Introduction to Federal Accounting Course (Self-Paced)

This course includes

12 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Accredited program
Credits: 1.2 CEUs

This course is self-paced. For live online or in-person instruction, take Introduction to Federal Accounting course.

Gain a solid foundation upon which to build your career in federal accounting. Learn the key concepts of Federal Government accounting, including accrual concepts, maintaining accurate journals and journal vouchers, managing accounts and ledgers, running trial balances and adjusting entries, and reading financial statements.

Full Tuition

$1,649
Due before the class starts

This course includes

12 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Accredited program
Credits: 1.2 CEUs

Learning Experience Highlights

Training from government‑experienced instructors

Receive instruction from subject‑matter experts who bring proven government experience.

Specialized for government & DoD

Courses that are regularly updated based on feedback and industry developments, ensuring versions are mapped to federal competencies.

The instructor was wonderful and so knowledgeable. The course materials were extremely relevant to what my job is. I feel like I can be better because of this class.
— 2025 student

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Real-world solutions

Directly addressing the day-to-day challenges of federal employees.

125+ departments & agencies served

Your trusted training partner, equipping public service professionals with the skills and knowledge to excel in their roles and drive meaningful impact.

100% Online. Start Anytime

24/7 access to our premium course videos and projects.
Industry experts are assigned as your course instructor. Message your instructor with any questions.
Participate in GSUSA online discussion forums — share ideas and receive additional support.
Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.
Receive additional 1-on-1 mentoring to assist with your newly-learned skills and job search. Work with career services to polish your resume and LinkedIn profile, prepare for interviews, and apply to jobs.

1-on-1 Mentoring Sessions Included

We want you to succeed in your career goals. In addition to 12 hours of hands-on, self-paced training, you’ll also receive ten live 1-on-1 mentoring sessions where you can:

Review your portfolio work with an expert
Drill down on challenging concepts
Polish your resume and LinkedIn profile
Receive professional advice for applying to jobs
Ensure you’re on track with your learning goals

Learn more about our mentoring and see terms and conditions

Earn a Certificate of Completion

Upon completion of this course, you’ll receive an official certificate testifying to your mastery of the curriculum. We’ll send you a link where you can download your certificate, share it online with your friends, post it to your professional network on LinkedIn, and view all your earned certificates. Congratulations on your achievement!

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Sample credential for completion of Introduction to Federal Accounting Course (Self-Paced)

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Introduction to Federal Accounting Course (Self-Paced) Curriculum

What You'll Learn at a Glance

Apply federal accounting and financial management funds control concepts, standards, procedures, and practices.
Recognize and record budgetary and proprietary accounting transactions in the financial system for the individual financial events resulting from the budget execution of appropriations.
Use the debit/credit journal entry and “T” account posting processes to simplify and facilitate the accuracy of posting accounting transactions to the United States Standard General Ledger (USSGL) accounts.
Prepare adjusting entries to properly record financial events in the period incurred (accrual accounting).
Prepare closing entries to close out nominal/temporary account balances.
Prepare working, adjusted, and post-closing trial balances and use them to generate external financial reports.
Prepare a Balance Sheet using the post-closing trial balance.
Understand the form and content of agency and government-wide external financial reports.

Course Syllabus

Download Syllabus PDF

Module 1: The Nature of Accounting

Fundamentals of the accounting process
Key accounting terminology and principles
Understanding financial impacts of transactions
Role of the U.S. Standard General Ledger (USSGL)

Module 2: The Federal Budget and Accounting Process

Overview of the federal budget lifecycle
Legal and regulatory frameworks for budget execution
Understanding fund control in federal operations
Interaction between budgeting and accounting

Module 3: The Nature of Federal Accounting

How federal accounting differs from private sector practices
Budgetary vs. proprietary accounting concepts
Legal requirements for federal financial systems
Use of standardized ledgers and classifications

Module 4: What Funds Need to Be Accounted For

Types of federal funds and their classifications
Purpose and period of availability of funds
Tracking and managing fund balances

Module 5: The General Journal, the U.S. Standard General Ledger (USSGL), and Trial Balance

Understanding journal entries and double-entry accounting
Structure and use of the USSGL
Preparation and analysis of trial balances

Module 6: Federal Government Accountable Events

Defining accountable events in the federal context
Recording and classifying financial transactions
Ensuring transparency and audit readiness

Module 7: U.S. Treasury Transaction Codes

Purpose and structure of Treasury Transaction Codes (TTCs)
How TTCs impact budgetary and proprietary accounts
Examples and proper application of TTCs

Module 8: Adjusting Entries

Concept and purpose of adjusting entries
Types of adjustments: accruals, deferrals, estimates
Impact of adjusting entries on financial statements

Module 9: Closing Entries

Purpose of closing entries in the accounting cycle
Temporary vs. permanent accounts
Steps for closing out nominal accounts

Module 10: USSGL Crosswalk Example: Preparation of a Balance Sheet

Linking USSGL accounts to financial statement line items
Using post-closing trial balances
Hands-on preparation of a Balance Sheet

Module 11: Form and Content of Federal Agency and Governmentwide Financial Statements

Components and structure of federal financial statements
Requirements for agency and governmentwide reporting
Understanding statement formats and disclosures

Group Training

Since 1921, Graduate School USA has partnered with over 125 federal agencies and trained more than one million federal employees. Led by instructors with deep, real-world knowledge of federal regulations, policies, and practices, our private group programs are practical, mission-driven, and tailored to your agency’s objectives. We offer expertise across key federal domains—including human resources, financial management, acquisition and contracting, leadership, and more—to deliver training where and how your team needs it.

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Installments
	10% non-refundable deposit
$1,649.00	Total You Pay