Plain-English definitions for the acronyms and terms federal financial management professionals use every day. Search by term, expansion, or definition.
Federal law that prohibits obligating or expending funds in excess of, or in advance of, an appropriation. Violations are reportable to Congress and the President.
The agency-level subdivision of an apportionment that authorizes a subordinate organization to incur obligations within a specific amount.
The OMB action that distributes appropriated funds to an agency by time period, activity, or project to prevent overspending.
A certification administered by the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) for defense financial management professionals.
A certification administered by AGA for federal, state, and local government financial managers.
Slang for the various appropriation types (O&M, RDT&E, Procurement, MILPERS, MILCON) — each with its own purpose and period of availability.
A standardized ERP system used by many defense agencies for financial management and accounting.
The actual MIPR form used to obligate and transfer funds across DoD components.
The DoD's official system for booking travel, generating vouchers, and reimbursing official travel expenses.
DoD 7000.14-R — the comprehensive financial management policy guidance issued by OUSD(C).
The DoD's five-year program and financial plan covering the budget year plus four out-years.
The Army's ERP system for general fund financial management.
Treasury's system agencies use to submit budgetary and proprietary financial data for governmentwide reporting.
Appropriation used for major construction projects. Generally five-year money.
A document used to transfer funds between DoD components or to a non-DoD federal agency to acquire goods or services.
The Navy's enterprise resource planning system for financial and supply management.
Appropriation used for day-to-day operating costs. Generally one-year money.
A definite commitment that creates a legal liability of the government for the payment of goods or services.
The Executive Office of the President component that develops the President's Budget and oversees agency budget execution.
The DoD's principal financial management organization, responsible for budget, accounting, and audit policy across the department.
The actual payment — cash leaving Treasury — to liquidate an obligation.
The DoD's programming-phase deliverable that proposes how resources will be allocated across a Future Years Defense Program (FYDP).
The Department of Defense resource allocation process that turns strategy into funded programs across a multi-year cycle.
Appropriation used for research and development activities. Generally two-year money.
A common data structure mandated by Treasury and OMB so federal financial systems can report the same data the same way. Think of it as the federal chart of accounts framework.
A unique identifier assigned by Treasury for every appropriation or fund account. The address used to track money from Congress to execution.
The standardized chart of accounts that all federal agencies use for proprietary and budgetary accounting.
The glossary expands every week. If you need a term we haven't added yet, email admin@nerd-fed.com and we'll prioritize it.