Course Title

Number of Days

Course Description

United States General Ledger – Basic

2

This course presents the U. S. Government Standard General Ledger (SGL) document components and explains the objectives and policies of the SGL. It is designed to differentiate between budgetary and proprietary accounting and explains the integration of budgetary and proprietary SGL accounts. It provides a full explanation of the basic flow of transactions and required pro forma entries. SGL Basic is the first course in the SGL series of courses.

Major topics include:

• Accounting for basic operating appropriations and reimbursable work
• Information contained in the SGL accounts and how the accounts are used
• The most common accounting transactions and accounts used in federal agencies
• Practical exercises and case studies

United States General Ledger –Intermediate

2

This course reviews the United States Government Standard General Ledger (SGL) document components. Integrating the Budgetary and Proprietary accounts for both Direct Funds and Reimbursable Funds are discussed.  This course is intended for individuals who have:

• Completed the SGL Basic and feel that they have a need for instruction on the SGL before attending the advance course
• Had a SGL class from another source and need to qualify for the Treasury’s SGL-Advanced and the certificate program
• Considerable experience in using the SGL and would prefer not to start with the SGL-Basic course

Major topics include:

• Accounting for direct appropriations and reimbursable work
• SGL account titles and descriptions. How the accounts are used
• Accounting transactions and accounts used in federal agencies

Unfunded liabilities and expenses Current year adjusting entries for:

• Obligations different from commitments
• Expenditures different from obligations
• Payments with discounts
• Reimbursable orders

FACTS II

2

FACTS II is a financial management system used to collect budget execution data required by the SF 133: Report on Budget Execution (a quarterly report that contains information on the sources of budget authority and the status of budgetary resources by individual fund or appropriation), the FMS 2108: Year-End Closing Statement (an annual report that contained year-end fund resources, uses, and unobligated balances by individual appropriation or fund) and much of the initial set of data for the Program and Financing (P & F) Schedule - prior year column.

Major topics include:

• In-depth discussion of the SGL as it relates to FACTS II
• Budgetary Accounts, Fund Balance w/Treasury and Investments
• FMS 2108 Year-End Closing Statement and SF 133 Report on Budget Execution (how these reports are generated)
• FACTS II system requirements and edits (agency implementation example)
• Auditing FACTS II information.

Financial Reporting:

FACTS I Closing Package

Performance     
And Accountability 
Reporting (PAR)

3

This course provides a comprehensive examination of the Government Financial Reporting System (GFRS) including FACTS I and the Closing Package; and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Performance and Accountability Reports (PAR).  These reports form the basis for information presented in Treasury's annual Financial Report of the U.S. Government and for agency annual audited financial statements required by the Chief Financial Officers' Act, Government Performance and Results Act and the Government Management and Reform Act.  Course exercises are used to demonstrate the content, preparation and review of FACTS I and Form & Content reports.

Major topics include:

• Authoritative reporting guidance (OMB Circular A-11, Treasury Financial Manual (TFM) and OMB Circular A-136)
• FACTS I; the system, components, edits, structure, and system outputs
• Form & Content reports (Balance Sheet, Statements of Net Cost, Budgetary Resources, Changes of Net Position, and Custodial Activity)
• Relationship of the FACTS I/Closing Package to agency financial reports SGL Trial Balance information.

SF 133

2

This course is designed to help individuals who prepare or want to understand the components of the SF 133 and how the document is used. The SF-133: Report on Budget Execution is a quarterly report that contains information on the sources of budget authority and the status of budgetary resources by individual fund or appropriation

Major topics include: Background and structure of the SF 133

• How to apply OMB Circular A-11 guidance when preparing the SF 133
• Information included on each line of the form and how it is used Line-by-line guidance on the SF 133 preparation

SF 224
Reconciling Fund Balance with Treasury

2

This primer course reviews the purpose and preparation of the FMS 224: Statement of Transactions used by federal agencies for which Treasury Regional Financial Centers (RFCs) issues payments. Focusing on reporting by 8-digit Agency Location Code and Appropriation and other fund symbols, students learn how to report deposit and disbursement transactions and the source documents used to prepare the report.

