CDFM Module 2 study plan

Map the full federal budget lifecycle from agency request through OMB passback, congressional action, and apportionment, drawing the sequence from memory by end of week

Distinguish the three budget authority types (annual, multiyear, no-year) and identify which appropriations in a sample agency request use each

Explain the difference between obligations, outlays, and budgetary resources and compute each for three worked scenarios

State the purpose, timing, and legal effect of an apportionment versus an allotment versus a commitment

Apply the bona fide needs rule to five fact patterns and justify each conclusion in two sentences

Apply the purpose, time, and amount tests of the Antideficiency Act to six scenarios and identify which test fails in each

Differentiate the three Antideficiency Act violation types and list the reporting chain required after a violation is found

Explain the necessary expense doctrine and the augmentation principle and show how each limits agency spending choices

Trace a transaction from commitment through obligation, accrual, and outlay and identify the accounting event recorded at each step

Distinguish obligation-based budgetary accounting from proprietary accrual accounting and state which reports each feeds

Demonstrate how an obligational authority ledger is reconciled to the general ledger and explain what a discrepancy signals

Classify ten sample transactions as reimbursable, direct, or working capital activity and identify the correct fund source

Distinguish the three types of availability and explain how each affects the timing of obligations and disbursements

Calculate an administrative subdivision of funds and explain when a formal subdivision is required

Explain the purpose and mechanics of a continuing resolution and identify the constraints it places on new starts and obligation rates

Identify the key players in funds execution, including the resource manager, budget officer, and certifying and disbursing officers, and state each role's accountability

Identify the core financial statements and supplementary reports in federal financial reporting and state what each demonstrates

Explain the purpose and components of the annual financial report and the role of the agency's audited financial statements

Map the five components of internal control to specific budget execution controls in a sample process

Explain the difference between an internal control assessment and an audit and identify what each produces

Identify the audit standards and reporting requirements that apply to federal financial statement audits and explain what a material weakness versus a significant deficiency means

Build a sample audit finding using the condition, criteria, cause, effect, and recommendation structure

Explain the purpose of a corrective action plan and describe how findings are tracked to closure

List the data integrity and reporting risks in a financial management system and identify the control that mitigates each

Complete a timed mixed set of questions spanning formulation, execution, funds management, and fiscal law and score the result by domain

Re-derive the fiscal law tests and budget execution sequence from memory without notes and compare against your week 1 and 2 deliverables

Rewrite your weakest explanations in the style the exam expects and identify the specific misconception behind each miss

Reconcile conflicting rules you have encountered, such as time limits versus bona fide needs, and document the resolution

Review every error log entry from week 7 and confirm the corrected reasoning without notes

Complete a full-length timed simulation and compare the domain breakdown to your week 7 baseline

Recite the key statutes, tests, and reporting chains from memory in a rapid self-quiz

Identify your two weakest remaining areas and produce a targeted one-page refresher for each