# Internal Control for Grants Course (Self-Paced)

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/internal-control-for-grants-course-self-paced>

## Overview

This course translates internal control frameworks into grants practice, showing how to design, document, and test controls that support compliance and performance. Learners connect legal requirements to day-to-day activities across the assistance lifecycle.

By the end, participants will be able to define risk; explain legislative and administrative requirements for internal controls; describe the relationship between risk and controls; and prescribe best practices using case-based exercises.

Ideal for program/grants staff and pass-through entities who need to build or strengthen control systems tied to monitoring, reporting, and payment processes.

## What you'll learn

- Define risk in the context of grants management and oversight.
- Explain legislative and administrative requirements for internal controls.
- Describe how risk and internal controls are connected throughout the assistance lifecycle.
- Translate internal control frameworks into practical grants management activities.
- Design, document, and test controls that promote compliance and performance.
- Apply best practices for monitoring and oversight through case-based exercises.
- Link Green Book principles to grant management by ensuring control activities align with compliance requirements, allowable costs, and program objectives.
- Apply risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities in grant spending, reporting, and subrecipient monitoring.
- Document and monitor control activities (e.g., approvals, reconciliations, and segregation of duties) to strengthen accountability for grant funds.
- Use ongoing evaluation and corrective actions to address internal control deficiencies and demonstrate compliance with federal standards.

## Prerequisites

Students should have prior experience in grants management processes, familiarity with federal compliance requirements, and a basic understanding of risk assessment or internal control principles as applied to program oversight.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Understanding Internal Control in the Grants Environment

- Define internal control components and objectives.
- Connect GAO Green Book/COSO concepts to grants operations.
- Identify typical control activities across the lifecycle.

#### Module 2: Legal Requirements for Internal Control

- Explain statutory/administrative expectations for controls.
- Align policy to risk, compliance, and performance objectives.
- Translate requirements into agency/recipient procedures.

#### Module 3: Grants Management and Internal Control

- Design controls for procurement, payments, and reporting.
- Embed preventative and detective controls in processes.
- Document controls and responsibilities.

#### Module 4: Relationship Between Risk and Internal Controls

- Define risk criteria and appetite in the grants context.
- Use risk assessment to prioritize control activities.
- Monitor and adapt controls based on results.

**Module 5: GAO Greenbook**

- Link Green Book principles to grant management by ensuring control activities align with compliance requirements, allowable costs, and program objectives.
- Apply risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities in grant spending, reporting, and subrecipient monitoring.
- Document and monitor control activities (e.g., approvals, reconciliations, and segregation of duties) to strengthen accountability for grant funds.
- Use ongoing evaluation and corrective actions to address internal control deficiencies and demonstrate compliance with federal standards.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1050