Budget Analysis and Execution: An Introduction

Who Should Attend

If you are a steward of taxpayer resources and are passionate about executing your responsibilities in the manner that Congress intended, then this course is for you!  

This course is designed for program managers, project managers, accountants, contract specialists, contract officers, CORs, grants administrators, political appointees, new federal hires, budget analysts, budget assistants, administrative officers, new supervisors, purchase card holders, and anyone else who has, or would like to have, a role in acquiring, spending, monitoring, adjusting, or ensuring value for taxpayer dollars.   This course will help you glean the requisite knowledge to execute your responsibilities effectively and efficiently.

This class was formerly called Budget Analysis: An Introduction.

Additional Information

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

NASBA CPE Field of Study: Finance (Federal)

Course Overview

The body of enacted laws providing appropriations for a fiscal year becomes the government’s financial plan for that fiscal year.  The budget execution and analysis phase refers generally to the period during which the budget authority, made available by appropriations, remains available for obligation.   An agency’s task during this phase is to spend the money provided by Congress to carry out the objectives of the program legislation, in accordance with fiscal statutes and appropriations, while simultaneously beginning phase 1 for the next budget. (GAO). This cannot be accomplished without on-going integrated analysis, which includes:  

• Identifying issues and opportunities
• Developing and analyzing options and trends
• Planning for the analysis of issues that will need decisions in the future 

Proper budget analysis and budget execution ensure appropriate agency funds control as well as the proper obligation and/or disbursement of an agency's Congressional appropriation. 

Course Topics

This highly interactive course provides a broad overview of budget execution and analysis and covers:  

• Budget Execution Specific Laws
• Budget Process Overview
  • Formulation
  • Congressional
  • Execution
• Budget Authorities
• Authorizations
• Receipt of Congressional Funding
  • Receiving Appropriation Language
  • Interpreting Appropriation Language
• Apportionments
  • Category A
  • Category B
  • Category AB
  • Category C
• Operating under a Continuing Resolution
• Operating Plans
• Allotments
• Treasury Warrants
• Program Project and Activity Controls
• Execution and Analysis of Funds
  • Appropriation Account Classification Code Structure
  • Budget Object Class Codes
  • Administrative Funds Controls
  • Commitments
  • Obligations
  • Accruals
  • ULO's/NULO's
  • Unfilled Orders
  • Expenses/Disbursements and Outlays
  • Analysis and Reporting
• OMB Circular A-11