# Internal Control for Grants Course

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

## 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.

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.

## 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.

## 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.

## Schedule
- Sep 8, 2026 – Sep 9, 2026 — Live Online
- Dec 1, 2026 – Dec 2, 2026 — Live Online

## Instructors

### Seitu Stephens, J.D. — Instructor

Seitu I. Stephens, J.D., is a nationally recognized trainer and consultant in federal grants management, compliance, and program oversight. With more than two decades of experience working with federal, state, territorial, and nonprofit organizations, he specializes in helping agencies and grant recipients design, manage, and monitor federally funded programs in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200).

Mr. Stephens has trained hundreds of grant professionals across government agencies, community-based organizations, and institutions of higher education. His instruction focuses on practical strategies for managing federal awards, structuring and monitoring subawards, ensuring financial accountability, preparing for audits, and strengthening internal controls to protect federal funds and program outcomes.

He has developed and delivered numerous professional development courses on topics including grant program design, risk assessment, subrecipient monitoring, procurement under federal awards, and audit preparation. His courses combine regulatory expertise with real-world case studies that help participants translate complex federal requirements into effective operational practices.

In addition to his training work, Mr. Stephens advises organizations on strengthening grant management systems, improving compliance frameworks, and building sustainable partnerships between government agencies and community-based organizations.

Mr. Stephens holds a Juris Doctor degree and is widely respected for his engaging instructional style and his ability to make complex federal grant regulations clear, practical, and actionable for practitioners.

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1050