Federal Budget Process

Module 1: Federal Budget Overview

• Learning outcomes
• Overview of the federal budget process
• The changing federal budget environment
• The financial crisis of 2007–2008
• Definition of budget terms (using Appendix B)
• The structure and enormity of the federal budget
• The phases of the federal budget process
• Module 1 summary
• Module 1 knowledge check

Module 2: Budget Formulation

• Learning objectives
• Preparation of the President’s budget
• Budget formulation time line
• Budget formulation process
• Budget documents
• Agency budget justification to OMB
• Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)
• The current performance-based budget environment
• Definitions associated with performance management
• Making performance-based budgeting work at the organizational level
• Current performance-based budgeting and reporting requirements
• Revolving funds
• Importance of political relationships
• Module 2 summary
• Case study and exercises 2-1 and 2-2
• Bonus exercise 2-3
• Module 2 knowledge check

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

• Module 3 topics
• Understanding the role of OMB in budgeting
• OMB’s review process
• OMB and congressional action

Module 4: Congressional Action

• Overview of congressional committees
• The role of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
• Congressional review and approval process

Module 5: Budget Execution

• Enactment of appropriations
• Warrants, apportionments, and allocations
• Obligations, expenditures, and reporting
• Quarterly and year-end reports

Module 6: Review and Audit

• Role of the GAO and inspectors general
• Auditing and evaluation of federal programs

Module 7: Final Course Exercise

• Case study and final exercise