# Federal Appropriations Law Course Canonical URL: ## Overview In this comprehensive course, you will learn how to correctly interpret and apply federal appropriations law to the use of appropriated funds. You will gain a solid foundation in federal government appropriations law using the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Principles of Federal Appropriations Law (the Red Book), Chapters 1–3 (4th Ed.) and Chapters 5–15 (3rd Ed.). Chapter 4 was consolidated into Chapters 1 and 2 by GAO. After the course, you will be able to determine the availability of appropriations as to purpose, time, and amount, and to avoid Antideficiency Act errors. The course also explores the relationship of agency budgets to appropriations, and the propriety, timing, and legality of certain types of expenditures. Working in teams, you will gain practical experience by analyzing case studies that are based on actual Comptroller General Decisions. ## What you'll learn - Assess the propriety of administrative decisions - Apply Comptroller General (CG) decisions to organizational activities, including legal review of agency regulations - Assist in the legal obligation of one-year, multiple-year, and no-year appropriations by applying the necessary expense rule, the bona fide needs rule, and the provisions of the Antideficiency Act - Avoid Antideficiency Act violations - Record obligations properly - Avoid losses of property or making improper payments ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction - Understand the objectives and scope of federal appropriations law. - Recognize the importance of legal compliance in managing public funds. - Identify key sources and resources for learning appropriations law. #### Module 2: The Legal Framework - Explain reprogramming. - Understand application of appropriation language. - Understand permanent law. - Describe the life cycle of an appropriation. - Understand administrative discretion. #### Module 3: Availability of Appropriations: Purpose - Determine authorized purposes. - Apply the “Necessary Expense Doctrine” (specific purpose authorities and limitations) to making legal obligations. - Judge at what point appropriated funds may or may not be used for personal benefit. #### Modules mirror the GAO Red Book — there is no Module 4. #### Module 5: Availability of Appropriations: Time - Understand time restrictions on the use of appropriated funds. - Differentiate between one-year, multiple-year, and no-year appropriations. - Learn about the Bona Fide Needs Rule and its application. - Identify violations related to the timing of obligations and expenditures. #### Module 6: Availability of Appropriations: Amount - Understand the Antideficiency Act and its requirements. - Identify rules for ensuring expenditures do not exceed appropriated amounts. - Learn about apportionments, allocations, and allotments. - Recognize penalties and consequences for violations of amount restrictions. #### Module 7: Obligation of Appropriations - Advise managers on proper recording of obligations. - Understand and abide by legal use of digital signatures and codes. - Determine protocol for actions that extend beyond the fiscal year, to include obligations against expired accounts. #### Module 8: Continuing Resolutions - Obligate within the parameters of the “current rate.” - Obligate for projects and activities. - Explain the limitations that apply to agencies operating under a Continuing Resolution. #### Module 9: Liability and Relief of Accountable Officers - Understand the responsibilities of accountable officers for federal funds. - Identify types of liability, including physical loss and improper payments. - Learn about processes for seeking relief from liability. ## Schedule - Jun 23, 2026 – Jun 26, 2026 — Live Online - Jul 20, 2026 – Jul 23, 2026 — Live Online - Aug 24, 2026 – Aug 27, 2026 — Live Online - Sep 15, 2026 – Sep 18, 2026 — Live Online - Oct 27, 2026 – Oct 30, 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:** $1649