Federal Budget Process (Self-Paced)
IDBUDG7103SP

Module 1: Federal Budget Overview

• Describe the purposes of the federal budget
• Discuss the changing budget environment
• Define budget terms
• Explain the size and composition of the federal budget
• Identify the major phases of the budget process
• Describe the results of each budget phase

Module 2: Budget Formulation

• Describe the process of formulating the President’s Budget
• Identify and describe the main components of the President’s Budget
• Identify the major participants in the budget formulation process and describe the responsibilities of each
• Describe an agency’s responsibilities to OMB during the formulation phase of the federal budget process
• Explain the concepts and operations of a revolving fund
• Describe GPRA performance measurement criteria
• Explain the importance of political relationships

Module 3: The Federal Budget and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

• Describe OMB’s mission and functions, including preparing and managing the federal budget
• Identify the primary divisions within OMB and describe their basic roles and responsibilities
• Explain the working relationship between agencies and OMB
• Describe the sequence of events involved in budget examination and review by OMB
• Describe OMB’s responsibility under GPRA
• Identify key OMB Circulars

Module 4: Congressional Action

• Identify the primary impacts of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 on the Congressional Action Phase
• Identify the major congressional committees and the principal participants involved in the budget process and describe their functions
• Describe the Budget Resolution process and the components of this document
• Describe authorization and appropriation procedures and how differences between them are reconciled
• Describe the role of the CBO in the budget process

Module 5: Budget Execution

• Describe the Budget Execution Phase responsibilities of the principal participants
• Describe the purpose of Treasury warrants
• Describe the apportionment and allotment processes
• Define the terms obligation and outlay
• Define reprogramming and transfers
• Define and describe deferrals and rescissions
• Identify and describe the agencies’ required quarterly and end of year reports
• Identify the elements that make up the “three-legged stool” of federal appropriations law

Module 6: Review and Audit

• Explain the roles and responsibilities of GAO
• Explain the role and responsibilities of the Office of the Inspector General
• Describe the relationship of the review and audit activities to future budget formulation

Module 7: Final Course Exercise

• Case study and final exercise