earned certificates. Congratulations on your achievement!
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We offer a single free retake of the class within a year.
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Students will review current budget execution policy and guidance published in OMB’s Circular A-11; learn about the principles of purpose, time, and amount that govern how federal agencies can properly use appropriated funds, ensuring compliance with legal and budgetary constraints; and the relationship between performance plans/goals and operating budgets.
Gain a foundational understanding of the federal budget process, including preparation, execution, and financial management.
Learn how to justify program funding requests effectively using performance data and decision-quality visuals.
Gain general understanding of the federal budget process, including Congressional and OMB laws, framework and responsibilities, budgetary and proprietary principles, financial reporting requirements, and general budget compliance. Designed for federal finance and budget professionals, program and project managers, management staff impacting financial and budget operations.
Since 1921, Graduate School USA has partnered with over 125 federal agencies and trained more than one million federal employees. Led by instructors with deep, real-world knowledge of federal regulations, policies, and practices, our private group programs are practical, mission-driven, and tailored to your agency’s objectives. We offer expertise across key federal domains—including human resources, financial management, acquisition and contracting, leadership, and more—to deliver training where and how your team needs it.
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The first installment is due one week before the first class. Subsequent installments are spread out evenly across the duration of the course.
| Installments | |
|---|---|
| $119.90 | 10% non-refundable deposit |
| $1,199.00 | Total You Pay |
See the Installment plan FAQ for more information.
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.
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.