# Defense Working Capital Funds Course Canonical URL: ## Overview Learn the goals, roles, and activities of the Defense Working Capital Funds (DWCF) and how they function in the Federal Government. Utilize a revolving fund concept in designing a business-like enterprise to operate within the Department of Defense (DoD) environment. ## What you'll learn - Describe the legislative history and authority for DWCF. - Distinguish between a DWCF and an appropriated fund program. - Apply effective DWCF business principles and concepts. - Employ effective working relationships with customers and suppliers. - Apply the basics of DWCF accounting, budgeting, cost recovery, financial reporting, and analysis. ## Prerequisites Students should have prior experience working with financial or transactional data, using Excel for data analysis, and applying basic auditing or compliance review techniques, as well as familiarity with identifying anomalies or inconsistencies in datasets. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Legislative Authority and Evolution - Review the legal foundation and statutory authority for Defense Working Capital Funds (DWCF). - Understand the historical evolution of DWCF and its operational mandates. - Identify key legislative milestones impacting DWCF policies and procedures. #### Module 2: Operating Objectives - Define the primary objectives of DWCF operations. - Examine how objectives align with defense mission readiness and efficiency. - Review performance measures used to assess operational effectiveness. #### Module 3: Financial Concepts - Explain core financial management principles specific to DWCF. - Understand cost recovery, revolving funds, and break-even operations. - Identify relationships between financial concepts and DWCF budgeting. #### Module 4: Budgeting - Understand the DWCF budget cycle and planning process. - Review budget formulation, justification, and execution practices. - Examine links between budgets and customer requirements. #### Module 5: Cost Elements - Identify key cost categories in DWCF operations. - Understand how direct, indirect, and overhead costs are calculated. - Review the role of cost elements in rate-setting and financial planning. #### Module 6: Rate Development - Explain the process for developing stabilized customer rates. - Review factors influencing rate determination and adjustment. - Understand the relationship between rates and cost recovery goals. #### Module 7: Stabilized Rates and Fixed Prices - Differentiate between stabilized rates and fixed prices. - Examine policies ensuring price stability for customers. - Review benefits and risks of each pricing method. #### Module 8: Unit Cost Concepts - Define unit cost measures and their applications in DWCF. - Understand how unit costs support cost control and efficiency. - Review unit cost analysis for performance evaluation. #### Module 9: Capital Investment Program - Explain the purpose and scope of the DWCF Capital Investment Program (CIP). - Identify criteria for capital investment approval and prioritization. - Review funding and execution procedures for CIP projects. #### Module 10: Cost Accounting at DWCF Depot Maintenance Activities - Understand cost accounting methods for depot maintenance. - Review job order costing, work-in-process, and completion reporting. - Examine cost allocation to products and services. #### Module 11: Project Orders and Economy Act Orders - Define and differentiate project orders from Economy Act orders. - Understand their legal basis and financial management implications. - Review execution and oversight processes. #### Module 12: Revenue Recognition - Explain principles of revenue recognition in DWCF operations. - Understand timing and documentation requirements for recognizing income. - Review relevant accounting standards and compliance measures. #### Module 13: Production, Planning and Control - Overview of production scheduling and workflow management. - Understand resource allocation and operational efficiency techniques. - Review quality control measures in production planning. #### Module 14: Cash Management and Cost Control - Examine policies for managing DWCF cash balances. - Understand methods for monitoring and controlling operational costs. - Review corrective actions for budget and cash variances. #### Module 15: Managing Inventory - Understand inventory management principles for DWCF operations. - Review processes for forecasting, procurement, and stock control. - Examine cost impacts of inventory decisions. #### Module 16: Financial Statement Analysis - Understand DWCF financial statements and reporting requirements. - Analyze financial data to assess fund performance. - Review key ratios and performance indicators for decision-making. ## Schedule - May 27, 2026 – May 29, 2026 — Live Online - Aug 24, 2026 – Aug 26, 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. ### 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:** $1199