Major topics include:

• Terms and concepts
• Deposit and disbursement processes used by most federal agencies
• Submission deadlines
• Reporting by federal accounts (Receipts, Expenditure and Suspense)
• Document preparation (by section/by line)
• Making corrective entries
• Collection, disbursement and check cancellation source documents used to prepare the report (FMS 215, 5515, 1166, IPAC, 145)
• Spotting "red flags" and edit checks in reporting
• GOALS II "Internet" Submission

Upward and Downward Adjustments

1

This course addresses three specific areas; the SGL entries for upward and downward adjustments to prior year obligations in expired appropriations; the SGL entries for upward and downward adjustments for prior year obligations in multi-year and indefinite appropriations; and the closing entries for expired and unexpired appropriations.  SGL Upward and Downward Adjustments show how adjustments and prior year obligations affect the Statement of Transactions (FMS 224/FMS 1220) and the Report on Budget Execution (SF 133)/FACTS II).

General Ledger Trial Balances and Crosswalks

1

This course provides an in-depth presentation of the Standard General Ledger as it pertains to FACTS I/Closing Package and FACTS trial balances.  It addresses these three specific areas: the internal relationships inherent in the USSGL posting models, the relationship of SGL to federal reports and their relationships to each other, and the relationship of specific SGL accounts to each other (Tie Points).  Students will use a crosswalk to create a report and be shown a tool for testing the validity of trial balance prior to reporting. 

Major topics include:

   Relationships Among SGL Accounts
   Preparation of Financial Statements
   Passing FACTS II Reporting Edit Checks

Certifying Officer

1

This course explains the legal role and responsibilities of Certifying Officers. Students learn about the differences between Certifying Officers and other accountable officers, the role of the Certifying Officer in the payment process, and the Certifying Officer's legal liability if a loss occurs. Through a close examination of relevant statutes and Comptroller General decisions, this course provides Certifying Officers with the knowledge to certify with confidence that federal payments are legal, proper and correct. Students work in teams to solve practical exercises and case studies.

Major topics include:

• Legal Liability and Relief of Accountable Officers
• Automated Payment Systems
• Electronic Certification
• Duplicate Check Losses
• Proper Collection Action

Practical Applications of Appropriations Law

2

This course is a must for every career federal employee. It offers an introduction to frequently cited laws and Comptroller General decisions. Starting with the Federal Budget Process, the course tracks an agency's appropriation from beginning to end. Focusing on the practical application of information, the course explains the legal availability of funds according to Purpose, Time, and Amount.

Major topics include:

• GAO Classification of Appropriations, Obligations and Deobligations
• The Necessary Expenses Doctrine
• Lump Sum Appropriations
• The Anti-Deficiency Act
• The Bona Fide Needs Rule
• Legal Liability and Relief of Accountable Officers
• Continuing Resolutions
• The Economy Act
• Food, Gifts and Business Cards

Judgement Fund Responsibilities Case studies/practical exercises help students apply the concepts and understand the impact of Comptroller General decisions on their program areas. GAO's latest decisions will be provided and discussed.

IPACs

1

The Intragovernmental Payment and Collection (IPAC) System is one of the major components of the Government On-Line Accounting Link System II (GOALS II).  The IPAC application’s primary purpose is to provide a standardized interagency fund transfer mechanism for Federal Program Agencies.  IPAC facilitates the intragovernmental transfer of funds, with descriptive data, from one FPA to another.  On-line transactions will be processed immediately.

Accounting for Non Accountants

2

This course consolidates and replaces two of our previously offered classes: Basic Accounting Concepts and Accrual World. This foundation course provides an excellent non-technical introduction to governmental budgeting and accounting. Students will become acquainted with budgeting and accounting terms as well as the historical context of the federal government and legal concepts that drive Congressional appropriations. Using the accounting model, government accounting principles are learned and applied. This class is a great introduction to the Standard General Ledger courses.

Major topics include:

• Definition of accounting terminology
• Fundamental accounting principles
• The SGL chart of accounts
• The Budgetary and Proprietary Equations
• Legislative accounting mandates
• The Federal Budget Process
• What is Budgetary Accounting?
• Identify how agencies are financed
• Standard financial statements/reports